The American Petroleum Institute (API) recently complimented the Department of the Interior (DOI) for ensuring plans to protect the North American greater sage grouse and maintain conservation efforts of the species in conjunction with government plans.
DOI instructed the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to implement modifications to current greater sage grouse preservation programs. Secretary of Interior Ryan Zinke had created a review panel in June in order to analyze federal and state level conservation plans and confirm that they correlate adequately with energy development initiatives.
“Removing administrative barriers to conservation is critical to protecting the greater sage grouse without hindering responsible energy development and local economic opportunities,” Erik Milito, API’s upstream director, said in a release. “The record shows that energy development and sage grouse populations can successfully coexist, and the industry has been a leader in working with state governments and agencies to preserve Western habitats while continuing to meet the needs of America’s energy consumers.”
Thegreater sage grouse dwells in the westernmost grassland areas of North America, including the western U.S. and southern Alberta and Saskatchewan in Canada.
Milito added that a cooperative approach between government officials and conservationists is working effectively in tandem with technological development and that API looks forward to the forthcoming DOI report.
“Conservation efforts like reclamation, habitat improvement projects, land set-asides, and strategically targeted conservation easements are all ways the industry has helped improve protection for the greater sage grouse and its environment,” he said in the release.
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