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About The daily Astorian. (Astoria, Or.) 1961-current | View Entire Issue (Sept. 14, 2019)
B5 THE ASTORIAN • SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 2019 Sage grouse numbers stumble in Montana, across West By MATTHEW BROWN Associated Press BILLINGS, Mont. — Montana’s greater sage grouse population has fallen more than 40% over the past three years, mirroring recent declines across the U.S. West for the wide-ranging bird species that federal offi - cials rejected for protections in 2015. State wildlife offi cials estimate there were about 44,000 ground-dwell- ing sage grouse in Mon- tana this spring. The fi gure is included in a report to be delivered to state lawmakers later this month. Sage grouse once num- bered in the millions but have seen their range that stretches across portions of 11 states diminished by oil and gas drilling, wildfi res, grazing and other pressures. Grouse numbers also continued to drop in 2019 in Oregon, Idaho, Nevada and Wyoming. Weather can affect populations from year to year, and wildlife offi cials say those short-term cycles are most directly responsible for the recent declines. Montana’s drop from almost 78,000 grouse in 2016 was traced to an extreme drought in eastern parts of the state in 2017 that had prolonged impacts, said Catherine Wightman with Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks. The decline coincides with increased efforts to conserve grouse habitat, including by working with private landowners to adopt grazing and other practices that are more benefi cial to the bird. “That doesn’t mean those plans are not working and doing the right thing,” said Wightman. “We’re seeing this overall decline. The analysis shows overall the (population) peaks are get- ting a little lower and the valleys are getting a little lower. What we’d like to do Jerret Raff ety/Rawlins Daily Times Male sage grouses fi ght for the attention of females southwest of Rawlins, Wyoming. Montana, Wyoming and other Western states are reporting population declines for the birds in 2019. is stabilize our numbers.” Wyoming’s popula- tion drop was measured by counting the number of male birds strutting on grouse breeding grounds known as leks, said Sara DiRienzo with Wyoming Game and Fish. The number of birds per lek has dropped about 20 percent since 2018 and more than 40 percent since 2016, according to agency fi gures. This year’s numbers are still above the low levels reached in 2013, DiRienzo said, and likely refl ect dry conditions and extreme winter weather that caused many chicks to die. Wyoming does not have an overall population estimate. Brian Rutledge with the National Audubon Society said the population drops should not be written off just because they are cycli- cal, since ongoing habitat loss makes it harder for the bird’s numbers to rebound each time they drop. “We’re not in a position to say this is OK. We have too many things working against us,” he said. In Oregon, bird num- bers this year reached their lowest number since reli- able estimates have been Serving families for & Cremation Services generations Eric J. Anderson recorded beginning in 1996, said sage grouse conserva- tion coordinator Lee Fos- ter with the Oregon Depart- ment of Fish and Wildlife. The state counted approxi- mately 14,000 grouse, less than half the state’s target of 30,000 birds. “I’m very hopeful we’re at the bottom this year,” Foster said. “There is cause for concern even if the trend fi ts within what we would expect with the population cycle.” Grouse numbers in Idaho have dropped more than 50 percent since 2015. Nevada reported an 8 percent decline this year in lek counts of male birds. The bird’s population also was down in Utah, with the 2019 lek count marking a 61% decline from 2015, according to state wildlife offi cials. Part of that low number was attributed to a snow pack that lingered lon- ger than usual, preventing people from getting to some of the areas they normally count, said Blair String- ham of the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources. The 2015 decision not to protect sage grouse under the Endangered Species Act came after state and federal offi cials crafted sweeping conservation plans for the birds across their range. Under Republican Presi- dent Donald Trump, the Inte- rior Department has relaxed restrictions on mining and drilling that were included in the original plans adopted under his Democratic pre- decessor, Barack Obama. Impacts from those changes are expected to be long-term and not refl ected in the latest population numbers. AP writers Brady McCombs in Salt Lake City and Scott Sonner in Reno, Nevada, contributed to this report. EVENT RENTAL SPACE AVAILABLE Birthdays, Meetings, Corporate Gatherings, etc. New Owner of Hughes-Ransom Mortuaries Since March 2019 Eric is no stranger to the area or to the Hughes-Ransom Mortuaries and has been part of the family for years. Eric moved back to Oregon from Park Rapids, MN and has been a managing the Hughes-Ransom Mortuaries since last spring. Eric was born and raised in Fosston, Minnesota the youngest of seven children. Being 100% Norwegian, Eric is very familiar with our local Scandinavian heritage. Eric attended Concordia College in Moorhead, Minnesota before graduating from the University of Minnesota with a Bachelor’s Science Degree in Mortuary Science. Soon after graduating from college, Eric moved to Eugene, OR and worked in the funeral business 18 years. Indoor capacity of 99 people. Covered outdoor area. Roll up doors for outdoor usage/activities, includes a fire pit, and field use. Tables and chairs available as needed. Eric & his mother, Aldora Eric is the proud father of three children, Drew, Isabella and Olivia. Eric enjoys the outdoors, golfing, fishing, hunting and camping. Eric’s experience with midwestern traditions and west coast experience is a great addition to the community. Hughes- Ransom will always remain a family centered business and continues to offer the same great service you’ve come to expect. $ 300 FOR ALL DAY RENTAL www.hughes-ransom.com Astoria Seaside 576 12th St 503.325.2535 220 N. Holladay 503.738.6622 Call 503-325-4600 for more information 92937 Walluski Loop Astoria, Oregon Check out our website and Facebook page for 2019 events! WWW.CLATSOPCOFAIREXPO.COM
