Idaho to fight sage grouse plan appeal

Governor Brad Little said Friday that the state will intervene in a federal lawsuit to defend the federal Bureau of Land Management’s recently adopted sage grouse plan amendments. Little, on behalf of the State and the Idaho Legislature, filed legal action Thursday.

Four environmental groups, including the Hailey-based Western Watersheds Project, asked for an injunction last week to block Idaho’s sage grouse plan.

“A diverse set of stakeholders and experts worked tirelessly to develop a state plan that meets the needs of sage grouse in Idaho,” Governor Little said. “I am confident the court will recognize that our plan strikes the appropriate balance between conservation and multiple use.”

The primary threats to sage grouse in Idaho are wildfire and invasive plant species. Over the past several years, the state has made significant investments in measures meant to enhance sage grouse populations.

In 2013, the state established Rangeland Fire Protection Associations, which now prevent and combat wildfires on federal, state, and private rangelands across 3.7 million acres of sage grouse habitat.

The Idaho Legislature also has appropriated $2.75 million for habitat improvement projects and other efforts aimed at reducing threats to sage grouse.