At a Full Committee hearing today on energy production on state versus federal lands, Utah Lt. Governor Greg Bell took a moment during his testimony to discuss the potential economic impacts of the sage-grouse being listed under the Endangered Species Act.

He notes how states have effectively worked together with federal and environmental groups to create plans to protect the sage grouse, like in Utah where they created a dynamic plan that would protect 94% of the sage grouse population in the state. This collaborative work is being threatened by the Fish and Wildlife Service’s potential listing of the species.

In March, Natural Resources Committee Chairman Doc Hastings sent a letter to the Department of the Interior raising concerns of scientific integrity and the imposition of arbitrary deadlines surrounding the decision to potentially list the sage-grouse under the ESA. Click here to read.