1. Uncertainty and Controversy
● Uncertainty rises from politics as managers have
little to no control over decision making that
occurs at a state or federal level.
● Energy production and its economic value across
the 11 states cause controversy as listing the
sage-grouse could have negative economic
impacts.
● Climate change is a huge uncertainty that
managers have minimal control over. Manager's
best efforts to prevent wildfires and invasive
species could be undermined by climate change,
such as CO2 emissions.
2015 Status Review of the Greater
Sage-Grouse: Management
Analysis and Suggestions
In 2010 the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service determined that
the Greater Sage-Grouse warranted listing under the
Endangered Species Act although higher priority species
precluded its listing. Currently the U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service is reviewing the Grouse’s status based on data
collected in 2014 and required to make a determination by
September 30th 2015.
Management Paradigms
● Ecosystem based Management - BLM
● Bi-State plan between California and
Nevada
● Candidate Conservation Agreements
with Assurances - Oregon
● Conservation Bank - Wyoming
Stakeholder Analysis
● Proactive conservation is happening
between stakeholders as volunteer efforts,
or conservation organizations.
● Some stakeholders include; The Yakama
Nation tribe, local land-owners, energy
developers, ranchers, federal and state
agencies, conservationists, and resource
extractors.
Tradeoffs
● Listing the species would have severe economic
impacts, but would protect the species from take or
harm.
● Community-based approaches, as seen in the
California and Nevada plan, have been effective at
engaging stakeholders. Critics argue that the plan
protects stakeholder interests and does not do
enough to preserve habitat.
● Ecosystem-based approaches, like the Wyoming
plan, ensure the protection of a wide range of
habitat, but may not be as effective as a single-
species approach.
Recommendations
● Avoid listing the Species under the Endangered
Species Act.
● Engage stakeholders in regional management
planning.
● Reduce fragmentation of Sage-steppe habitat.
● Create simple and accessible ways for the public
to learn about the Grouse and its habitat.
To Learn More…
● Please visit the U.S. Fish and Wildlife website
for updates on status of the Greater Sage-
Grouse at:
http://www.fws.gov/greatersagegrouse