DENVER (AP) — Interior Secretary Sally Jewell is in Colorado to tout efforts to save the greater sage grouse across the West one year after the federal government decided not invoke the Endangered Species Act to protect the rare bird.
Jewell traveled to a wildlife refuge outside Denver Wednesday as the Interior Department released a report listing steps taken so far to save the birds.
They include studies on the effects of energy development, new satellite-based maps to locate key habitat and efforts to protect those areas from fire and unwanted plants.
The report had few details about restrictions on energy development and ranching.
Jewell announced last year that conservation agencies would rely on local, state and federal cooperation and other measures instead of imposing potentially stricter rules under the Endangered Species Act.
