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Because it is so depleted, Hall said, its habitat has to be aggressively protected.
• A similar species, the greater sage grouse, has more of an impact on the West. The greater grouse, while still below its peak population, is healthier and doesn't require as stringent on-the-ground development limitations, Hall said.
• But its range is far bigger, covering 160 million acres in 11 Western states. That land includes many of the areas under oil and gas development as part of the ongoing energy boom.
• "We don't see as many conflicts between energy production and habitat protection with the Gunnison sage grouse as we do with the greater sage grouse," Hall said.
• A decision on whether to list the greater sage grouse as endangered is due next year. Western states fear that the bird will receive federal protection, inhibiting development and ranching in huge parts of their territory.
• The BLM's protections for the Gunnison sage grouse are already causing economic damage, said Kathleen Sgamma of the Western Energy Alliance. The steps the federal government will take if the greater sage grouse is listed will be more devastating.
• "It's a microcosm of what's happening across the West," she said of the latest BLM policy.
• Last week, the Western Governors Association passed a resolution urging the federal government to defer to states on greater sage grouse conservation.
• On Tuesday, Utah legislators set aside $2 million to lobby the federal government to postpone its expected September 2015 listing of the greater grouse.
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• PIERRE, S.D. (AP) -- The new director of South Dakota's Legislative Research Council will make more than the governor and his senior level staff.
• Lawmakers announced Friday that Jason Hancock will take over the position beginning August 5. Hancock will move with his family to Pierre after working in Idaho state government.
• The director was appointed by the Legislature's Executive Board. Legislators do not have individual staff support, but rely on the nonpartisan council to help draft bills and provide fiscal estimates.
• Executive Board members say they raised the director's salary to $125,000 to draw a strong candidate and strengthen the legislative branch. Earlier this month the board increased the Auditor General's wage by $10,000.

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