Strengthen plans on sage-grouse to save Hi-Line lands

On May 28, the Bureau of Land Management reached a historic milestone in its effort to conserve the imperiled greater sage-grouse.

The plans proposed by the BLM would protect the West’s sagebrush sea, which acts as essential habitat for the sage-grouse as well as mule deer, pronghorn and hundreds of other wildlife species.

The agency has taken a big step toward balancing multiple use activities on Western public lands while keeping the sage-grouse off the endangered species list.

While the sage-grouse protections are important, the three Montana plans issued on May 28 are a mixed bag for conse...