11/17/09

BOISE, Idaho (AP) _ Gov. C.L. ``Butch'' Otter is fighting the
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's plan to list a rare plant as
threatened, saying ranchers are already working to protect it in
southwestern Idaho's sage-covered desert.

The Republican governor is challenging the listing under the
Endangered Species Act on Dec. 7 in U.S. District Court. He
contends the slickspot peppergrass population is at its highest
level since 2003.

Listing could result limits on grazing and other activities on
public lands and Otter fears it will scare ranchers from voluntary
efforts to save other sensitive species like sage grouse, the Idaho
Statesman reported Tuesday.

Federal officials and environmentalists say the plant's habitat
is vulnerable, due to wildfire and invasive plants.

Todd Tucci, an environmental lawyer in Boise, says he looks
forward to persuading a judge ``the governor doesn't know the
different between real science and cowboy science.''

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Information from: Idaho Statesman, http://www.idahostatesman.com

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
APNP-11-17-09 1156MST<