The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has proposed federal protection for a grouse based solely on climate change forecasts for the Washington Cascades.
Smaller snowpacks, retreating glaciers and higher temperatures will threaten the Mount Rainier white-tailed ptarmigan, USFWS said in a report Monday. The bird roosts in the snow.
The service said it planned to prohibit intentionally harming the ptarmigan, but neither designate “critical habitat” nor restrict activities, such as recreation or logging.
Source: Climate change drives ESA listing for Washington bird | Washington | capitalpress.com