Cramer Statement on Department of Interior's Greater Sage-grouse Endangered Species Decision

Press Release

Congressman Kevin Cramer released the following statement after Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell announced today the Greater Sage-Grouse would not be listed under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). Part of the Greater Sage-Grouse habitat is found in southwestern North Dakota.

I applaud Secretary Jewell's decision to not list the Greater Sage-Grouse under the ESA. Its listing would have caused severe repercussions on agriculture, energy production, and outdoor recreation activities in the state. Wildlife resources are best managed by private landowners, industry groups, as well as state and local officials. Their efforts to protect the Greater-Sage Grouse are an example for governments and wildlife groups to replicate across the country.

Since first being elected to the House of Representatives, Congressman Cramer has been involved in oversight and reform of the Endangered Species Act, including a field hearing in 2013 specifically on Greater Sage-Grouse in Billings, Mont. During the hearing, testimony was gathered to determine the potential impacts of the Greater Sage-Grouse being listed as an endangered species.

Between 1999 and 2003, environmental groups filed eight petitions to add an ESA listing for the Greater Sage-Grouse. In 2005, the FWS determined it did not warrant a listing. Five lawsuits were subsequently filed by environmental groups against the FWS. In 2011, a settlement was reached requiring the Fish and Wildlife Service to make a final listing determination no later than September 30, 2015.

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