BLM’s Final Greater Sage Grouse Plan Amendments Will Direct Management Across 10 Western States

November 8, 2024

TRCP emphasizes the need to finalize plans, turn to implementation to advance conservation on the ground

(Washington, D.C.)—The Bureau of Land Management has announced its final greater sage grouse plan amendments that will guide management of 65 million acres of sage grouse habitat across 10 Western states. 

“After more than a decade of collaboration between federal and state agencies, private landowners, industry and NGOs to revise management plans to conserve the greater sage grouse, we thank the BLM for their efforts to finalize these amendments,” said Madeleine West, interim vice president of Western conservation for the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership. “This milestone must be a marker that ends the cycles of planning and moves attention back to on-the-ground management to benefit the sagebrush ecosystem and the Western communities that rely on it.”

Since 2012, the BLM has engaged in three separate planning efforts to amended management plans to conserve the greater sage grouse and its habitat for the purpose of preventing the need for federal protections under the Endangered Species Act. The first set of plan amendments were finalized in 2015 in tandem with a determination by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service that the greater sage grouse did not warrant ESA protections. This effort was a result of unprecedented collaboration between state and federal agencies, private landowners, industry and NGOs. The BLM initiated a new round of planning in 2018 to enhance cooperation and improve alignment with the state plans or management strategies. Legal deficiencies found in those plans, finalized in 2020, required the BLM to initiate this latest cycle of plan amendments, now for the third time.

The planning area for the BLM’s plan amendments is nearly 121 million acres of sagebrush ecosystem – the largest terrestrial biome in the Lower 48 at over 165 million acres across the West. It is home to the iconic greater sage grouse as well as 350 other fish and wildlife species, many of which are game species valued for the hunting and fishing opportunity they allow. A 2022 U.S. Geological Survey report revealed that half of the original sagebrush ecosystem has been lost at a rate of approximately 1.3 million acres each year over the last two decades.  Numerous fish and wildlife species depend upon this ecosystem, but so do rural economies such as agriculture, hunting and fishing and outdoor recreation, which makes reversing the decline a priority for all Westerners.

“With these new plans, the BLM has removed some poison pills that existed in the 2015 plans, retained important changes included in the plans finalized in 2020 to respect state authorities, and incorporated updated science to reflect our improved understanding of ecosystem needs over the last decade,” added West. “TRCP looks forward to working with the BLM, state agencies, and other public land users to implement these plans in a durable, lasting manner that has the greatest positive impact on sage grouse and Western communities.”

The BLM is accepting protests on the plan until December 16, 2024. Documents are available on the agency’s eplanning website.

The TRCP is your resource for all things conservation. In our weekly Roosevelt Report, you’ll receive the latest news on emerging habitat threats, legislation and proposals on the move, public land access solutions we’re spearheading, and opportunities for hunters and anglers to take action. Sign up now.

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by: Dan Morgan

posted in: Habitat and Clean Water

November 7, 2024

Wyoming Land Board Votes to Move $100 Million Sale of Iconic Kelly Parcel to Grand Teton National Park Forward

Wyoming sportspeople thank Governor Gordon, Auditor Racines, and Treasurer Meier for supporting school children and iconic big game migrations.

(Cheyenne Wyoming) — Wyomingites are celebrating a crucial step forward in conserving the outstanding wildlife values of the Kelly Parcel with the State Board of Land Commissioners approval of a $100 million sale to Grand Teton National Park. The sale, which will generate a windfall for public education, was authorized by the Wyoming legislature during the 2024 legislative session pending the Governor’s favorable review of the Rock Springs Resource Management Plan (RS RMP). It has broad support from citizens across the state including a coalition of nine hunting and angling organizations.

“The Kelly parcel contains the longest known pronghorn migration route in the world, numerous elk migrations, winter range for bighorn sheep and moose, and native cutthroat trout habitat,” said Josh Metten, Wyoming field manager for the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership. “Selling this parcel to Grand Teton is a win for Wyoming school children, and for its outstanding wildlife resources including the ability to hunt and fish on the parcel in perpetuity.”

The 640-acre parcel, located adjacent to Grand Teton National Park, is managed by the Office of State Lands and Investments to optimize revenues for public education. The sale of the Kelly Parcel is estimated to generate over a billion dollars in compound interest revenue in the future, according to a recent analysis by the Treasurer’s office.

