In the Rockies today, grizzly bears, sage grouse and forest roads are in the news.
Alberta officials have decided to extend a three-year moratorium on grizzly bear hunts in the Canadian province for another year to give scientists time to complete DNA studies to get a better estimate of how many bears roam the province.
But the government stopped short of ordering a new review of the species status that could result in an endangered listing for the big bruin.
In the United States, the U.S. FIsh and Wildlife Service is taking another, court-ordered review of the sage grouse.
The 11 Western states in which the species is found have until June 24 to provide the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service with estimates of how many birds are in those states, threats to the species and what each state is doing to protect the species.
The federal agency is supposed to decide by December if the bird should be protected.
And U.S. Department of Agriculture Undersecretary Mark Rey is due in Montana today to talk with county officials about ongoing discussions between the U.S. Forest Service and Plum Creek about road easements.
County officials in the Big Sky State said they should be included in discussions that could clear the way for development of Plum Creek lands as the counties will have to provide services to any new developments.
