Sage grouse gets support in Assembly

CARSON CITY — A resolution supporting sage grouse and its habitat flew through the Assembly on Tuesday.

The desert-dwelling bird has been teetering on the verge of the endangered species list. Last year, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service determined that while the bird warrants protection, other species take priority.

If the sage grouse were listed, the state would face drastic regulations that could prevent major business operations from opening in the bird’s vast habitat.

Assembly Concurrent Resolution 3 unanimously passed the Assembly. It now goes to the Senate.

The resolution voices support for efforts to protect and monitor the bird, and indicates the need to secure funding for the conservation efforts.

Sage grouse are spread throughout the Western United States, and an estimated 60,000 of the country’s 200,000 birds live in Nevada.