Governor affirms state management of sage-grouse

CODY (WNE) — Gov. Mark Gordon submitted comments to the U.S. Department of Interior, Bureau of Land Management supporting the changes proposed to the Greater Sage-grouse Resources Management Plan Amendments for Idaho, Montana/Dakotas, Nevada/California, Utah, and Wyoming. 

In a letter representing the State of Wyoming, Gordon detailed his support for the changes that recognize the state’s authority over wildlife and their management as well as for rescinding the Priority Habitat Management Areas with limited exceptions designation. 

“Wyoming has consistently advocated for a finalized Greater sage-grouse RMPA that recognizes the State’s management authority over the species. Wyoming is committed to monitoring and evaluating the population, evident by having the most data in the world on sage-grouse and using the best biological science in our analysis,” Gordon wrote. “We fully support the changes proposed by the BLM related to adaptive management, choosing to align with the State of Wyoming’s Executive Order Greater Sage-Grouse Core Area Protection.  

“Further, I support the Trump Administration’s recognition that the Priority Habitat Management Areas with limited exceptions was nothing more than an attempt to create an onerous, unnecessary designation,” the governor added. “In truth, it was a veiled Area of Critical Environmental Concern inserted at the last hour. These designations are unneeded in Wyoming due to our state’s effective core area strategy.”

This story was published on Oct. 6, 2025.