Unbalancing act

The state Department of Fish and Wildlife already manages about a million acres of publicly owned lands statewide. Now, the agency is trying to use recent wildfires as an excuse to regulate more land use, and potentially increase its land holdings.

Last week, the agency called for sage-grouse to be listed as an “endangered” species. It will be collecting public comment on the idea through Dec. 30.

According to agency South-Central Regional Director Mike Livingston, this year’s fires have destroyed sage-grouse habitats and the state needs to step in to protect the bird population.

Calling recen...