Protections surrounding the greater sage grouse have been a point of conflict, and the Bureau of Land Management has only added fuel to the fire with newly proposed greater protections.
The agency claims the updates include flexible management plans and incorporate new sage grouse conservation science, but not everyone agrees.
“I know that we’re concerned that the effect of wild horses hasn’t been adequately addressed in this plan. I don’t believe that fire—we saw lots of fires out throughout the west— that hasn’t been adequately addressed you know. One of the biggest threats of sage grouse, if not the biggest threat is fire,” according to Ron Cerri, Public Lands Council and Nevada rancher.
Protests to the amendments can be filed until December 16th through the BLM’s National NEPA Register.
