Nevada's U.S. Sens. Harry Reid and Dean Heller are getting plenty of feedback on their proposal concerning protection for the sage grouse.
The two called their discussion draft, "Nevada Sagebrush Landscape Conservation and Economic Development Act."
"The possible listing of the Greater sage grouse as an endangered species will have major ramifications on rural life and the economies in Nevada and throughout the West," said Reid, the Democrat majority leader.
Heller, a Republican, said he's been asked more than once why he chose to sponsor the discussion draft with Reid and whether the provisions outlined in the draft fit with positions he's taken in the past.
"I'm trying to be pragmatic," said Heller. "I've seen the impact of listing animals in other states and the devastation it can cause. I want the state of Nevada to make these decisions."
Heller said the specifics of the bill are to be developed by the state, through Gov. Brian Sandoval's Sagebrush Ecosystem Council.
"I've received 100-plus text messages from people who have very specific suggestions about what should be in the legislation," Heller said. "We consider all feedback positive, except the feedback to do nothing; doing nothing is not an option."
Comments have dealt with wildfire as the chief sage grouse threat. Others have raised the predator issue and the fact that it isn't addressed in the BLM-Forest Service draft environmental impact statement.
There have also been questions about whether the state could win if it took U.S. Fish and Wildlife to court over the listing.
Heller said he thought the fire and predator concerns are valid.
As to a lawsuit, he pointed out court action is what forced USFWS to revisit its original decision against listing the sage grouse.
"If we sue, the case will come back to district court in Washington, D.C., which just got stacked with a bunch of liberals who I don't believe will see our side of the argument," Heller said, adding the effort to keep the bird from being listed is a "long shot. The odds are stacked against us."
The USFWS could list the bird as threatened or endangered but exempt some states if they present plans sufficient to protect the sage grouse.
Other questions have focused on the proposal to fast-track geothermal development in Elko, Churchill and Pershing counties. Reid said those counties were chosen because "these sites have advanced permitting work that would allow quicker development of geothermal energy resources,"
Heller added, "It doesn't limit development to sites in only those three counties. It's just a place to start."
Reid spoke to the portion of the discussion draft that calls for a conservation fee on development in areas identified as sage grouse habitat to fund restoration.
"This is a very difficult issue," said Reid, who compared the effort to protect Nevada's economy and the sage grouse to "threading a needle."
Reid can be contacted at sagegrouse@reid.senate.gov and Heller at sagegrouse@heller.senate.gov.
Contact Joyce Sheen at j.sheen@winnemuccapublishing.net[[In-content Ad]]
