The Trump administration appears to be relaxing restrictions on oil and natural gas drilling, mining activity, and livestock grazing in newly finalized plans for managing the imperiled greater sage grouse across the West.
The Bureau of Land Management blueprint unveiled Monday revises plans for managing the iconic Western bird on millions of acres that the Biden administration completed in November but never formally approved before President Donald Trump took office for a second term in January.
The Trump administration’s revisions cover sage grouse habitat in eight Western states, changing criteria that prompt restrictive actions be taken when populations of the bird drop below a predetermined level. They also alter protected sage grouse habitat management areas in Utah and development restrictions in general habitat management areas for “major rights of way” in Nevada, among other highlights.
“We are strengthening American energy security while ensuring the sage grouse continues to thrive,” said Bill Groffy, BLM’s acting director, in a statement. “Healthy sagebrush country powers our communities, sustains wildlife and supports the economies that make the West strong.”
