In
2010, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS)k determined the Greater
Sage-Grouse warranted protection under the Endangered Species Act (ESA), but
listing was precluded by the need to address other species first. One reason for
the FWS determination was the “need for improved regulatory mechanisms” to
ensure species conservation. The principal regulatory mechanisms for the BLM
and the Forest Service are conservation measures in land use plans.
In
2011, the BLM and Forest Service joined forces to develop, analyze and
incorporate coordinated, long term conservation measures and actions for sage
grouse in their land use plans. These planning measures must be incorporated
into land use plans by the end of 2014, to give FWS time to evaluate them
before making a court-ordered final listing decision in 2015.
To
date more than a dozen coordinated environmental documents have been developed
by the various agencies and state advisory councils to provide a consistent
approach to sustaining the species and its habitat across the West. Draft
documents are being released for public comment as they are completed. Each
draft is comprised of several alternatives that address sage grouse
conservation issues using different management actions. For example, the Idaho
and Southwest Montana Draft EIS includes six different alternatives ranging
from no-action alternative to the Idaho Governor’s proposed plan.
For
more information on what is happening in your areas of interest follow the links listed
below:
No comments:
Post a Comment