BLM Cedar City Field Office Hosts Public "Steppe Forward" Learning Sessions on Greater Sage-Grouse
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Cedar City, Utah—The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Color Country District Office and Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument is hosting several public learning sessions to provide information about the final greater sage-grouse conservation plan for Utah public lands.
After an unprecedented, collaborative and science-based conservation effort, the BLM and U.S. Forest Service recently finalized Utah land-use plan amendments that will address threats to the greater sage-grouse by: minimizing surface disturbance; improving sagebrush habitat; and reducing the threat of rangeland fire. Unlike other states, Utah’s sage-grouse habitat is highly fragmented, so the Utah plan proposes management based on actual greater sage-grouse populations rather than just habitat. “Steppe Forward” learning session attendees can learn more about this management strategy and many others in a public, open house format.
Meetings are open to the public and will be held as follows:
November 4, 2015, Wednesday, 4-7 p.m.
Hunter Conference Center
Southern Utah University
Cedar City, Utah
November 5, 2015, Thursday, 4-7 p.m.
Quality Inn Conference Room
540 S. Main Street
Richfield, Utah
“These learning sessions give our local communities an opportunity to sit down with BLM staff and talk about the greater sage-grouse conservation plan, the management strategy, and how it will be implemented,” said Heather Whitman, Color Country District manager.
For additional information regarding the “Steppe Forward” public learning sessions, please contact Elizabeth Burghard at 435-865-3006 in Cedar City; or in Richfield, call Wayne Wetzel at 435-896-1501. Persons who use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 1-800-877-8339 to leave a message or question for the above individual. The FIRS is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Replies are provided during normal business hours.
The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 western states, including Alaska, on behalf of the American people. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. Our mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.