In the wake of the Trump administration announcing it will reconsider controversial protections for the greater sage grouse, whose habitat is spread across the West, an oil and gas industry group and the governors of two Western states are divided over the change — with industry arguing it’s a smart move, but state leaders fearing the reboot will fail and the bird could be listed as endangered.
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Wyoming Governor Urges BLM to OK 3,500 NatGas Wells
Wyoming Gov. Matt Mead has urged the U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to approve by year-end a proposed natural gas drilling project that could include up to 3,500 new wells with ultimate production of several trillion cubic feet (Tcf) of gas.
Western States, Stakeholders See Positive Approach in Zinke Sage Grouse Review; Enviros Disagree
Reassessing the nation’s greater sage grouse protections is a positive first step that needs further action, according to some western governors and oil and gas stakeholders who reacted Friday to thereview of conservation plans by Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke.
Interior Orders Review of Sage Grouse Protections to Assess Oil, Gas Impacts
Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke on Thursday ordered a review of the federal Greater Sage Grouse Conservation Plans to see if they are in any way restricting energy production on public lands.
Federal Judge Orders Supplemental EIS For Nevada Sage Grouse Plan
A U.S. District Court judge for the District of Nevada last Friday ruled that the federal government may proceed with plans to protect the sage grouse habitat in the state after a supplemental environmental impact statement (EIS) on the programs is completed.
BLM Considers Large Acreage Protection For Sage Grouse
In a draft environmental impact statement (DEIS) published in the Federal Register on Friday, the U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM) offered the possibility of setting aside 10 million acres in six western states to protect greater sage grouse habitat.
Endangered Species Act Draws New Attention in the West
Environmentalists in California and livestock ranchers throughout the West issued new documents this month on the Endangered Species Act (ESA) and developments on the appropriate role in protecting species such as the greater sage grouse.
New Sage Grouse Study May Add to Political Debate
Researchers from the University of Nevada, Reno published a paper on Wednesday that may rekindle concern about the ability to allow oil/natural gas development throughout the West and still protect Sage Grouse habitat.
BLM Issues Instructions on Implementing Land-Use Plans For Sage Grouse
The U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM) on Thursday issued instructions for conserving the greater sage grouse and its habitat in seven different land-use situations, oil and natural gas development being one.
Industry Files Lawsuit Against Federal Sage Grouse Plan
Denver-based Western Energy Alliance (WEA) and the North Dakota Petroleum Council (NDPC) on Thursday filed a lawsuit challenging federal land-use plan amendments to greater sage grouse protections put in place last fall (see Daily GPI,Sept. 22, 2015).