Greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus) COSEWIC assessment and status report: chapter 10

Existing Protection or Other Status Designations

Canada

Due to declining population trends and limited distribution, the urophasianus subspecies of Greater Sage-Grouse was listed by COSEWIC as Threatened in 1997 and upgraded to Endangered in 1998. The C. u. phaios subspecies was listed as Extirpated in 1997. Provincial representatives established a national Sage-Grouse Recovery Team in 1997. The team is comprised of representatives from federal and provincial governments, land managers, landowners, conservation organizations and industry. The species was listed under Schedule 1 of the Species at Risk Act in 2003 (Lungle 2006). In 2001 and 2006, the Canadian Sage-Grouse recovery strategy reviewed the biology and background of the species and provided an outline for conservation and recovery (CSGRT 2001; Lungle 2006).

Saskatchewan

Saskatchewan listed the Greater Sage-Grouse as provincially threatened in 1987 based on a declining population and reduction of range. Their status was officially upgraded to endangered in the Wild Species at Risk Regulations in 1999. Legislation under the Wildlife Habitat Protection Act prevents cultivation of native grasslands and the sale of crown land containing Greater Sage-Grouse habitat (Aldridge and Brigham 2003). Furthermore, they are legally afforded protection on private, provincial and federal lands under part V of The Saskatchewan Wildlife Act. These regulations prohibit capture, killing or possession of the species and afford protection to breeding sites. Permanent development is prohibited within 500 m of a lek site and no construction is allowed within 100 m of leks between 15 March and 15 May (Saskatchewan Environment 2000). Similarly, development is restricted within 500 m of nests between 15 April and 15 June (Saskatchewan Environment 2000).

Alberta

In a review of the status of Alberta wildlife in 1996, Greater Sage-Grouse was included on a blue-list of species considered at risk (Alberta Environmental Protection 1997). In 2000 the species was listed provincially as endangered (Schedule 6, Part 1, sub-part 12, of Alberta Wildlife Regulation 143/97).

United States

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service completed a status review of the Greater Sage-Grouse throughout its range in 2005 and determined that the species did not warrant protection under the Endangered Species Act at that time (USFWS 2005). No federal laws afford the species any protection (Connelly et al. 2004). In 2000, the Gunnison Sage-Grouse became a Candidate for protection under the Endangered Species Act and in 2005, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced that they would be preparing a proposed rule to consider placing the Gunnison Sage-Grouse on the Endangered Species list.

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