A Litigation Article from All-Creatures.org

Big Win for Sage Grouse in California and Nevada

From Center for Biological Diversity
May 2022

Without the Endangered Species Act’s legal protection, livestock grazing, development, and other threats will keep pushing them toward extinction.

Bi-State Sage-Grouse

Following a lawsuit by the Center for Biological Diversity and allies, a federal court just ruled that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service illegally withdrew its proposal to protect bistate sage grouse.

Found in and around the Mono Basin area along the California-Nevada border, bistate sage grouse are a genetically unique, isolated population of greater sage grouse — who are famous for their showy plumage and mating dances, when the males strut and make popping sounds with large, inflated air sacs.

These birds were first proposed for Endangered Species Act protection back in 2013, thanks to a petition and legal settlement with the Center and allies. After some legal back-and-forth, they were again moving toward safeguards until Trump blocked the path in 2020. This latest ruling reinstates the 2013 proposal and requires the Service to move forward with a new final decision.

“These rare dancing birds have a shot at survival thanks to this court decision,” said Center biologist Ileene Anderson. “Without the Endangered Species Act’s legal protection, livestock grazing, development, and other threats will keep pushing them toward extinction.”

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