Date: 08/31/2006
Final
Wildlife Briefing on Sage Grouse Preservation
COMMITTEE ON CAPITAL DEVELOPMENT
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10:07 AM -- Division of Wildlife Briefing on Sage Grouse Preservation
Mr. Tom Remington, Terrestrial Section Manager, DOW, briefed the committee on the department's efforts to preserve sage grouse habitat. The committee received a packet of slides explaining the DOW's preservation efforts (Attachment E), which Mr. Remington discussed in detail. Mr. Remington explained the habitat range of the nine species of grouse that the department is attempting to protect, historic efforts to preserve sage grouse habitat, and future plans for habitat preservation.
10:19 AM
Mr. Remington explained the difficulties associated with maintaining healthy sage grouse populations, and responded to questions regarding volunteer assistance received by the DOW in its preservation efforts. Mr. Remington then discussed the numbers of birds required to maintain healthy sage grouse populations, and responded to questions regarding the impact of snowpack on grouse mating habits.
10:29 AM
Mr. Remington discussed the impact of weather, disease, and habitat preservation and improvement on sage grouse protection efforts. Mr. Remington then detailed the various areas in the state being targeted for habitat preservation, and the status of preservation efforts in these areas. Mr. Remington completed his presentation by discussing projected human population growth and densities in Northwest Colorado, and the impact of this growth on habitat preservation efforts.
10:39 AM
Mr. Remington responded to questions regarding sage grouse migration patterns and the ideal habitat for sage grouse. Discussion ensued regarding the potential for relocating struggling species of sage grouse to areas they don't currently occupy. Mr. Remington then responded to questions regarding the sage grouse diet and efforts on the part of the DOW and the scientific community to raise sage grouse in captivity for introduction into the wild.
10:51 AM
Mr. Remington addressed a question regarding the adaptability of sage grouse to areas outside of Colorado not heavily impacted by human activity.
10:53 AM
The committee revisited the potential for holding a meeting soon after the general election or, in the alternative, holding a vote on the DOW Shell transaction by electronic means.
10:56 AM
The committee adjourned.