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BOISE, Idaho – The Bureau of Land Management marked a milestone today in the Administration’s effort to better align plans for managing greater sage-grouse habitat on federal lands by publishing a draft environmental impact analysis of proposed changes to resource management plans in Idaho.

The BLM developed the proposed changes in collaboration with the Idaho Governor, state wildlife managers and other stakeholders to align federal and state plans. State agencies are at the forefront of efforts to maintain healthy fish and wildlife populations, and the BLM is being a better neighbor by ensuring that State partners are being heard.

“We are committed to being a good neighbor and respect the state’s ability to manage wildlife, while recognizing the tremendous investments of effort into improving Greater Sage-Grouse populations over the last decade,” said Department of the Interior Deputy Secretary David Bernhardt. “We look forward to receiving comments on the draft.”

“Idaho ranchers, sportsmen, recreationists and everyone else interested in stewardship of public lands and protecting both the species and our state’s way of life should welcome this opportunity to have their voices heard,” Idaho Governor C.L. “Butch” Otter said. “The Trump administration is showing greater respect for on-the-ground impacts of government actions on people and communities while restoring the important role of federalism.”  

“It is refreshing to see this administration working with Idaho as a partner to resolve this difficult issue,” said Senator Jim Risch (R-ID). “Idahoans built this sage grouse conservation plan and it will be Idahoans that implement it. I applaud Secretary Zinke and his team for advancing Idaho’s plan through this process.”

 “Today’s draft EIS is a welcome step in enhancing state and federal cooperation on sage grouse management plans,” said House Energy and Water Appropriations Subcommittee Chair Mike Simpson. “Given that most states asked for revisions to their plan, it is clear that more work needed to be done. This further proves my longstanding concern that the arbitrary court ordered listing decision for sage grouse was not based on sound science and ultimately led to a disorderly process. I look forward to working with Idahoans to ensure these plans utilize common sense locally driven measures that conserve sage grouse habitat.”

The BLM seeks to improve management alignment in ways that will increase flexibility, maintain access to public resources, and promote conservation outcomes.  The proposed preferred Management Alignment alternative for BLM plans in Idaho would remove sagebrush focal areas (SFAs) designated in the sage-grouse conservation plans adopted in 2015; allow a way to modify habitat boundaries to better align with State habitat maps without requiring a plan amendment; enhance flexibility for granting waivers, exceptions, and modifications to stipulations within priority habitat areas; and consider changes to be consistent with the State’s mitigation strategy.

“We’ve had nearly three years of experience cooperating with the State of Idaho and local partners to put the 2015 plans into action, and we’ve received a great deal of feedback about on-the-ground impacts and outcomes,” said acting BLM State Director Peter Ditton. “It’s important to recognize that we have not thrown out the existing plans.  We’re proposing to build on and refine them to ensure continuing returns on our investments.”

In 2016 and 2017, over 431,000 acres of sagebrush-steppe were treated to restore their function as sage-grouse habitat ($5.2 million invested).  Another $3.5 million have been obligated for habitat projects in 2018.

The proposed changes build on the 2015 plans, using feedback from States and other partners that found during implementation that the plans did not respond to local needs.

Because of that feedback, Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke issued Secretarial Order 3353, Greater Sage-Grouse Conservation and Coordination with Western States, which prompted the Departmental review of the 2015 plans.  He also tasked the BLM with implementing a strategy for Greater Sage-Grouse conservation that is done in partnership with local governments, and in a manner that allows both wildlife and local economies to thrive. 

As a result nearly every Governor in the 11 States in the sage-grouse range asked for changes to their plans.  Now the BLM is publishing six draft plans covering seven States. The Notices of Availability will appear in Friday’s Federal Register.

The BLM is accepting comments on the entire Draft EIS, as well as the specific planning issues, the cumulative effects analysis, and Priority Habitat Management Area decisions through Aug. 2, 2018.  The most useful comments are specific and contain new information related to the proposed actions.  Comments may be submitted by mail:  BLM – Greater Sage-Grouse EIS, 1387 South Vinnell Way, Boise, ID 83709; or online at https://goo.gl/f94eKW.

Before including an address, phone number, email address, or other personal identifying information in any comments, please bear in mind that an entire comment — including personal identifying information — may be made publicly available at any time.  Requests to withhold personal identifying information from public review can be submitted, but the BLM cannot guarantee that it will be able to do so.  The BLM will not consider anonymous comments.  

The BLM will hold public meetings during the public comment period.  Announcements about these meetings will be made by news releases to the media and posting on the project website listed above.  The BLM expects to publish a final EIS and plan amendments by October 2018, one year after publishing the Notice of Intent to begin this planning effort.