Front view of a bi-state sage-grouse.
Bureau of Land Management photo.
The Department of the Interior announced last week that it will open a public comment period and assess options for amending the 2015 plan amendments for the conservation of the greater sage grouse in 11 western states. The notice of intent comes on the heels of Department of Interior’s review of the sage grouse plans earlier this year. Ethan Lane is the Executive Director of the Public Lands Councils and NCBA’s Federal Lands, and he says that the action opens a door to potentially provide much-needed relief to ranchers across the west.
Lane says this process is a commitment from the Trump administration to hear the concerns from the western Ranchers and other stakeholders that are impacted by unfair rules that negatively impact the livestock industry.
The public may submit comments to the proposed changes through a 45-day comment period which will end in November.
From the National Association of Farm Broadcasting News Service.
Image credit: By Pacific Southwest Region U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service from Sacramento, US – Greater Sage GrouseUploaded by Snowmanradio, Public Domain, Link.