Bi-state Overview
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) has determined that the Bi-state Sage-grouse is a distinct population segment of Greater Sage-grouse. Similarly, as the USFWS considers the Bi-state population for listing under the Endangered Species Act, their decision is distinct from the deliberations and eventual decision regarding the Greater Sage-grouse.
Furthermore, the USFWS will make its decision for the Bi-state population by September 30, 2013.
In an effort to proactively implement conservation measures before the USFWS makes its decision on the Bi-state, the Nevada Department of Wildlife – in partnership with local working groups, industries, California Fish and Game, the Nevada and California BLM, US Forest Service, National Resource Conservation Service, and the USFWS – has been working aggressively to address the management and data issues for the Bi-state.
To date, the Bi-state Executive Oversight Committee (EOC) has directed and facilitated implementation of the effort, meeting approximately every two weeks since the summer of 2011. As a result, the Bi-state Local Working Group was re-vitalized along with the Bi-state Technical Committee that wrote the original 2004 Conservation Plan.