House Committee on Natural Resources Chairman Rob Bishop (UT-01) today issued the following statement in support of Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper's (D) lawsuit against the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service over the agency's decision, under the Endangered Species Act (ESA), to list the Gunnison sage grouse as a “Threatened” species and designate more than 1.4 million acres in portions of eastern Utah and western Colorado.

"It is my hope that governors across the country take note of what is happening in Colorado.  The Gunnison sage grouse decision is emblematic of the federal government’s utter disregard for data-driven decisions and state and local input in ESA listing determinations. This is part of a broader radical agenda where science is neglected, successful state-led conservation efforts are ignored, and critical habitat designations are increasingly driven by environmental lawsuits and closed-door settlement agreements. It’s an agenda that’s failing at species restoration and harming local economies in growing numbers. I, along with many other Republicans and Democrats in the House and Senate, support Governor Hickenlooper’s decision to stand up against this Administration and do what is right for his state."