Sage grouse DNA study maps crucial mating grounds in US West

<p>The Department of the Interior is changing how it protects a species of bird, and those changes are ruffling a whole lot of feathers.</p><p>The&nbsp;<a href="https://www.fws.gov/greatersagegrouse/speciesinfo.php" target="_blank">sage grouse</a>&nbsp;is a small, ground-dwelling bird. It&#39;s population has declined over the years, and now only as many as 500,000 are in existence.</p><p>The Obama administration unveiled a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.doi.gov/pressreleases/historic-conservation-campaign-protects-greater-sage-grouse" target="_blank">conservation plan</a>&nbsp;in 2015 to protect sage grouse habitats across 11 western states.</p><p>At that time,&nbsp;<a href="http://www.ipaa.org/icymi-federal-sage-grouse-plan-will-restrict-economic-development-west-hill/" target="_blank">energy companies</a>&nbsp;said the restrictions would have &quot;a severe economic impact on private land use and energy development.&quot;</p><p>Others said the conservation plan didn&#39;t go far enough and criticized the Obama administration for failing to provide the sage grouse protection under the Endangered Species Act.</p><p><b>SEE MORE: <a href="http://www.newsy.com/stories/interior-dept-recommends-shrinking-bears-ears-monument/">Secretary Of The Interior Recommends Shrinking Bears Ears Monument</a></b></p><p>Now, Trump administration Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke&nbsp;<a href="https://www.doi.gov/pressreleases/secretary-interior-ryan-zinke-statement-sage-grouse-report" target="_blank">is overhauling</a>&nbsp;that conservation plan to &quot;[ensure] conservation efforts do not impede local economic opportunities.&quot;</p><p>The recommendations would let states redraw boundaries of protected sage grouse habitats, set population goals and incorporate new leasing guidelines for oil and gas operators.</p><p>Unsurprisingly, this new plan has drawn criticism, too. A senior director at&nbsp;<a href="http://wilderness.org/press-release/doi-recommendations-put-entire-sage-grouse-landscape-risk-says-tws" target="_blank">The Wilderness Society</a>&nbsp;called Zinke&#39;s plan &quot;a sideways attempt to abandon habitat protection for unfettered oil and gas development.&quot;</p><p>The sage grouse isn&#39;t the only species the change could affect. The Obama-era conservation effort protected 350 other species of wildlife living on the same lands as the sage grouse.</p><hr><b>Trending stories at <a href="http://www.newsy.com">Newsy.com</a></b><ul class="inline-related-links"><li><a href="http://www.newsy.com/stories/airline-bumping-hits-lowest-rate-in-decades/">Airlines Are Bumping Far Fewer People From Flights</a></li><li><a href="http://www.newsy.com/stories/north-korea-says-it-s-considering-an-attack-on-guam/">North Korea Warns It Is Considering A Missile Attack On Guam</a></li><li><a href="http://www.newsy.com/stories/airbnb-deactivates-accounts-of-suspected-alt-right-users/">Airbnb Is Booting Users It Thinks Are Attending An &#039;Alt-Right&#039; Rally</a></li></ul>