Officials sign landmark pact to protect Northern Nevada sage grouse

CARSON CITY — Gov. Brian Sandoval hosted state and federal officials along with executives of a global mining company Tuesday to sign what was hailed as a landmark agreement designed to protect Nevada’s sagebrush ecosystem and a chicken-size bird that depends on it.

The agreement with Newmont Mining Corp. covers roughly 1.5 million acres and implements the state’s conservation credit system — the cornerstone of Nevada’s plan devised in an effort to stave off a federal listing of sage grouse under the Endangered Species Act.

“This agreement brings the sagebrush conservation system from theory to reality,” Sandoval said in a signing ceremony at the state Capitol.

Janice Schneider, assistant secretary for land and minerals at the U.S. Interior Department, said the mitigation credit system is “the first of its kind” in the nation and may be used as a model for other Western states as they strive to achieve protections for the bird while allowing mining, ranching and other activities crucial to rural economies.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in 2010 determined federal protection for the bird found in 11 Western states was warranted but precluded because of other priorities. Environmentalists sued and a federal judge ordered the service to make a definitive finding. That spurred an unprecedented effort by states to devise their own strategies to protect the bird. States feared a listing by the federal government would lead to severe land restrictions and decimate rural economies and lifestyles.

In September, Interior Secretary Sally Jewell announced that the two-year effort paid off and a listing was not necessary. Rather, she said, protections could be achieved through other land-use management plans.

Nevada’s plan at first was met with skepticism by federal officials, but Sandoval said they gave the state time to try to make it work.

“I’ve pleased we’re here to recognize the hard work of everyone,” he said.

The 42-page agreement sets up a credit system, whereby disturbances to sage grouse habitat may be allowed with enhancements and protections on other sage grouse territory, with the ultimate goal of achieving a net gain for sagebrush species.

Jeff White, Newmont’s North America director of renewable resources, said the agreement covers not only the company’s mining activities in Nevada but also its ranching operations. White is also vice president of Elko Land and Livestock Co., a Newmont Mining subsidiary.

The ranching operation includes federal grazing allotments on public land and hosts untold numbers of sage grouse. White said this spring that 173 birds were counted at just one lek on the property. A lek is a traditional mating ground.

Invasive species, particularly cheat grass, and the fire hazard they create are a primary threat to sagebrush ecosystems. One pilot project Newmont will conduct involves targeted grazing on privately-held land to improve the health of desirable plants and manage cheat grass.

Ted Koch, Nevada supervisor of the Fish and Wildlife Service, said more than 350 animal and 3,500 plant species could benefit from the coordinated conservation effort.

Signing of the agreement comes as a federal judge in Reno weighs a decision on a lawsuit filed by Nevada Attorney General Adam Laxalt, nine counties, ranchers and some mining companies challenging the federal government’s land use planning amendments and a temporary freeze on new mining claims enacted to protect sage grouse habitat.

Laxalt joined the lawsuit in fall 2015 over Sandoval’s objection. Laxalt maintains the federal government’s land-use plans amounted to government overreach that will hinder Nevada’s growth and success. Sandoval said the suit was premature and he preferred to work with federal officials on a compromise.

U.S. District Judge Miranda Du has not yet ruled on the suit, though she earlier denied a preliminary injunction sought by plaintiffs.

Contact Sandra Chereb at schereb@reviewjournal.com or 775-461-3821. Follow @SandraChereb on Twitter.