Threatened Status for the Bi-State Distinct Population Segment of Greater Sage-Grouse With Special Rule; Proposed Rule

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), propose to list the Bi-State distinct population segment (DPS) of greater sage- grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus) as threatened under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). We also propose a special rule under section 4(d) of the Act to provide for the conservation of the Bi-State DPS of greater sage-grouse. If finalized, the effect of this regulation would be to add the Bi-State DPS of greater sage-grouse to the List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife, extend the Act's protections to this DPS, and establish a 4(d) special rule for the conservation of this DPS. Elsewhere in today's Federal Register, we propose to designate critical habitat under the Act for the Bi-State DPS of greater sage-grouse.