Denver • Some governors in the U.S. West say a new Trump administration directive threatens to undermine a hard-won compromise aimed at saving a beleaguered bird scattered across their region.
The directive, issued in late July, severely limits a type of land swap involving federal property. Critics say that eliminates an important technique for saving habitat for the shrinking population of greater sage grouse.
"It took one of our tools out of the toolbox," said John Swartout, an adviser to Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper.
Hickenlooper told federal officials in an Aug. 2 letter that he opposes the change.