New US approach but Wyoming plans no big sage grouse changes

Wyoming’s new governor plans no big changes to the state’s sage grouse conservation strategy even as U.S. officials take a new approach to protecting the birds.

Republican Gov. Mark Gordon announced Wednesday he will extend a public-comment period from April 8 to May 1 before he revises Wyoming’s strategy.

Gordon took office in January. This will be his first opportunity to change protections for the greater sage grouse in Wyoming, a stronghold for the chicken-sized birds.

Gordon says he plans no major changes to Wyoming’s rules, which include restrictions on how much land may be disturbed by development in key habitat.

U.S. officials recently adopted a new sage grouse policy giving states more flexibility to enact or scale back protections for the birds, which inhabit 11 Western states.