Walden, Ranchers Tout Sage Grouse Bill

The U.S. House Armed Services Committee has approved a provision in the annual defense authorization bill that would prohibit the Obama Administration from declaring the sage grouse an endangered species for 10 years.

“A federal listing of the sage grouse could shut down countless ranches and rural communities throughout Eastern Oregon,” said Walden. “The impacts on our economy could make the spotted owl look like child’s play. And it could also severely harm our military readiness and national security,” said U.S. Rep. Greg Walden (R-Hood River). “I was proud to work with the House Armed Services Committee to include this common-sense provision in the annual defense bill. A listing delay of 10 years would give states like Oregon time to implement locally-driven management plans without heavy-handed federal mandates.”

Walden said the sage grouse provision was included in the defense bill because an endangered species listing could impact the military’s ability to train on key lands throughout the United States, potentially harming military readiness and national security.

Ranchers in Eastern Oregon praised the bill and Walden’s efforts on it.

“A 10 year delay of a listing decision would be fantastic news for ranchers and rural communities in Eastern Oregon,” said Eastern Oregon rancher Bob Skinner, secretary/treasurer for National Public Lands Council and past President of the Oregon Cattlemen’s Association. “Listing the sage grouse under the Endangered Species Act would cause tremendous harm to our industry and communities across the West and impede the local conservation efforts that are underway. I thank Rep. Walden for his work to get this provision into legislation and look forward to it moving through the process.”