Changes to Habitat Plans Released for Comment as Greater Sage-grouse Numbers Continue to Decline

(WASHINGTON, D.C. — Sept. 3, 2025) — Main conservation and leisure teams are stressing the necessity for continued progress and collaboration following the release of proposed changes to last plans for the administration of roughly 50 million acres of habitat for the Higher Sage-grouse, an imperiled chook that serves as a logo of the American West. The Bureau of Land Administration (BLM) launched the proposed modifications to up to date useful resource administration plans this week to information growth, grazing, recreation and conservation throughout the huge sagebrush-covered panorama that stretches throughout eight states. A whole lot of species rely upon sagebrush habitat deemed essential to the survival of the Higher Sage-grouse. The plans will likely be open for public remark for 30 days.  

The up to date plans construct on landmark 2015 science-based administration plans that have been the product of years of collaboration between federal and state leaders, native communities, and conservation and leisure organizations. These plans, and the protections they offered to sage-grouse, have been the rationale that the species was not listed as threatened or endangered underneath the Endangered Species Act.  

Whereas the accords loved broad help from Western governors, ranchers and sportsmen, they have been regularly weakened by later political rollbacks and inconsistent implementation.  

Following litigation and the discharge of up to date analysis, the BLM has been working intently with states to finalize this newest spherical of planning. Final decisions were signed for the states of Colorado and Oregon in January 2025, and now the states of Nevada, Utah, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, North Dakota, South Dakota, and California are additionally close to last. 

“This can be a pivotal second for the Higher sage-grouse,” stated Alison Holloran, govt director of the Rockies regional workplace of the Nationwide Audubon Society. “Previously decade, the chook has disappeared utterly from North Dakota and continues to be declining steeply throughout the remainder of its vary. We encourage the Bureau of Land Administration and state governments to take care of a collaborative spirit as the true problem begins—turning these plans into on-the-ground motion.” 

“We admire the administration’s continued work with states and companions on up to date Higher Sage-grouse plans; grouse proceed to face steep declines and habitat loss throughout their range–we encourage the Bureau of Land Administration to search out and finalize sturdy, bipartisan options that defend the chook and the sagebrush habitats it is determined by,” stated Lee Davis, Public Lands Coverage Specialist with the Nature Conservancy’s Sagebrush Sea Program.  

Hundreds of Westerners submitted feedback in summer season of 2024 to the BLM on proposed amendments for more than 70 resource management plans (RMPs), masking 67 million acres of federally-managed lands the place sage-grouse are discovered. Nineteen organizations submitted a letter calling on the BLM to reverse the chook’s steep decline and to decide on sturdy, science-based approaches from among the many options proposed. 

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Media contact: 

Jason Howe, Nationwide Audubon Society: jason.howe@audubon.org