EP 15 | District Of Conservation: Greater Sage Grouse, Sportsmen’s Package, WOTUS Reforms

In Episode 15 of District of Conservation, I discuss a multitude of issues related to sportsmen including the battle of the sage grouse conservation plan of 2015 and revisions to it; the “Sportsmen’s Package” to pass in Congress; and changes to the Waters of the United States (WOTUS) rule clarifying “navigable waters” designations.

Here’s the full episode here:

Here’s the gist of today’s episode:

• I discuss the greater sage grouse plan of 2015; its conservation status; the proposed reforms for greater state management of sage grouse conservation efforts;
• I discuss the “Sportsmen’s Package”  of legislative bills that sportsmen want passed during the Lame Duck session
• I discuss newly announced plans to scale back the overreaches of the 2015 Waters of the U.S. which subjects all bodies of water, including puddles and ditches, to regulation.

 

*SHOW NOTES*

SAGE GROUSE

IUCN Status on Sage Grouse and Threats to It: www.iucnredlist.org/species/22679503/92816586

Final Records of Decision from September 2015 explaining plan for greater sage grouse: www.doi.gov/pressreleases/historic-conservation-campaign-protects-greater-sage-grouse

Pew on 2015 sage grouse plan:www.pewtrusts.org/en/research-and-analysis/articles/2015/09/22/sage-grouse-habitat-protected-by-historic-obama-administration-plans

Wyoming Tribune Eagle on state’s rights angle to management of sage grouse and WY Governor opinionwww.wyomingnews.com/news/local_news/new-rules-give-states-more-authority-over-sage-grouse/article_db00a038-fb88-11e8-882a-ff6d5a2e1e6f.html

TRCP Article on Rule Change: www.trcp.org/2018/12/06/blms-revised-sage-grouse-plans-continue-conservation-create-uncertainty/

SPORTSMEN PACKAGE – LAME DUCK 

elknetwork.com/ask-congress-to-pass-sportsmens-package/#/25/

www.cahss.org/conservation-leaders-urge-congress-to-pass-sportsmens-priorities/?fbclid=IwAR2qNyhFatgPV-BC679RPloqyjH2h00NCGoBTpOGAdSedOCFYQAK7ZQsEns

congressionalsportsmen.org/the-media-room/news/csf-asks-congressional-leaders-not-to-be-lame-ducks

www.sportsmensalliance.org/news/alert-package-of-pro-sportsmens-bills-need-your-support/

WOTUS Rule Reform

www.epa.gov/newsreleases/epa-and-army-propose-new-waters-united-states-definition