BLM Public Meetings in Idaho Support Review of Sage-Grouse Draft EIS
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BOISE, Idaho -- As the next step in aligning federal habitat conservation efforts with state wildlife management plans, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) will hold three meetings in Idaho beginning June 21, 2018, to provide information and answer possible questions regarding the recently released draft amendments to greater sage-grouse plans finalized in 2015.
Draft Environmental Impact Statements (EISs) and amendments to the 2015 plans were published on May 4, 2018, beginning a 90-day public comment period. The public meetings will help attendees learn about the draft plan amendments and formulate written submissions before the comment period ends on August 2, 2018.
“The 2015 sage-grouse plans have been in place for almost three years,” said acting BLM Idaho State Director Peter Ditton. “We know what is working and what needs more attention. We are taking the opportunity to build on the plans and strengthen them, and look forward to comments from the public to help us to do so.”
Ditton noted that Western governors have sought changes to the 2015 plans for BLM-managed lands in their states, which spurred the BLM in proceeding with the plan amendments. “The state and the BLM are neighbors and partners in conserving greater sage-grouse, and this means that we must work cooperatively,” he said.
Plan amendments could affect up to 61 BLM land-use plans for about 53 million acres in the seven western states. In Idaho, 23 plans guiding management on 8.8 million acres of public land could be revised.
The public meetings will be held in an open-house format, with BLM specialists attending information stations to interact with meeting attendees to provide answers or additional information. Oral comments will not be accepted at the meetings, but computer terminals will be available for submitting written comments on-site.
Idaho meetings will be held at:
Marsing June 21, 5:00-7:00 pm American Legion Hall, 126 S. 2nd Ave. West, Marsing, ID 83639
Twin Falls June 26, 5:00-7:00 pm BLM Twin Falls District Office, 2878 Addison Ave. East, Twin Falls, ID 83301
Idaho Falls June 28 5:00,-7:00 pm Hilton Garden Inn, 700 Lindsay Blvd., Idaho Falls, ID 83402
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.