Bishop Lauds Federal, State, and County Plan to Protect Plant Species and Preserve Multiple Use

WASHINGTON— Congressman Bishop (UT-01) today applauded the announcement of a plan that will manage and conserve a plant species knows as Graham's and White River beardtongues  while also providing opportunities for economic development.

The 15-year plan was reached between the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), the Fish and Wildlife Service, the State of Utah, School and Institutional Trust Lands Administration (SITLA), and Uintah County.  Special interest groups have been pressuring federal land management agencies to list the plant species as "threatened" under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). The plant is found only on outcroppings where oil shale deposits exist.

"Conservation and multiple use can coexist in the same realm. This plan is an example of that. I commend Uintah County Commissioner Mike McKee for his leadership on this issue. He was instrumental in finding a balance between protection of the plant species and protection of economic development for the state and county. I hope that this plan can serve as a template for future collaboration," said Congressman Bishop.