Washington, D.C. — The Department of Interior’s newly unveiled amended plans for the imperiled Greater Sage-Grouse are a giant step backward for ensuring this iconic species and the uniquely Western landscapes it relies upon endure for generations to come.

Tracy Stone-Manning, the National Wildlife Federation’s associate vice president for public lands, issued the following statement:

“The amended plans are a big step backward. It is just unconscionable to waste two years—while the imperiled sage grouse declines further—to try to unravel common-sense conservation plans just because a few special interests sought special favors.

“These uneven changes spell trouble for the bird and our public lands, adding layers of uncertainty that make it more likely that the bird will require listing under the Endangered Species Act—the exact outcome that Governors, sportsmen and landowners worked together for years to avoid.”