WASHINGTON—Today, U.S. Representatives Mike Simpson and Russ Fulcher, U.S. Senators Jim Risch and Mike Crapo, and Governor Brad Little issued the following statement upon the release of the Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) Final Resource Management Plan for the Greater Sage-grouse Land Use Plan Amendments and Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). The proposed amendments would affect 77 state-led sage-grouse resource management plans across the West.

“Idaho has long been a leader in habitat and wildlife management. We have made great strides in the conservation of the greater sage-grouse through years of state-led collaboration and science-informed decision making," the elected officials said. "Management considerations cannot be rushed simply for the administration’s political convenience. Adequate time, resources, and local input are necessary to ensure the end result is feasible and scientifically sound.”

The State of Idaho’s sage-grouse conservation plan has consistently received high marks from Democrat and Republican administrations alike. In an effort to combat activist litigation that costs taxpayers and undermines states’ conservation efforts, an Endangered Species Act (ESA) listing prohibition on greater sage-grouse has been included in every annual appropriations bill since fiscal year 2015 to allow state conservation efforts to proceed.