Renewable Energy Development
Development of renewable energy is a high priority for the State of
Utah, and should employ the same Management Protocol recommended
for extractive mineral development. Preliminary results from
scientific research have indicated that wind energy development
near greater sagegrouse nesting and brood-rearing habitat may have
a negative impact on nest success, brood success, and populations.
However, research completed to date has not shown an immediate
impact from transmission lines on nest or brood success, so
necessary stipulations and conditions related to transmission lines
associated with renewable energy projects should focus on
disturbance during construction (see Appendix 1 for a discussion of
the current research).
Engage in reclamation efforts as projects are completed.
Recognize that stipulations for other species (e.g. raptors) may
impede the ability to effectively reclaim areas of impact and
remove those barriers to achieve immediate and effective
reclamation, if otherwise allowable by law. .3 Prioritize areas for
habitat improvement.
Apply mitigation standards based on habitat type as discussed in
the Management Protocol in Section
New permanent tall structures should not be located within one mile
of the lek, if visible by the birds within the lek.
Recreation and OHV Use
Recreational activities, particularly motorized off-highway uses,
may conflict with greater sagegrouse, most often in nesting and
winter habitats where and when birds are unable to move freely. In
SGMAs, limit or ameliorate impacts through the use of the
Management Protocol discussed in Section 6.0 below. .
1 Restrict OHV use to identified trails and roads in nesting and
winter habitat. Develop an educational process to advise OHV users
of the potential for conflict with greater sage-grouse. .
2 Counties should adopt and enforce travel management plans that
include consideration for greater sage-grouse.
Improper Livestock Grazing
Livestock grazing is a major resource use in most SGMAs, and can be
an effective tool to improve habitat quality and seasonal
nutrition, and thereby enhance local populations. Existing grazing
operations which utilize recognized rangeland best management
practices increase the necessary vegetation, and thereby increase
the potential for nesting success and population recruitment.
Should concerns be raised about the effect of grazing on
sage-grouse, and such effects are documented over a sufficiently
long time-frame, corrective management actions should be addressed
through the best management practices identified by the Department
of Agriculture and Food’s Grazing Improvement Program. (UDAF GIP).
More detail on grazing practices and greater sage-grouse
conservation are found in Appendix 2. .9.1 Rangeland habitat
treatments to improve grazing should fully consider the impact on
sage grouse seasonal habitat during planning and implementation. 17
.
Address incompatible grazing strategies through established
rangeland management practices consistent with the maintenance or
enhancement of habitat. .
Allocate funds and effort to the development of grazing strategies
that will enhance or improve habitat for the preservation of
greater sage-grouse. .
Locate livestock fences away from leks and employ the NRCS fence
standards.(See NRCS/CEAP Conservation Insight Publication “Applying
the Sage Grouse Fence Collision Risk Tool to Reduce Bird Strikes.”)
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