The Oregon Department of Wildlife is in the process of updating the Greater Sage-Grouse Conservation Assessment and Strategy for Oregon. This plan builds on the 2005 plan and includes accomplishments to date, refined population estimates, core-area mapping and mitigation recommendations.

The full plan can be found at http://www.dfw.state.or.us/wildlife/sagegrouse/.

Public comments on the plan are being accepted until November 15th. Use our comment form to submit comments by clicking HERE.

You can read ONDA's Comments HERE.

Please also consider attending one of the upcoming public meetings being held throughout Oregon. Here you will have an opportunity to hear from ODFW staff and submit comments on the plan.

Upcoming public meetings:

• Sept. 30th, Commission meeting in Bend. Starting at 10:00 am (The sage grouse plan should be discussed after 11:30am)
  
  At the Deschutes County Services Building: Board of Commissioners Room, 1300 NW Wall Street, Suite 200, Bend, Oregon 97701

• December 3rd, Commission meeting in Portland. Location & time TBA

Greater sage-grouse are a sagebrush obligate species, meaning they need sagebrush to survive. Since the early twentieth century the population of Greater sage-grouse in the West has contracted, bringing it to roughly 50% of the historic range. This precipitous decline led to the US Fish & Wildlife Service recommending Greater sage-grouse as a candidate species for listing under the Endangered Species Act. While the Greater sage-grouse still remains unlisted, continued loss of sagebrush habitat may threaten the future of this species.

The most pressing threats to the sage-grouse include degradation of habitat through development, livestock grazing and agriculture, and energy development coupled with accompanying roads and power lines. However, with common sense policies like mitigation requirements and restrictions in core sage-grouse habitat, the State of Oregon can help facilitate responsible renewable energy development in Oregon while protecting this important landscape and iconic species. Currently, 44% of the most important remaining habitat for sage-grouse shares a landscape with future energy development. Now, more than ever sage grouse need a balanced approach to protection.

Because Greater sage-grouse are an umbrella species, by protecting them and the sagebrush habitat they rely on hundreds of species stand to gain. Currently there are over 20 sensitive or threatened species associated with sagebrush, including Oregon's state bird, the Western Meadowlark.

ODFW Headquarters
3406 Cherry Avenue NE
Salem, OR 97303