The Mitigation Commission is supporting conservation and recovery of sage grouse in Utah's Strawberry Valley. The Strawberry Valley Area Assessment, which was developed by the Mitigation Commission and Heber Ranger District of the Uinta National Forest, found the species to be operating outside of a properly functioning condition and at risk.

Based on this assessment and because enlargement of Strawberry Reservoir, as part of the Central Utah Project, inundated four out of five historic sage grouse leks (displaying and breeding areas), the Commission is funding a study to identify additional causes for sage grouse decline in Strawberry Valley. The study is being conducted by Brigham Young University.

Participants in the study are the U.S. Forest Service, Utah Division of Wildlife Resources, and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Information gained is being used to develop a sage grouse recovery strategy.