Deb Haaland U.S. Secretary of the Interior | Official Website
The Department of the Interior has announced proposed updates to enhance the conservation and management of greater sage-grouse habitats on public lands. These updates, developed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), are informed by scientific research and collaboration with state, local, Tribal, and federal partners. The proposals aim to integrate new conservation science while adapting to changing resource conditions and maintaining flexibility in implementation.
The updated habitat management plans will cover 10 Western states where sage-grouse populations have been declining due to habitat loss, climate impacts like drought, wildfires, and invasive species. Conserving these habitats is vital for over 350 other wildlife species and supports Western communities' livelihoods. "Guided by the best available science, we are committed to the continued balance in our multi-use mandate for America’s public lands," stated Secretary Deb Haaland.
The BLM manages approximately 65 million acres of greater sage-grouse habitat in the U.S., nearly half of the total 145 million acres. The proposal aligns with collaborative efforts by the Biden-Harris administration to protect sagebrush habitats while allowing clean energy projects that limit environmental impacts. BLM Director Tracy Stone-Manning emphasized that "these proposed updates—which are the result of decades of sustained collaborative efforts—are the best way to ensure the health of these lands and local economies now and into the future."
The BLM's proposal considered around 38,000 public comments on its draft environmental analysis. Information from various partners helped shape adaptive management strategies and update habitat management boundaries. Protests against proposed amendments can be filed until December 9, 2024.
Additionally, through President Biden's Investing in America agenda, BLM is actively restoring sagebrush habitats as part of initiatives like Sagebrush Keystone Initiative and National Seed Strategy Keystone Initiative.
