U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s decision leaves Wyoming businesses in limbo

WASHINGTON, DC — Today, US Senator John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) released the following statement regarding the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s (USFWS) decision to list the sage grouse as threatened or warranted for listing but precluded by higher priorities:

“Wyoming has worked closely with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for years to protect the sage grouse and its habitat. 

“Today, while the Obama Administration recognized our efforts, true recognition is a complete delisting. This decision has added more confusion to the process.  Wyoming is still left with a black cloud over our job market.

“Wyoming companies need certainty to make investments that will create thousands of jobs, and provide energy security for America.  The USFWS determination creates more questions than it answers.  People in Wyoming who are looking for work or worrying about their current job now must continue to wait for a concrete decision from the Administration.” 
 

“U.S. Fish and Wildlife should recognize the protection efforts of the state and make a definitive decision against listing the sage grouse.”

Background:

A “warranted but precluded” status refers to a species that has the grounds for an endangered classification but other species have been designated as higher priorities. The higher priority species are given the endangered classification.