Sage Grouse Threaten Army

Sun., Feb. 8, 1998

Associated Press

Endangered species

Army maneuvers at the Yakima Training Center could be impacted by the proposed state listing of the sage grouse as a threatened species.

Fewer than 1,000 of the prairie grouse exist in the state, and about 400 of those call the U.S. Army’s 326,000-acre Yakima Training Center home, according to state and Army wildlife officials.

Another 600 birds are believed to live in Douglas and Grant counties.

The sage grouse population, which is dependent on sagebrush for food, shelter and breeding habitat, has declined from an estimated 3,700 birds in 1970. Wildlife officials link the decline with sagebrush destruction, mainly caused by agriculture.

On April 4-5, the Fish and Wildlife Commission is scheduled to take action on the listing proposal.

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