Cattle VS Sage Grouse

Yet another comment period born from the loins of the antis. This one is between the ranchers and antis over critical habitat for the sage grouse. See cattle graze on BLM land, the same land grouse live on. Antis claim the cattle disrupt the grouse's habitat.
Imagine that another animal violating the ESA , can they do that? What restriction can we place on a cow, do we take their bells away & segregate them so they can't herd up or would that be animal cruelty?

This was mentioned by the National Trappers Association this past winter as being an important issue because it could eventually affect trapping in the listed areas.
I figured since it was considered important it should be posted where folks can see petition information. Please follow the link for the full report.

OK here is a short version and info for the comment period.

[Federal Register: April 29, 2008 (Volume 73, Number 83)][Proposed Rules] [Page 23170-23172]From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov] [DOCID:fr29ap08-24]
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Fish and Wildlife Service
50 CFR Part 17 [FWS-R1-ES-2008-0050; 1111 FY07 MO-B2]

Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants;

90-Day Finding on a Petition to List the Western Sage-Grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus phaios) as Threatened or Endangered AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of 90-day petition finding and initiation of status review.

SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce a 90-day finding on a petition to list the western sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus phaios) as threatened or endangered under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act).

We find that the petition presents substantial scientific or commercial information indicating that listing the western sage-grouse may be warranted. Therefore, with the publication of this notice, we are initiating a status review to determine if listing the species is warranted. To ensure that the status review is comprehensive, we are soliciting scientific and commercial information regarding this species. We will initiate a determination on critical habitat for this species if and when we initiate a listing action.

DATES: To allow us adequate time to conduct this review, we request that information be submitted on or before June 27, 2008.
ADDRESSES: You may submit information by one of the following methods:

Federal eRulemaking Portal:

http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments. U.S. mail or hand-delivery: Public Comments Processing, Attn: FWS-R1-ES-2008-0050; Division of Policy and Directives Management; U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; 4401 N. Fairfax Drive, Suite 222; Arlington, VA 22203.
We will not accept e-mail or faxes.
We will post all information received at http://www.regulations.gov. This generally means that we will post any personal information you provide us (see the Information Solicited section below for more details). FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Project Manager, Oregon Fish and Wildlife Office, by mail (see ADDRESSES), telephone (503-231-6179), or facsimile (503-231-6195). Persons who use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TTD) may call the Federal Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 800-877-8339.

Reguards, BPB