Sagebrush Ecosystem
Final EIS
The Oregon Sub-regional Greater Sage-Grouse (GRSG) Proposed Resource Management Plan Amendment (Proposed RMPA) and Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS), is one of fifteen sub-regional efforts being conducted as part of the BLM National Greater-Sage Grouse Planning Strategy. The BLM prepared the Proposed RMPA and FEIS in consultation with cooperating agencies, taking into account public comments received during this planning effort. The purpose of the Proposed RMPA is to amend eight eastern Oregon Resource Management Plans (Andrews, Baker, Brothers LaPine, Lakeview, Southeastern Oregon, Steens, Three Rivers, and Upper Deschutes) to identify and incorporate appropriate conservation measures to conserve, enhance, and/or restore GRSG habitat by reducing, eliminating, or minimizing threats to that habitat.
- Historic Conservation Campaign Protects Greater Sage-Grouse (PDF)
- Record of Decision (PDF)
- Oregon Sage-grouse Approved RMP Amendment (PDF)
- Sage-grouse ARMPA Appendix H - Fire and Invasive Species Assessment (PDF)
- FEIS Errata Sheet (PDF)
- Oregon Sage Grouse News Release (PDF)
- Oregon Sage Grouse Fact Sheet (PDF)
- Final EIS
- BLM National Sage Grouse Site
- Final GIS Data
Sagebrush Ecosystem
The sagebrush ecosystem is home to unique plant and wildlife species, and is very important to the overall ecological health of eastern Oregon. Many birds and mammals depend on sagebrush ecosystems in the western United States for survival. In the last century, drastic changes caused by livestock grazing, conversion of lands to agriculture, the introduction of exotic plant species, and fire have resulted in alteration and fragmentation of sagebrush vegetative communities throughout the Intermountain West. The loss of sagebrush ecosystems are negatively affecting many of the more than 350 species of plants and animals that depend on sagebrush ecosystems for all or part of their existence including Greater Sage-Grouse as well as Pygmy Rabbit, Mule Deer, and Golden Eagles. Other examples of sagebrush dependent species include sage sparrow, ferruginous hawks, Brewer's sparrow, sage thrasher, sagebrush vole, and many botanical species.
BLM and Sage-Grouse Conservation
In response to requests from state and local governments to facilitate ways to conserve Greater Sage-Grouse and protect its habitat, BLM scientists and managers met with state wildlife management officials July 16, 2011 to brief them on the agency’s National Greater Sage-Grouse Planning Strategy. The meeting took place at the Western Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies. The BLM strategy emphasizes a cooperative approach and provides a framework to advance efforts to implement timely conservation measures for sage-grouse and its habitat.
- BLM National Planning Site
- National and Oregon Fact Sheet (PDF)
- The BLM and Sage-Grouse Conservation
Draft EIS
- Oregon DEIS Vol. 1 (PDF)
- Oregon DEIS Vol. 2 (PDF)
- Oregon DEIS Vol. 3 (PDF)
- Associated Maps
- Draft GIS Data
Related Information
- Amending the Southeastern Oregon and Lakeview RMPs (PDF)
- Core Areas and Occupied Habitat Map (PDF)
- ODFW Core Areas Map (PDF)
- Sage-Grouse Habitat in Eastern Oregon Map (PDF)
- Comment Period for Greater Sage-Grouse Scoping Extended
- Sage-Grouse Mapping News Release
- Fish and Wildlife Service: Sage-Grouse page
- Federal Register Notice March 5, 2010: 12-Month Findings for Petitions to List the Greater Sage-Grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus) as Threatened or Endangered
- News Release March 5, 2010: Interior Expands Common-Sense Initiative to Conserve Sage-Grouse Habitat in the West
- News Release March 5, 2010: Fish and Wildlife Service to Add Bi-State DPS of Greater Sage-Grouse to Candidate List
- News Release March 5, 2010: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Says Western Sage-Grouse Not a Sub-species
Want to learn more about RMPs for Western Oregon?