Conservation Group Urges BLM to Protect Sage Grouse on Grazing Lands

A conservation organization is urging the U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to conduct environmental reviews before renewing 453 grazing permits that encompass areas designated as crucial sage grouse habitats. This call to action follows a recent court ruling that found the BLM improperly renewed grazing permits in Idaho without necessary environmental assessments.

Western Watersheds Project's Appeal

Idaho-based Western Watersheds Project sent a letter to Interior Secretary Sally Jewell, highlighting the expiration of these grazing permits in March. The letter references a U.S. District Court ruling in Boise that criticized the BLM's use of a congressional grazing rider to bypass environmental reviews.

"It's time for the BLM to take sage grouse conservation seriously," said Todd Tucci, an attorney at Advocates for the West representing Western Watersheds Project in the lawsuit.

Potential Nationwide Impact

While the lawsuit currently pertains to Idaho, Tucci believes similar legal challenges could succeed in other states. The letter also mentions grazing permits in Nevada, Wyoming, Montana, Oregon, California, Colorado, and Utah.

Interior Department spokeswoman Emily Beyer stated that the agency could not comment on ongoing litigation. A BLM spokeswoman in Boise indicated that the Interior Department is managing all inquiries regarding the Western Watersheds Project letter.

Significance of Sage Grouse Conservation

The BLM's Rangeland Administration System database lists these permits within areas identified by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service as Sage-grouse Priority Areas for Conservation. The Fish and Wildlife Service is expected to decide by September 2015 whether to protect the sage grouse under the Endangered Species Act, having previously deferred listing the species.

"If they see that trend (in population) continuing to decline from when they deferred last time, it will be hard for them not to list," said John Freemuth, a public land policy expert and professor at Boise State University.

Tucci emphasized that federal decisions regarding the 453 permits could influence the Fish and Wildlife's decision, noting that about 60% of sage grouse habitat is on BLM-administered land.

Efforts to Avoid Endangered Listing

Interior Secretary Jewell recently toured sage grouse habitats in south-central Idaho to gather information on conservation efforts. Federal, state, and private entities are collaborating to prevent a listing that could restrict energy development and agriculture, potentially harming Western states' economies.

Jewell acknowledged the complexity of the issues facing sage grouse but expressed optimism about finding solutions. Idaho's Republican U.S. Senators, Jim Risch and Mike Crapo, joined Jewell on the tour, underscoring the high level of concern regarding a potential listing.

"We are committed to developing a plan that makes the sage grouse population sustainable and saves the species," Risch stated during the tour.

Sage grouse, known for their spring gatherings in breeding grounds called leks, have seen population declines over the last century due to habitat loss. Estimates of their numbers range from 100,000 to 500,000.

Originally Posted By Associated Press