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Guest Profile

Sage Grouse

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IMG 1070 Leading up to the historic announcement in 2015, a diverse group of stakeholders including conservationists, ranchers, outdoor recreation leaders, and members of the oil and gas industry sat down at the table and made tough compromises in one of the largest landscape-level conservation efforts ever. These efforts culminated in the sage-grouse conservation plans that led the Fish and Wildlife Service to decide that a listing under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) was not warranted. Over the past year, Interior Secretary Zinke has pushed for radical changes to those plans, which opens up the threat of an ESA listing. Montana stakeholders have made it clear that changing the plans are unnecessary, and would devastate the sage-grouse and the 350 other species that rely on the sagebrush steppe habitat.

With the Interior Department actively rolling back the plans, Governor Bullock and the state of Montana have stepped up to implement the conservation strategy to preclude the need for federal Endangered Species Act protections. By taking an “all hands” approach, Montana has enlisted industry, private landowners, federal land management agencies, land trust organizations, hunters, and conservationists to work collaboratively to balance development with conservation through the mitigation hierarchy, creating incentives for private land stewardship. This ensures the best outcomes for all Montanans.

Governor Bullock has been a champion for protecting the plans because they play a critical role in protecting Montanan’s way of life and help support landscapes that generate more than $1 billion in economic output annually. Bullock’s leadership has been incredibly important against Zinke’s attacks on the plans.

The strategy used to conserve the greater sage grouse is one of the largest and latest in a long line of ESA success stories. But Secretary Zinke continues to actively attack these plans. Later this fall, a final Environmental Impact Study will be published on Zinke’s proposal to dismantle the sage grouse plans. If Sec. Zinke follows through on his dangerous proposal, he will be blatantly ignoring the years of work and the input of hundreds of thousands of stakeholders who have made it clear throughout several public comment periods that they want the plans to stay in place so they can continue working. Now is the time for Governor Bullock, Western leaders, and sportsmen to redouble their calls to keep the 2015 plans. We need our leaders to stand against the actions that weaken the plans that play a critical role in keeping the sage grouse off the Endangered Species List.

 

Land Conservation Funding Moves Forward in the Senate

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Following the expiration of the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) over the weekend, the Senate Energy & Natural Resources Committee today voted to approve the Land and Water Conservation Authorization and Funding Act (S. 569).

Senator Steve Daines, as a member of the Energy & Natural Resources Committee, voted for the bill, which he has cosponsored along with Senator Jon Tester and 46 other senators from both parties.

Montanans should be grateful for Senator Daines’ continued efforts to push forward S. 569 and address the need to reauthorize and fully fund LWCF.  Senator Daines understands how important LWCF is for hunters, anglers, and everyone who enjoys the outdoors.

LWCF program supports land acquisition, conservation easements, and other projects that provide public access for hunting and fishing, as well as preserving essential wildlife habitat and migration corridors in Montana and across the nation. The 54-year-old conservation program expired when Congress failed to reauthorize it before September 30.

569 now awaits action by the full Senate.  The House of Representatives has not passed legislation to reauthorize or fund LWCF before adjourning last week for a six-week break until after the November election.

 

Calling for Strong Conservation Measures in the 2018 Farm Bill

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Earlier this week, the Montana Wildlife Federation, joined by nine other Montana sportsmen’s organizations sent a letter to the Farm Bill Conference Committee calling for strong conservation measures in the 2018 Farm Bill.

As the Farm Bill moves into Conference, our organizations are working to support strong conservation measures. The groups call for maintaining the funding within the Conservation Title. We are also pushing for an increase in the Conservation Reserve Program, with the addition for a permanent easement option.

As the largest private land conservation tool, the Farm Bill provides essential habitat for Montana’s waterfowl, upland birds, deer, and countless other species. All Montanans benefit from a strong Farm Bill.

We will continue to make sure the Conference Committee focuses on private land conservation with an emphasis on programs that have been proven effective for farmers and ranchers, fish and wildlife, and hunters and anglers.

Stand up for Sage Grouse & Restoring Habitat in Montana

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Photo Credit: Alexis Bonogofsky

The State of Montana has been a leader in the conservation of sage-grouse and their habitats. Since 2012, Montanans have been rolling up their sleeves and working together to find common ground when it comes to ensuring that we not only take care of the sage grouse, but we also take care of the people whose livelihood will be most impacted if the bird gets listed under the Endangered Species Act: farmers & ranchers. 

That’s why we need your help today. Earlier this summer, Secretary Zinke eliminated the need for developers on public land to offset their impacts through mitigation. That means the government is telling companies that they don’t need to leave Montana better than how they found it. That’s a shame, especially after Montanans of all stripes worked together to ensure the federal plans and the state plans would work together. 

Due to the Department of Interior walking away from their obligations related to mitigation, the state of Montana has the task of implementing a strong mitigation policy that will not only keep sage grouse from being listed under the Endangered Species Act, but would help improve habitat for mule deer, elk, pronghorn, and over 350 other species of wildlife and native plants. 

Please take a moment to send a note to the Department of Natural Resources & Conservation with the following message: 

Since the federal government is not honoring their deal, made in 2015, to use mitigation as a tool in restoring damaged public lands, it’s up to the state of Montana to pick up the slack and advance a mitigation proposal that ensures continued state management of the greater sage grouse. True multiple use means leaving a place better than how you found it, and only through the Montana Mitigation policy can we live up to that longstanding management ideal. 

Jeff Lukas – MWF Elk Campaign Manager

Jeff Lukas

Conservation Director

Jeff Lukas is a passionate conservationist who has been fishing and hunting his entire life. Whether it’s floating a small stream chasing trout, pursuing elk in the high country, or waiting in a blind for ducks to set their wings, Jeff is always trying to bring more people afield to show them what we are trying to protect. He loves being in the arena, and he will never shy away from conversations about the beautiful and unique corners of Big Sky country.