KDLY/KOVE

CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) – The U.S. Department of Agriculture plans
to allocate up to $16 million through two programs to encourage
farmers and ranchers in 11 western states to protect sage grouse
and its habitat.
     The funding announcement comes a week after Interior Secretary
Ken Salazar said the sage grouse deserves federal protection, but
won’t be listed because other species were in greater danger.
     Landowners can sign up until April 23 with county Natural
Resources Conservation Service offices to seek money.
     Sage grouse live in the sagebrush in California, Colorado, the
Dakotas, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington, Wyoming
and western Canada.