New Rules to Protect Sage Hen Habitat Across 10 States

Interior Secretary Sally Jewell has announced a significant conservation effort to protect the habitat of the greater sage grouse across 10 Western states. This initiative marks the federal government's largest land-planning effort for a single species, aiming to balance energy development with environmental preservation.

CHEYENNE, Wyo. — Interior Secretary Sally Jewell revealed plans Thursday to preserve habitat in 10 Western states for an imperiled ground-dwelling bird, the federal government’s biggest land-planning effort to date for conservation of a single species.

The proposal would affect energy development. The regulations would require oil and gas wells to be clustered in groups of a half-dozen or more to avoid scattering them across habitat of the greater sage grouse. Drilling near breeding areas would be prohibited during mating season, and power lines would be moved away from prime habitat to avoid serving as perches for raptors that eat sage grouse.

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