Trump Administration’s Sage-Grouse Plans Threaten Conservation of the Species

An analysis by Defenders of Wildlife of the Trump administration’s proposed amendments to seven key conservation measures in the existing federal greater sage-grouse conservation strategy found that none of the changes improve management for the species, and many would only serve to reduce protections already in place.

The administration is seeking to change six Bureau of Land Management (BLM) sage-grouse conservation plans covering seven western states, including California, Colorado, Idaho, Oregon, Nevada, Utah and Wyoming. Defenders' review found the proposed plan amendments would eliminate designated habitat areas and downgrade protections against oil and gas development, livestock grazing, and other land use in the core of sage-grouse range.

Defenders will also submit written comments during the public comment period on the proposed plan amendments, which closes on August 2.

Mark Salvo, vice president of landscape conservation for Defenders of Wildlife, issued the following statement:

“The Trump administration’s proposed changes would put sage-grouse in greater peril and undermine the collaborative efforts of federal agencies, state governments, private landowners, sportsmen and conservationists to save the species. None of the proposed amendments would actually improve sage-grouse conservation. Meddling with these plans now will not only jeopardize grouse and their habitat, but also communities and economies that depend on a healthy Sagebrush Sea.

“The administration’s goal has been clear from the start: expand oil and gas drilling in sage-grouse habitat, regardless of the consequences to wildlife and wild lands. The Trump administration should be ashamed.”