“Wyomingites have spoken loud and clear that they want the Kelly parcel preserved for future generations,” said Metten. “The TRCP and our coalition of Wyoming Sportspeople are grateful to Governor Gordon, Auditor Racines, and Treasurer Meier for endorsing the desire of local stakeholders to meet the financial needs of our students while conserving this iconic parcel.”

The Governor’s final authorization of the sale will come after the Record of Decision is released for the Rock Springs RMP, which is expected by the end of the year. Supporters are invited to thank the Governor, Auditor, and Treasurer at the following email addresses:

State Treasurer: Curt.meier@wyo.gov
Governor: Mark.gordon@wyo.gov
State Auditor: Kristi.racines@wyo.gov

Learn more about TRCPs Wyoming migration work here.

Photo Credit: Josh Metten

by: Ryan Lockwood

posted in: Habitat and Clean Water

The Mississippi’s Massive Catfish, Tasty Drums & Bountiful Crabs: Video Compilation

See what happened when TRCP brought a group of talented river anglers with prominent online followings to check off a multitude of fishing wish-list items

TRCP recently hosted several well-known, river-savvy angling influencers on a two-day fishing and crabbing excursion on the Mississippi River, to talk about the importance of restoring the functionality of the river, throughout the basin from the Gulf of Mexico to Minnesota. The video-makers got an up-close look at freshwater and sediment diversions to see firsthand how effective they are at improving productivity and rebuilding land being lost to subsidence, rising seas, and battering from hurricanes.

Particularly near the river’s confluence with Neptune Pass, the group got into a bevy of black drum, sheepshead, catfish, redfish, speckled trout, and blue crabs. Chris Macaluso, TRCP’s director of marine fisheries, said that he was impressed by how everyone who attended was already aware of how important a naturally flowing river is for the best angling opportunities.

“Buras, Louisiana, in the fall can be one of the most incredible places in the world to fish because the Mississippi River and its passes and connected marshes are teeming with fresh and saltwater fish, ducks, alligators, crabs, and shrimp,” Macaluso said. “For some, it was their first chance to fish in the river where it meets the Gulf of Mexico and catch redfish and giant catfish with massive ocean-going ships passing by and migrating ducks landing all around. While they hadn’t seen the river at that scale and talked about connecting that much water and sediment into coastal wetlands, all had a story about some of their home waters and how much better the fishing is in rivers that continue to interact with floodplains and support wetland habitats.”

Check out the resulting videos below.

Cole & Jay

Cole and Jay Harken, based in Arkansas, are a husband/wife duo with a passion for wildlife, nature, and fishing in particular who post weekly outdoor content that focuses on freshwater angling as well as interesting wildlife encounters and traditional Southern sporting endeavors like frog gigging.

Marsh Man Masson

Todd Masson is and outdoor writer and lifelong fisherman who travels Louisiana’s Gulf Coast and beyond seeking speckled trout, redfish, flounder, bass, and other sportfish and panfish. His videos offer techniques and locations to help other anglers mimic his success and introduce viewers to local guides. With a mind for conservation, Masson also has been featured in several collaborations with TRCP.

Outside the Levees

This YouTube channel, hosted by Jared Serignè, features hunting and fishing adventures in South Louisiana “outside the levees” of the Mississippi River. The channel offers many videos focusing on targeting invasive species and cultural traditions like shrimping, crabbing, and alligator hunting, with an emphasis on the catch-and-cook mentality.

River Certified

Based in Iowa, Spencer Bauer’s posts on River Certified are mostly about fishing for giant catfish, bass, walleyes, and other Midwestern fish, from kayak, boat, and shore. He also offers angling tips and tricks, and posts on camping and general outdoor fun, with a new video posted every Monday and Thursday afternoon. While in Louisiana with TRCP, Bauer made a number of videos because of all the action he found, including some on landing monster blue catfish.

TRCP is working to improve Louisiana’s coastal wetlands and fish habitat, and enhance recreational fishing opportunities, by restoring more natural flows from the Mississippi River. Click the video below to learn more.

by: Michael O'Casey

posted in: Habitat and Clean Water

Fish Camp

A place where fish are caught, stories get bigger, and camaraderie runs deep

There’s no place I’d rather be during the month of September than in my home state of Oregon. For all 30 days, one can travel across the diverse geography, from the salty coast to the deep canyons of the Snake River, taking full advantage of the long, lingering summer light while attempting to fill the freezer in the company of good people with a bow or rod in hand. That’s why when I received an invitation to attend a salmon fishing event hosted by Work Sharp called ‘Fish Camp’ along the mighty Columbia River, I eagerly accepted.

