BOULDER, Colo.
— The endangered sagebrush grouse has not been spotted in the U.S. since the mid-1980s, and its population has plummeted in recent years.
But biologists say the population is now back up to more than 100,000.
It is a significant boost from the population in northern Colorado, which was around 3,500 when the sagebrush was reintroduced in the late 1990s, according to the U-M wildlife institute.
“I think this is a huge success story, and the reason we’re here is because of the public, because of people who have been advocating for the sage grouper to be included in the endangered species list,” said Jennifer Moulton, a co-director of the Colorado Department of Natural Resources’ Office of Sages and the Colorado Sages Program.
The sage groupe has been a critical habitat for wildlife for decades, and wildlife scientists say the loss of the animals is a loss to the nation.
A few species of grouse are also being considered as endangered, and scientists are monitoring how the reintroduction of the grouse could impact their populations.
There is currently no confirmed cause for the decline of the sagebuzzards, but many have theorized that it could be related to the use of synthetic fertilizers.
Many of the species in the Colorado sagebrush refuge have also been targeted by the Environmental Protection Agency for the chemicals that they use to make synthetic fertilizer.
In the past, the agency has proposed a plan to allow the use and sale of synthetic products to the sageshowers.
This week, the EPA announced a plan that would allow the agency to allow synthetic fertilizer use to the state’s wild sagebrush, and allow it to continue to export the chemicals.
The EPA also released a plan for the use, production, and sale and distribution of the chemicals, which would also allow the state to export synthetic fertilites to the federal government.
We will not have synthetic fertilization to sell or distribute until we allow it,” said EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy.
Scientists say the proposed plan will allow the EPA to continue exporting synthetic fertilisers to the states, but not to the feds.
Moulton said the state is already selling synthetic fertiliser to the government, and that the agency is going to have to be proactive.”
They will be able to continue selling these synthetic fertilized products to those states that are eligible for the exemption,” she said.
So far, the sagegrass population has increased about 5 percent annually, with the population increasing about 8 percent in the past three years.
Moulson said the sagebush reintroduction plan is also a major step for the state.
Brazoria Wildlife Refuge in Colorado has become a breeding ground for the species, with several individuals in its range breeding.
With the population at less than 10,000, Moulson believes the reintroduced species could be in danger of being wiped out.