The Verdict Is In: State Management Plans Work

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

The Verdict Is In: State Management Plans Work

Fmr. Federal BLM Director Warns of ‘Federal Unilateralism’ Preaches
‘Stewardship of Federal Lands’ to Protect Sage-grouse

May 19, 2015                                                              Contact: [email protected]

                                                                                                                     (703) 535-3390

National Desk: Ryan Benson, President of BigGame Forever, released the following statement following this morning’s U.S. House Natural Resources Committee hearing on “Empowering State Management of Greater Sage Grouse”:

“Chairman Rob Bishop and members of the House Committee on Natural Resources deserve to be commended for exploring the most effective means possible of achieving Sage-grouse conservation,” Benson said. “The insightful commentary offered by state management officials shed important light on the effectiveness of state-led species conservation across nearly 165 million acres of western land. Clearly, experienced witnesses agree, a federal ESA listing and top-down unilateralism in land management decisions would undermine successful efforts that are already reaping benefits in our western states,” Benson concluded.

BACKGROUND

Full written committee testimony:

Kathleen Clarke http://naturalresources.house.gov/uploadedfiles/clarketestimony.pdf

Dustin Miller http://naturalresources.house.gov/uploadedfiles/millertestimonyfinal.pdf

John Swartout http://naturalresources.house.gov/uploadedfiles/swartouttestimony.pdf

Ed Arnett http://naturalresources.house.gov/uploadedfiles/arnetttestimony.pdf

BigGame Forever (www.biggameforever.org) is a non-profit membership organization of conservation-minded sportsmen committed to protecting the future of our outdoor heritage. BigGame Forever allows hunters and fishermen from around the United States to speak with one united voice to promote the protection of abundant wild game and the right of sportsmen to participate in outdoor recreation

To speak to Ryan Benson or a BigGame Forever representative on sage-grouse conservations issues, please email [email protected].

 PDF version can be found here

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