WASHINGTON (Nov. 21, 2017)- Ethan Lane, executive director of the Public Lands Council and the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association federal lands, today released the following statement in response to the United States Forest Service Notice of Intent to prepare an environmental impact statement on greater sage-grouse management plans:
"Today's announcement represents an important step towards correcting the flawed 2015 Land Use Plan Amendments for the greater sage-grouse. We are glad that the Forest Service has joined the Bureau of Land Management in recognizing that additional consideration and public comment are sorely needed before any further action is taken. Emerging science has shown that - as written - the flawed amendments will inappropriately target proper grazing due to poorly structured habitat objectives requirements found throughout the plans. PLC and NCBA look forward to working with the Department of Interior to correct the 2015 Land Use Plan Amendments, which failed to incorporate local knowledge and expertise in the management of sage grouse habitat."
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A new study recently released in the Journal for Wildlife Management found that grazing did not pose a threat to successful development of greater sage-grouse populations and could actually benefit the species – further confirming what ranchers have been arguing for years. A summary of the findings can be accessed here.