Governor Seeks Public Comment on Sage-grouse Core Area Map Revisions

Governor Mark Gordon is seeking public comment on proposed revisions to the State of Wyoming’s sage-grouse core area protection map. Sheridan Media’s Ron Richter has the details.

The initial revisions were developed and are being proposed by the Sage-grouse Implementation Team (SGIT) subcommittee. The original sage-grouse core area protection strategy and map were developed in 2008, revised in 2015 and again in 2019. The core area map encompasses approximately 15 million acres of sage-grouse habitat in Wyoming. According to information from the Governor’s Office, the Bureau of Land Management is considering significant land use amendments that may alter the management of sage-grouse habitat on public lands. As part of this process, the BLM will update its sage-grouse habitat map. It is the intention of the State of Wyoming that this takes place in a collaborative manner that recognizes and implements SGIT recommendations. 

That SGIT subcommittee was asked to consider and review new science and data. The recommendations include input from conservation interests, private landowners, energy development officials, local government and state agencies. Their recommendations have been further informed by a series of meetings with seven local sage grouse working groups and interested parties over the past three week

Members of SGIT are governor-appointed and work collaboratively to protect sage-grouse under the State of Wyoming’s Sage Grouse Executive Order. The group meets approximately six times a year to discuss sage-grouse-related issues under the direction of Chairman Bob Budd.  Written comments will be accepted through 5 p.m. June 28. The Governor will issue a final version of the map to update his Executive Order. Information on how to submit written comments can be found here.