Feds propose land controls to preserve Nev. sage grouse
By Steve Tetreult, Las Vegas Review-Journal
WASHINGTON — The Department of Interior on Thursday proposed added controls across 17 million acres in rural Nevada and northeastern California to preserve habitat and avoid an endangered species listing for the imperiled sage grouse.
Solar and wind energy development would be excluded or subject to added scrutiny across Northern Nevada, according to a new environmental impact report. Controls would be put in place for geothermal and oil and gas exploration over 15 million acres and restricted outright in 1.5 million acres of the most sensitive areas where the range birds flock.
There would be potential effects on mining and grazing in the best remaining areas for the grouse, whose population has dropped from the millions to about 200,000 to 500,000 across the West.