Sage-Grouse Group Solicits Comments

The North Magic Valley Sage-Grouse Local Working Group has completed a draft sage-grouse conservation plan and would like to solicit public comment. The Sage Grouse Local Working Group is a collaborative public-private entity that is working to improve sage grouse habitat and populations within its planning area. The North Magic Valley planning area includes portions of Camas, Elmore, Lincoln, Blaine, Minidoka, Gooding, Butte and Jerome counties. The draft plan discusses current conditions of sage-grouse habitat and populations in the planning area, prioritizes likely threats to sage-grouse, and describes those threats and potential measures to minimize them within the planning area. The draft plan is available on the Idaho Department of Fish and Game website, at: http://fishandgame.idaho.gov/public/wildlife/sageGrouse/?getPage=174, or may be obtained on a CD at Fish and Game's Magic Valley regional office. Comments need to be received by September 16. If you have questions, please contact Fish and Game biologist Regan Berkley at 324-4359.