BLM Sage Grouse Management Plan Updates Put States First

September 3, 2025

The Bureau of Land Management is seeking public comment on changes to its proposal on how to manage Greater Sage-grouse habitat across eight Western states and is inviting the public to weigh in. The amendments would affect BLM-managed public lands in California, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah, and Wyoming. 

Proposed amendments to the resource management plans would continue to ensure responsible habitat stewardship while making more public land available for energy development and mining to support President Donald J. Trump’s Executive Order, “Unleashing American Energy.” Proposed changes incorporate key research published since original plans were approved in 2015, including new information about how sage-grouse respond to drought and disturbance.  

Western states are applauding the Trump Administration's decision.

Wyoming Governor Mark Gordon said the is pleased with the significant changes announced by the U.S. Department of Interior, Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to the proposed Resource Management Plan Amendment for Greater Sage-Grouse Rangewide Planning. The document outlining changes to both adaptive management and the elimination of priority habitat management areas with limited exceptions corresponds to concerns raised by the Governor in his consistency review and are reflective of the authority the State of Wyoming has over management sage-grouse. 

“Finally, the current version of the Greater Sage-grouse plan recognizes Wyoming's leadership in both protecting the bird and providing for common sense development," said Gordon. "Wyoming is home to more sage-grouse than any other state, we have decades of experience and a proven track record of successfully managing the bird. Our state plan through the Sage-Grouse Executive Order is sound, and has been for over 16 years,” Governor Gordon said. “In addition, the amendment reverses the Biden policies that attempted to encroach on states' rights to manage wildlife within their borders. We are grateful to the Trump Administration for recognizing the meaningful work of the states.”

Wyoming Game and Fish Department Director, Angi Bruce, echoed the Governor.

“After nearly four years of active engagement with the BLM, it is rewarding to see the plan land in a place that uses the best science available, state expertise and our existing state processes," said Bruce. "This collaboration is a representation of our commitment to maintaining a healthy sage-grouse population.”

A notice initiating the public comment period will publish in tomorrow’s Federal Register. Additional information is available at the BLM National NEPA Register, where comments may be submitted through the “Participate Now” option (preferred). Comments may also be mailed to: BLM Anchorage District Office, Attn: Stephanie Rice, 4700 BLM Rd, Anchorage, AK 99507. The comment period will close Oct. 3, 2025. 

Source: BLM & Office of Wyoming Governor Mark Gordon