Growing up outside of Astoria at the mouth of the Columbia, learning to fish for salmon was a rite of passage for any fledging angler. My dad was a local pastor, and since we didn’t have our own boat, I would beg him to use his large network of church members to get us on as many vessels as we could during the famed Bouy 10 fall chinook season.

The author’s father, Terry, shows a fresh salmon to a toddler Michael O’Casey and sister Liz.

Although I now live in central Oregon, I still try to salmon fish on the Columbia at least once a year. This year’s invite by Work Sharp to fish the river outside of The Dalles, Oregon, was going to be my only opportunity to bring home some bright orange salmon fillets, and as I drove across the Columbia plateau north from Madras, I was excited to get on the water.

We woke early the first morning and drove from The Dalles to just below Bonneville Dam where the winds were expected to be calmer to meet our guides for the day. Our guide, Dave Eng has been fishing these waters for over 45 years, and his easy-going confidence navigating the predawn light to where the fish had been biting gave us all upbeat spirits. Satisfied with the look of the water, Dave idled down and told us to toss out our flashers, weights, and Super Baits as we kicked into trolling mode. Minutes later, Kyle with Work Sharp hooked a fish. We netted the 15-pound hen and brought her into the boat, silvery sides reflecting various hues of grey in the overcast sunrise.

The wide currents of the Columbia River were navigated confidently by Dave Eng.

The morning passed easily. We were all engaged in conversations that were frequently interrupted by bent rods and the tell-tale nibble of upriver bright Chinooks. These fish travel hundreds of miles upstream through the now dam-regulated current of one of the largest and most productive salmon rivers in the world.

Historically, between 10-16 million salmon returned annually to the vast Columbia River System and its tributaries. Today, the returns rarely exceed 2 million, and we were lucky on this trip that the Chinook return in the fall of 2024 was a strong one. These fish are resilient, and billions of dollars have been spent in recent years restoring habitat within the basin to revive this abundant food source and economic engine that’s a key element of the Tribes and people who live in the Pacific Northwest. Conversations are still bustling in the halls of Congress and the many towns that rely on salmon in the PNW about how best to manage them into the future to ensure their abundance.

Work Sharp expertly cleaned the salmon for guests to take home and share.

The Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership is engaged in many public land planning processes that directly impact the salmon of the Columbia River System: whether that be through engaging in national forest management planning efforts to support updates to the Northwest Forest Plan or through engagement in national legislation on forest health to expand tools to help combat the effects of over a century of fire exclusion. According to a recent USFS threats analysis, the forests in the Pacific Northwest are rapidly changing due to warmer and drier weather and face high risks such as wildfire, insects, and disease. This past summer proved to be one of the largest wildfire seasons ever in Oregon, with more than 1,900 fires burning over 1.9 million acres in the state. The scale of these uncharacteristic wildfires aren’t good for salmon as they can result in warmer water temperatures and increased stream sediment in the headwaters where salmon spawn. The TRCP and our partners strive to champion policies that make habitat a priority on our public lands and waters, and just like the salmon, the work to conserve them is far ranging.

Back on the water, thanks to our guide Dave’s knowledge, we each had our one chinook on board and on ice before lunch and were back on the dock in time for an afternoon spent in conversation. The dialogue spanned topics from what type of scent to put on a lure, the angle a fillet knife needs to be in order to achieve maximum sharpness, and how to best barbecue a backstrap. I knew I was in good company.

With the hectic pace our world brings to modern life, I was thankful to have been invited to spend a few days on the water where I used my phone for photos rather than emails and spent time laughing and swapping stories with people who are all in one way or another employed and inspired by the great outdoors and abundant natural resources, like the salmon we trolled for on the river.

Thanks to Work Sharp and the many brands for hosting this event and to the many guides and journalists who made time to attend. We all had the opportunity to put good gear to the test and remember why we are in this industry, whether as a guide, a journalist, a conservationist, or a brand marketing director. The comradery, the stories, and the fish caught all have me excited to return for Fish Camp in 2025.

