After nearly a decade of research and review, the federal government has given Sierra Nevada bighorn sheep additional room to thrive and, hopefully, fully recover.
On Aug. 5, a ruling from the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) finalized designation of 417,577 acres of land throughout the Sierra Nevada range as critical habitat for the endangered animal.
The ruling, published in the Federal Register, also changes the taxonomy of the Sierra Nevada bighorn sheep from a distinct population segment of California bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis californiana) to its own subspecies (Ovis canadensis sierrae). This signification highlights the Sierra Nevada bighorn as truly unique and individual. The final rule becomes effective Sept. 4, 2008.
Conservation activities for bighorn sheep are estimated to cost approximately $27.4 million, but the costs...
