"Sage Grouse: Zinke To Order Review Of Conservation Plans"

"Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke today announced a review of federal greater sage grouse conservation plans to determine in part if they are hindering energy production on public lands.

Zinke, who has been a vocal critic of the Obama-era sage grouse plans, will sign a secretarial order tomorrow to establish a review panel to look at both federal- and state-level efforts to protect the birds and possibly recommend significant changes to how they are managed.

'While we in the federal government have a responsibility under the Endangered Species Act to take action, we also want to be a good neighbor, a good partner and recognize that a lot of the state agencies and the work that has been done thus far are really the forefront of the efforts,' Zinke said."

Jennifer Yachnin and Kellie Lunney report for Greenwire June 7, 2017.