03/05/10

CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) _ The Interior Department says it won't list
sage grouse as endangered or threatened but will classify the bird
among species that are candidates for federal protection.

The finding is good news for the wind energy and oil and gas
industries, which will still face scrutiny in grouse habitat but
will have more leeway than if the bird were listed.

Interior Secretary Ken Salazar announced Friday that listing is
warranted but precluded by higher priorities.

The finding validates years of effort by some Western states to
map the birds' sagebrush habitat and take other steps to prevent a
sage grouse listing.

A chicken-sized, brown bird, sage grouse inhabit about half of
their historical range. They are found in 11 Western states and
western Canada.


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