Biden Administration Proposes New Protections for Greater Sage-Grouse

The proposal aims to balance conservation with land use, sparking mixed reactions from conservationists and industry.

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has proposed new protections for the greater sage-grouse across 11 Western states, aiming to reverse habitat loss.
The draft plan includes six alternatives, with a preferred option focusing on balancing conservation with public land use, including limited energy and mineral development.
Greater sage-grouse populations have declined about 80 percent since 1965, with current estimates below 800,000 due to habitat loss exacerbated by climate change.
Conservationists are divided, with some praising the renewed commitment to conservation, while others criticize the plan for not going far enough to protect the species.
The proposal sets up potential conflicts with the fossil fuel industry and poses challenges for renewable energy development in sage-grouse habitats.