BLM seeks local input on Gunnison sage grouse issue

The BLM is in the initial stages of a project to create an approach to conservation that can be applied effectively across the entire range of the bird’s habitat, spanning 11 counties and two states. The operative slogan for the evening was “collaborative conservation.” The bureau is currently in what it calls the scoping phase of the project, a period that invites comments and suggestions from the public. “We’re soliciting input and wanting to know what should we be looking at and why,” said BLM communications director for Colorado Steve Hall. “We’re looking for help establishing consistent rules across the range.” Project manager Leigh Espy presented a PowerPoint presentation that outlined basic information on both the bird and the plan. “You all know more about the Gunnison sage grouse than I do, I can guarantee you that. The BLM and its partners have done a lot already.” “We are not starting over. We’ll be looking at all we’ve already accomplished and incorporate that moving forward,” she said. Gunnison resident Dick Bratton noted that 80 percent of the birds live in Gunnison County and identified the extensive efforts here by ranchers, local governments, landowners. “How are you going to consider all the efforts that have gone into this and ensure those don’t get lost?” he asked. “We don’t want the needs of the 20 percent out there to override what we’ve been doing that’s working here.” “Using those successes as a base—we’re asking [all those who’ve put in those efforts] to participate,” said Espy, who assured that the BLM would take the lessons learned here and apply them elsewhere. Gunnison County Commissioner Jonathan Houck said the county has embraced the notion of collaborative conservation since that’s what the community has practiced for years. “We’ve been at that table for a long time,” he said. He noted local successes. “Bird numbers—they’re trending up,” he said, “and we should be proud of that.” Houck said the county was in the process of putting together comprehensive documentation identifying on what’s worked and what hasn’t worked here. “How will this interact with the Candidate Conservation Agreement?” asked Gunnison director of community development Steve Westbay, referring to a document enacted in 2006, and approved by a host of signatories, among them the BLM, U.S. Fish and Wildlife, Gunnison and Saguache counties, the National Park Service, U.S. Forest Service and Natural Resources Conservation Service. “It’s a good document,” said Espy. “A lot of hard work went into that. We’ll be using it as a baseline.” “Oftentimes the greater sage grouse gets the lion’s share of the attention and a lot of the science there bleeds over to the Gunnison [sage grouse],” said Houck. “There may be greater research that’s applicable to Gunnison sage grouse,” said Espy. “We’ll be looking at what’s applicable, what’s not, and what’s unique to the Gunnison.” Espy emphasized that public input would be an ongoing part of both implementation and application of any plan. “Plan amendments are, by nature, a NEPA [National Environmental Policy Act] plan and there is always a public process in making changes,” she said. One concern among those in attendance was that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Agency, which is responsible for listing the bird as threatened or endangered, is not a participant in the creation of this conservation plan. Several in the audience asked about current prospects for listing the bird as threatened or endangered and what that would mean in relation to the BLM’s amendments. “What is the effective population goal?” asked rancher Tom Field. That, said Espy, is a question for Fish and Wildlife. “I find it disturbing that agencies are generating in a vacuum on this,” said Field. “The BLM is responsible for the health of the sagebrush ecosystem. Without knowing the target numbers, how will you know if what you’re doing is working?” “It’s evident that what you’re doing here is working and expanding,” Espy said. She encouraged Field to submit his comment in writing. “Gunnison County is making sure that everything we’ve done over the past 20 years gets on the record,” said Commissioner Paula Swenson. “Take this opportunity to put in your comments, if not to the BLM, then to the county.” “By doing this, are you trying to avoid a listing?” asked Bratton. “I don’t know that a listing is good for anyone,” said Espy. Westbay said he felt the time frame was too short for comments and asked if they could be extended beyond the August 22 deadline. “We can help you pare down what you already sent to Fish and Wildlife to get comments on the record,” said Gunnison BLM field manager Brian St. George. Espy outlined the BLM’s ambitious schedule toward completing the range-wide management plan. This fall and winter, staff will review all input, develop and analyze alternatives. Next spring, they’ll roll out a draft of the amendment, allowing 90 days for comments. Those comments will be considered and incorporated, and in spring 2016, a final review will invite additional feedback. A final record of decision is expected at the end of summer 2016. To view the complete scoping presentation and submit comments, go to http://www.blm.gov/co/st/en/BLM_Programs/wildlife/sage-grouse/GUSG.html.