The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) just began a planning effort encompassing just about every BLM land use plan in 10 Western states. The subject of this gargantuan, multi-million dollar planning effort is the greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus). In April 2010, the United State Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) found the greater sage-grouse warrants protection under the Endangered Species Act (ESA), but listing the species was precluded by the need to address other high priority species first.
BLM and FS Launch National Greater Sage-Grouse Planning Strategy
Dear BRC Action Alert Subscriber,
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) just began a planning effort encompassing just about every BLM land use plan in 10 Western states. The subject of this gargantuan, multi-million dollar planning effort is the greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus).
In April 2010, the United State Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) found the greater sage-grouse warrants protection under the Endangered Species Act (ESA), but listing the species was precluded by the need to address other high priority species first.
Soon after this, the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) began working with state and local governments on massive conservation efforts which have been moderately successful. The situation with sage grouse habitat is improving.
Common sense resource protection is never enough for the Big Green Foundations that fund a small group of radical environmentalists. To these radicals, an endangered species is nothing more than a regulatory mechanism to ensure human use and access will be drastically reduced or eliminated.
I know... you have heard this before. Barely a day goes by without some Big Green Foundation funding some lawsuit using an endangered bird, bug, bog or beast to lock up public lands.
But what sets the sage grouse issue apart is the size of the habitat. To this day, nobody knows how many acres of public, state and private lands will be designated as "critical habitat" but the figure is staggering. Millions upon millions of sagebrush grassland habitat could be affected.
The Big Green Foundations have had some success with their litigation, and so the BLM and USFS are reviewing land use plans across 10 states. Experienced BRC access advocates know this is likely to be one of those long drawn out NEPA planning projects. There will be several opportunities for you to keep the radical environmentalists from achieving their goals.
BRC will track the administrative effort and inform our members and supporters when public input is most effective. We will continue to monitor and participate in travel planning in sage-grouse habitat, both to provide for recreation and protect natural resources. When necessary, we will continue to challenge unlawful closures.
CLICK HERE for BRC's Sage Grouse Issue Update webpage on the 10-State planning effort. Bookmark that page for regular updates and info. CLICK HERE here for a breakdown of the meetings scheduled in your area by State and Region.
IMPORTANT NOTE:
This sage-grouse issue is one of these epic land-use battles that last for decades. Many decades. It involves play on the legislative, legal and administrative playing fields. As recreational advocates, we must gird ourselves with patience and a sense of humor. We must work closely with other groups and elected representatives.
State and local recreation groups will also be key players. If you haven't already, join the state and local OHV organization of your choice.
Friends, we are witnessing one of the greatest land use battles ever. Please continue to respond to BRC action alerts on this and all of the important issues we deal with. You can trust us not to waste your time. We strive to blast action alerts only when your time away from work and family will be effective.
As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please contact BRC.
Thanks in advance for your support,
Brian Hawthorne Ric Foster
Public Lands Policy Director Public Lands Department Manager
BlueRibbon Coalition BlueRibbon Coalition
208-237-1008 ext 102 208-237-1008 ext 107
The BlueRibbon Coalition is a national recreation group that champions responsible recreation, and encourages individual environmental stewardship. With members in all 50 states, BRC is focused on building enthusiast involvement with organizational efforts through membership, outreach, education, and collaboration among recreationists. 1-800-BlueRib - www.sharetrails.org
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