Today, House Natural Resources Committee Ranking Republican Rob Bishop (R-Utah) issued the following statement on the Department of the Interior’s released sage grouse record of decision.  

“Sage Grouse these days, similar to the Chicago Cubs, are doing better than fine. For years, state and local conservation efforts and monitoring have verified an increase in the birds’ population and is proof that federal government intervention isn’t the answer to saving a species. Unlike during the Obama administration, which turned a blind eye to local efforts and only seemed to listen to extreme special interest groups, it is now refreshing to have an administration that cares more about species recovery than just controlling more land. It is important we recognize these tremendous local efforts and millions in local taxpayer dollars that states like Utah have provided over the past several years which have paid off in helping this species recover and flourish. Going forward, we should remember the sage grouse example as a collaborative model for state and federal cooperation, and to recognize that species recovery succeeds best when it is done in partnership with states and local wildlife managers.”