For Immediate Release
Washington, DC

Today the Bureau of Land Management released records of decision (RODs) amending the National Greater Sage-Grouse Planning Strategy. Revisions to the Obama-era plans will lessen protections for the sage-grouse on tens of millions of acres across the West.

Jamie Rappaport Clark, president and CEO for Defenders of Wildlife, issued this statement:

“Once again the Trump administration demonstrates that it is willing to bend to the will of Big Oil, even at the cost of sage-grouse and their habitat, and the western communities and sustainable economies that depend on these public resources. It’s tragic to see so much progress on sage-grouse conservation undone by these roll backs. Acting Secretary of the Interior Bernhardt characterized these cuts as ‘sanding the rough edges’ of these plans, but this is in fact a hatchet job on sage-grouse conservation.”

For nearly 80 years, Defenders of Wildlife has worked to protect and restore America’s wildlife at risk of extinction, advancing a vision of a future in which wildlife thrives, sustained by broad public support and a resilient network of healthy lands and waters. With a network of more than 2 million supporters, Defenders is an advocate for innovative solutions to safeguard wildlife for generations to come. To learn more, please visit https://defenders.org/newsroom or follow us on Instagram @defendersofwildlife.  

 

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Charles J. Sharp
WASHINGTON, D.C.

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