Media Advisory, November 6, 2017
Contact: Patrick Donnelly, (702) 483-0449, pdonnelly@biologicaldiversity.org
BLM to Face Criticism at Nevada Hearings on Sage Grouse Conservation Plans
Trump Administration Aims to Weaken Protections for Imperiled Bird
RENO, Nev.— Conservationists attending public hearings in Nevada this week will blast federal plans to weaken protections for the greater sage grouse. The Bureau of Land Management is holding a series of meetings, including three in Nevada, to get public input on the Trump administration’s review of protections for the imperiled bird.
Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke is expected to recommend reducing protections to allow more fossil fuel development, mining and livestock grazing in the imperiled bird’s habitat across 10 western states. Earlier this month, Zinke formally launched a federal review of conservation plans approved in 2015 by a blue-ribbon panel of sage-grouse experts.
“These modest sage grouse conservation plans already include concessions to industry. The Trump administration should be strengthening them, not trying to unwind them,” said Patrick Donnelly, Nevada state director at the Center for Biological Diversity. “Healthy sage grouse habitat in Nevada is the lifeline for these iconic birds and hundreds of other species. But Trump and Zinke want to auction these public lands off to the highest bidder. Sage grouse extinction may well be part of their legacy.”
BLM is holding public meetings in seven western states on the sage grouse conversation plans. Here are the Nevada meeting details:
Reno
Where: The Nugget, Sierra Room 1, 1100 Nugget Ave., Sparks
When: 4:30-6:30 p.m. Tuesday
Elko
Where: Elko Convention Center, 700 Moren Way, Elko
When: 4:30-6:30 p.m. Wednesday
Ely
Where: Bristle Cone Convention Center, 150 W. 6th St., Ely
When: 4:30-6:30 p.m. Thursday
People can submit public comments to the BLM by email or on their website. The last day to submit comments is Nov. 27. Go to http://bit.ly/GRSGplanning or email BLM_sagegrouseplanning@blm.gov
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