Columnist Paula DelGiudice: Bird could land on endangered list

Paula DelGiudice

Thursday, Dec. 20, 2001 | 9:39 a.m.

Paula DelGiudice's outdoors notebook appears weekly. Reach her at desertdenizens@aol.com.

The decline of sage grouse across the West has resulted in petitions for listings of local populations of sage grouse as an endangered species in Washington, Utah and Colorado, according to the Nevada Division of Wildlife.

Some concerned citizens have advocated a range-wide listing of the bird, including populations in Nevada. The listing of the sage grouse as an endangered species would have a significant impact on Nevada. Because the species is found statewide except in Clark County, land development, water use and recreational activities would be affected.

In response to these concerns, Gov. Kenny Guinn called for a statewide sage grouse conservation plan.

The governor's sage grouse conservation team is asking citizens to help with this important effort. Local groups are forming in many areas of the state to develop local plans.

The group's goal is to restore the sage grouse while keeping land use options flexible.

Although meetings will not be held in Clark County because there are no sage grouse here, local hunters who travel north to find the birds may be interested in the process.

These meetings are scheduled for January:

Washoe County -- 1 p.m. Jan. 9 at the NDOW Reno office, 1100 Valley Road, Reno.

Carson City, Douglas, Esmeralda, Lyon, Mineral and Storey counties -- 7 p.m. Jan. 16 at the Mason Valley Hatchery, Yerington.

Nye, Eureka and Lander counties -- 1 p.m. Jan. 8 at the Humboldt/Toiyabe National Forest Austin Ranger District Office, Austin.

Elko -- Jan. 10, contact Gary Back at (775) 772-1301 for details.

The Corn Creek Christmas count is set for Dec. 29, also 6 a.m. to dusk. Meet at Santa Fe Station hotel-casino. Call 873-2005 for reservations.

The center features various exhibits and a bookstore. Park rangers operate the information desk. They are available to answer questions about the park, sell tickets for scheduled tours of Lehman Caves, and conduct the cave tours.

For campers, Lower Lehman Campground, with 11 sites, remains open year-round. The campground is located along the Wheeler Peak Scenic Drive, 2 1/2 miles from the visitor's center. The fee is $10 per night. For information, call (775) 234-7331, extension 0.