Ag secretary promises more sage grouse spending across West

BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) — U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack says his agency plans to spend more than $200 million over the next three years on programs to protect greater sage grouse — regardless of whether the bird receives federal protections.

Vilsack told The Associated Press he wants to almost double protected habitat for the chicken-sized bird to 8 million acres across the West.

A formal announcement was planned Thursday.

It's part of a campaign by the Obama administration to demonstrate its commitment to staving off further declines in grouse populations.

The bird's fate has become a potential political liability heading into the 2016 election.

Federal protections could prompt limits on energy drilling, grazing and other activities across its 11-state range.

Republicans have seized on the issue as evidence of wildlife protection laws run amuck.

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