The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has extended the public-comment period on the proposal to declare the population of sage grouse along the California-Nevada border a threatened species.
The 45-day extension includes a rule to increase flexibility for land-management practices intended to benefit the bird.
The proposal is to designate 1.86 million acres as critical habitat for the species.
“This process is important so that any final decision made by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service reflects all of the best information available,” said State Supervisor Ted Koch.
Comments will be accepted through Feb. 10. They can be submitted viaregulations.gov at docket numbers FWS-R8-ES-2013-0042 and FWS-R8-ES-2013-0072. Look under “Proposed Rules” and click on “Comment Now.”
People can also submit hard-copy comments by mail to the USFWS Division of Policy and Directives Management, 4401 Fairfax Dr., MS 2042-PDM, Arlington, Va. 22203.
The proposed rules are available at fws.gov/nevada or by contacting the Nevada office at 775-861-6300.