Grazing Permits Resended

Judge Orders BLM to abide by the Sage Grouse Plan < link >

Federal land managers unlawfully failed to shut down grazing on nearly 22,800 acres in Eastern Oregon intended for rangeland research, according to a federal judge.

U.S. District Judge Michael Simon has agreed with environmental advocates who claim the U.S. Bureau of Land Management must stop allowing livestock onto the 13 key “research natural areas” under a sage grouse conservation plan.

“It is an immediate, binding commitment to set aside 22,765 acres as unavailable to grazing,” the judge said.

The 2015 plan specifically required those pastures to be closed to livestock, which is meant to provide habitat needed in scientific studies on the vulnerable bird species, he said. ..." BLM’s current NEPA analysis likely irrelevant. The Court also need not resolve the disputed portion of Plaintiffs’ motion to supplement the administrative record, because the disputed evidence relates to the portions of the cross-motions for summary judgment that the Court is not reaching at this time."

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