Greater sage-grouse
Credit: Tom Koerner/USFWS

March 11, 2024 - The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) is seeking data and public comments on a petition to list the greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus) under the California Endangered Species Act (CESA).

On Nov. 21, 2022, the Center for Biological Diversity submitted a petition to the California Fish and Game Commission to list the greater sage-grouse as a threatened or endangered species under CESA. The Commission published findings of its decision to make the species a candidate for listing as a threatened or endangered species on June 30, 2023. As a result of the status review process, the greater sage-grouse now receives the same legal protections afforded to an endangered or threatened species until that process is completed.

CDFW has 12 months from June 30, 2023, to conduct a status review that will inform the Commission’s final decision on whether to list the greater sage-grouse under CESA. As part of the status review process, CDFW is soliciting information regarding the species’ ecology, genetics, life history, distribution, abundance, habitat, the degree and immediacy of threats to its reproduction or survival, the adequacy of existing management, and recommendations for management of the species.

CDFW requests that data and comments be submitted before April 12, 2024, to allow sufficient time to evaluate this information during the status review period. Please submit data and comments to CDFW by email at wildlifemgt@wildlife.ca.gov and include “greater sage-grouse” in the subject line. Data or comments may also be submitted by mail to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, Wildlife Diversity Program, Attn: CESA Unit, P.O. Box 944209, Sacramento, CA 94244-2090.

CDFW will produce a peer-reviewed report based upon the best scientific information available, which will include a recommendation as to whether the petitioned action to list greater sage-grouse as threatened or endangered under CESA is warranted. The report will be publicly available on CDFW’s website for at least 30 days before the Commission considers acting on the petition.

The Commission, which is a legally separate entity from CDFW, is charged with making the final determination on whether to list a species as threatened or endangered under CESA. CDFW serves in a scientific advisory role to the Commission during this process. See the California Fish and Game Commission webpage for details on submitting comments to the Commission and receiving email alerts for upcoming Commission meetings.

The listing petition, CDFW’s petition evaluation report and updates on the listing process are available on the Commission’s website.

The greater sage-grouse is found in sagebrush habitat throughout two distinct areas of California. The bi-state sage grouse population consists of birds from Alpine, Mono and Inyo counties, while the northeastern California population occurs in Modoc, Lassen, Plumas and Sierra counties. Greater sage-grouse are lekking birds, which means males perform elaborate displays to attract mates at communal breeding sites.

The birds’ primary food source is sagebrush, but they also eat a variety of other plants, including chicory, dandelion, clover, buckwheat, yarrow and milk-vetch. Insects like grasshoppers, beetles and ants are an important food source for chicks and hens. Threats include the loss, modification and fragmentation of habitat, as well as predation, climate change, loss of genetic diversity and disease.
Source: CDFW