Voluntary agreements protect sage-grouse and landowners

Once abundant throughout the American West, greater sage-grouse have long been in decline in Washington state and throughout their historic range. Since 80 percent of the state’s current sage-grouse population occupies private property in the Columbia Basin, the future of the species depends on the continued stewardship of those working lands.

To support these efforts, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) has been working with a variety of stakeholders on a strategy that would conserve sage-grouse while protecting landowners’ livelihoods. Under a federal program called Candidate Conservation Agreements with Assurances (CCAA), landowners who agree to preserve sage-grouse can secure their operations against potential legal impacts if the species is listed for protection under the Endangered Species Act (ESA).