"Sage Grouse Plan Halted as ‘More Hardships’ for Bird Cited"

"A federal court won’t allow the Trump administration to enforce its plans for managing sage grouse in Western states while litigation is still pending.

The U.S. District Court for the District of Idaho issued a preliminary injunction Oct. 16 that temporarily blocks the Bureau of Land Management from implementing its 2019 plans in Idaho, Wyoming, Colorado, Utah, Nevada, Oregon, and part of California.

More protective Obama-era plans for managing the iconic birds will remain in place in the meantime.

Judge B. Lynn Winmill said the Trump administration’s amendments—which make it easier for BLM to approve oil and gas development, grazing permits, and other activities in sage grouse territory—appeared to be “contrary to the science” contained in reports from experts who advised BLM and the U.S. Forest Service on sage grouse policy."

Ellen M. Gilmer reports for Bloomberg Environment October 16, 2019.

Source: Bloomberg Environment, 10/17/2019