[ODFW-News] Commission reviews sage grouse conservation plan

[Odfw News]

Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife  
Contact: Brad Wurfel, 503-947-6020 
Internet: www.dfw.state.or.us <http://www.dfw.state.or.us/>   Fax: (503)
947-6009
 
 
For Immediate Release Friday, May 13, 2005

Commission reviews sage grouse conservation plan

PRINEVILLE - The Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission today reviewed a
draft plan to conserve greater sage grouse through local improvement
projects and voluntary landowner efforts. The Commission will vote on
adoption of the plan later this year.
 
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in January announced the species does
not warrant inclusion on the federal Endangered Species Act list.
However, biologists report that sage grouse now are limited to 10
percent of their historic habitat range. Oregon is home to nearly 20
percent of the nation's sage grouse habitat, and is one of many states
working to improve habitat and grouse numbers. 
 
Greater sage grouse require sagebrush ecosystems, and presently inhabit
nearly 100 million acres in 11 western states. Oregon is home to 18
million acres of sagebrush habitat. 
 
ODFW collected public comment on the draft plan via written and e-mailed
submissions. The comments will be incorporated into a revised draft to
be released for public comment in June, reviewed by the Commission in
July, and considered for final review and adoption in August. 
 
Key elements of the plan include:
* Assessing population and habitat conditions; 
* Identifying population and habitat objectives, including a target of
70 percent sagebrush to 30 percent grassland on managed lands; and
* Developing regional teams to help review and implement local
conservation projects. 
 
ODFW officials said they plan to work with the federal Bureau of Land
Management and private landowners to help ensure effective
implementation of the plan.
 
Interested individuals can view the draft plan on ODFW's Web site at  or
send a request for a copy to Wildlife Division, ODFW, 3406 Cherry Avenue
NE, Salem, OR  97303-4924. 
 
The seven-member Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission, which meets
monthly, is the policymaking body for fish and wildlife issues in the
state.
 
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