Learn more about TRCP’s work in the Pacific Northwest HERE.

Fish Camp was attended by representatives of Work Sharp, Columbia PFG, Smith, CRKT, Whiteduck, Camp Chef, KLYMIT, Sea to Summit, and The Dalles Area Chamber of Commerce.

Photos courtesy of Work Sharp.

by: Joel Webster

posted in: Habitat and Clean Water

October 31, 2024

TRCP Opposes the Blanket Sale or Transfer of Federal Land to States

Recent efforts from states to transfer federal lands mean risks for hunter and angler access & wildlife habitat management

This past August, leading Utah officials petitioned the U.S. Supreme Court to hear Utah’s case that argues for the transfer of Bureau of Land Management acres to state ownership. The action was recently backed by amicus briefs filed by Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Idaho, Iowa, Mississippi, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, and Wyoming.

While the Utah filing is limited to “unappropriated lands” managed by the Bureau of Land Management, their brief clearly justifies and rationalizes the transfer or sale of all federal public lands. If the U.S. Supreme Court decides to take up this case, it is very possible that their decision would set a precedent that makes all 640 million acres of federal public lands, including National Parks, vulnerable to transfer to state ownership.

“This is a lose-lose situation for states and all Americans for which these lands are held in the public trust,” said Joel Webster, chief conservation officer for the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership. “There have been several efforts over the past four decades to sell or transfer federal lands. None have been successful, and all have been unpopular. States simply do not have the resources to manage the vast acres that make up federal lands.”

Currently, lands managed in trust by states in the West, including Utah, are legislatively mandated to generate revenue to support trust land beneficiaries, such as public schools. This means that most state lands are managed for maximum profit, often benefiting private interests. Public access is also not guaranteed on state trust lands. Hunters and anglers in Montana successfully opened their state trust lands after decades of restricted access, whereas state trust lands in Colorado are open to the public only if the acres are actively enrolled in an access lease. Long-term conservation of these lands to benefit public access and enjoyment, as well as managing fish and wildlife populations, is not secure.

Utah’s latest proposal is not new and evokes memories of similar proposals from the early 2010s. These proposals received massive pushback from hunters and anglers, outdoor recreationalists, outdoor businesses, and conservationists. In response to long-term opposition, bipartisan lawmakers recently introduced proactive legislation that would require congressional approval for the sale or transfer of most federal lands. The main arguments against land transfer proposals remain unchanged.

If granted ownership of federal lands within their borders, states would be wildly underfunded and understaffed to manage them. They would also lack any clear mandate for what that management should look like as the lands would no longer be governed by federal multiple-use laws. Without the resources or mandate to manage world-class hunting and fishing destinations for wildlife or recreational access, these important areas could be sold to the highest bidder.

Local and state economies could also take a serious hit if federal lands were transferred to the states. Counties across the West receive millions of dollars in federal revenue based on the amount of federal public land within their borders through programs such as Payments in Lieu of Taxes and laws like the Mineral Leasing Act and the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act. Thousands of BLM, National Forest, and National Park Service jobs would be eliminated in rural communities, and public land-driven outdoor recreation tourism would cease.

New financial burdens would extend into fighting fire and post-fire mitigation, a battle that seemingly intensifies every year in the West. The 2024 wildfire season in Wyoming alone has burned well over half a million acres, draining the state’s $39 million wildfire suppression account. That figure is on top of tens of millions of dollars spent by federal firefighting efforts. These burn areas are now prone to the spread of invasive weeds, requiring millions of dollars in mitigation efforts. Transferring federal lands to states would put the cost of wildland fire fighting and post-fire mitigation on the backs of limited state budgets.

There are many complex challenges to managing millions of acres of federal public lands for multiple uses. However, the blunt instrument of sale or transfer will not solve the problems states have with federal agencies. This brash action will in fact only exasperate states’ present management and budgetary issues. Collaboration, as it has been for decades, is the way toward successful and lasting resource development, wildlife habitat management, and public access.

“TRCP recognizes that there is tension over how some federal public lands are managed, but the sale or transfer of public lands is not the answer,” concluded Webster. “We believe that the best way for people to address these challenges is by rolling up their sleeves and finding common ground. TRCP is committed to being a part of that dialogue, and we encourage others to take a similar approach.”

Learn more about this issue HERE.