A report has been released by a group of Western-state governors on voluntary efforts in 11 states, aimed at conserving the habitat of sage grouse.

This is a part of an attempt to avoid a federal listing of the bird under the federal Endangered Species Act. The Western Governors' Association released the 32-page '2014 Sage-Grouse Inventory' on Thursday.

Idaho Gov. C. L. 'Butch' Otter said that the states have surely completed work that was asked of them to help the federal government understand that a listing is not required. Otter has also suggested ideas to protect habitat incorporated by federal planners.

The US Fish and Wildlife Service has time till September 30 to take decision whether to propose the greater sage grouse as requiring protections. There is a possibility that it could restrict ranching and oil and gas drilling in the West. According to the Western Governors' Association, a listing will also help decrease voluntary conservation work and cause less harm to states' economies.

The present population of sage grouse put the population between 200,000 and 500,000. According to experts, loss of habitat is responsible for it.

"It's a good report. What they're trying to do is show - primarily Fish and Wildlife - that all these efforts are being done to protect sage grouse habitat", said John Freemuth, a Boise State University professor and public lands expert who analyzed the documents.

Some part of the report involves Montana Gov. Steve Bullock's executive order to create a statewide greater sage-grouse habitat conservation program and needing compliance by state agencies. Federal officials are also putting efforts to avoid a listing.