RENO - The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) has new information about the status of some population management units (PMUs) of the Bi-State Distinct Population Segment (DPS) of greater sage-grouse along the California-Nevada border. On Oct. 28, 2013, the Service proposed to list the Bi-State DPS as threatened under the Endangered Species Act (ESA), and to designate approximately 1.86 million acres of critical habitat.
The Service has also extended, by six months, the final determination of whether or not to list the Bi-State DPS as a threatened species. The final listing determination will be published on or before April 28, 2015.
The U.S. Geological Survey's (USGS) Western Ecological Research Center compiled data spanning 11 years (from 2002 through 2012), collected by the Nevada Department of Wildlife, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, the University of Nevada, Reno, the University of Idaho, and the USGS.
The Service will consider this new information, as well as input received during former and current public comment periods, in determining whether the species requires ESA protection.
This new information, a copy of the proposed listing and critical habitat rules that were published on Oct. 28, 2013, and other information about the Bi-State DPS of greater sage-grouse, are available at www.fws.gov/nevada/, www.regulations.gov, or through the Nevada Fish and Wildlife Office at (775) 861-6300.
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