Sage Grouse Face New Extinction Threat From Trump Administration

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The U.S. Department of the Interior has finalized changes to the sage grouse management plans previously negotiated by a number of western states. The new plans will overturn these carefully-crafted conservation plans in exchange for rules that will allow the oil and gas industry to disrupt and destroy the habitat of the rapidly declining greater sage-grouse.

In response, Sierra Club Senior Campaign Representative Emily Lande released the following statement:

"This is a major step backwards for healthy sagebrush territory, our local economy, and the collaborative work that marked the development of the existing plan. While the agreement finalized in 2015 is not perfect, it’s the result of a balanced and bipartisan process carefully developed and led by Westerners.These plans were among the first to give local voices the lead on an interstate public lands agreement.

“The administration’s actions undercut the work done by farmers, ranchers, conservationists, state leaders and Western state governors who came together to reach a compromise. The Trump approach will increase the threat of extinction for the greater sage-grouse, gutting their protection to benefit the oil and gas industry.

“Westerners have made it clear that the bipartisan interstate compromise should be implemented and we oppose any changes that would weaken the protections of the agreements. We will hold this administration and acting Secretary Bernhardt accountable for putting the interests of the dirty fuel industry above the people and the lands of the West.”

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