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About the Gunnison Sage-grouse Conservation Program
The Gunnison Sage-grouse, a unique species of North American grouse, is a year-around resident of Gunnison County. In 1995 local Stockgrowers, environmental groups, Gunnison County and State and Federal agencies formed a “Local Working Group” to address concerns about the future of this species. This group presented the Gunnison Sage-grouse Conservation Plan in 1997. In response to a petition in 2000, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service designated the Gunnison Sage-grouse as Candidate species for threatened or endangered status under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). In 2005 the status of the species was upgraded on the Candidate list for consideration of listing.
On April, 12, 2006, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced that after review, the Gunnison Sage-grouse was not warranted for listing under the ESA, stating that threats to the species are “neither imminent nor of such magnitude that they threaten or endanger the existence of the species.” Please follow the links on this page to the Fish and Wildlife Service for further information.
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 Jim Cochran
Gunnison Sage-grouse Conservation Coordinator
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Having long been involved with management of the Gunnison Sage-grouse, Gunnison County has been and will continue to be proactive to insure the preservation of this unique and important species. Sage-grouse Conservation Coordinator Jim Cochran works with the Board of County Commissioners, the Gunnison Basin Sage-grouse Strategic Committee, Federal and State agencies, private landowners, and interested citizens to plan, manage and coordinate the development of a Gunnison Sage-grouse Strategic Conservation Plan. This plan will guide Gunnison County as it moves into the future, insuring that the Gunnison Sage-grouse will always flourish in our County and the upper Gunnison basin.
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Action Plan
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Date:
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June 21, 2005
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To:
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Board of County Commissioners
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From:
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John DeVore
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Subject:
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Ratification of Action Plan and Goals Discussed at the Sage Grouse Work Session
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It is the policy of Gunnison County that the following goals and action steps be adopted and implemented in regards to the potential listing of the Gunnison Sage Grouse as an endangered species.
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The first goal of Gunnison County is to implement steps which will aid in the preservation of the Gunnison Sage Grouse. In order to accomplish this goal the following actions steps will be implemented:
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The Board recognizes and understands that the original intent of the Sage Grouse Mitigation Fund was to mitigate the effect of the Landfill on the Sage Grouse. However, the US Fish and Wildlife Service has taken the position that only projects implemented on non federal land can be counted towards this mitigation. The Board has taken the position that the preservation and improvement of habitat irrespective of location is more important than specific mitigation of the effects of the landfill. Therefore the Board directs the Sage Grouse Mitigation Committee to implement the work plan in the Organizational Procedures and Guidelines in terms of looking at funding of quality projects irrespective of location.
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The Board has decided a complete review of the LUR needs to be conducted to determine what revisions need to be made to further protect Sage Grouse Habitat. Further the Board directs staff to move forward with the process to develop a special area as part of the LUR, in particular researching the potential for the development of a Habitat Conservation Plan. This approach may result in the establishment of special rules for sub areas of the County where Sage Grouse habitat exist. The Board has determined that the "Gunnison Sage-Grouse Conservation Priority Regions in the Gunnison Basin" which was developed by the Gunnison Basin Working Group Research Sub-Committee, would be a reasonable starting place.
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Negotiate multiple Certificate of Inclusions with the DOW’ CCAs for all appropriate County property. |
The second goal of Gunnison County is to minimize disruption to current activities. In order to accomplish this goal the following action steps will be implemented:
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Work with the regulatory agencies to develop uniformity of requirements that are consistent and predictable. |
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Convene a meeting of the Sage Grouse Working Group to discuss formalizing the membership, adding additional members for broader representation, developing procedures and discussing flexibility in the local plan. |
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Work with the BLM, Forest Service, and the US Fish and Wildlife Service to insure a coordinated review process for review of permits and projects. |
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Work with the BLM, Forest Service, and the US Fish and Wildlife Service to insure that all grazing permits which will expire in the next 18 to 24 months are reviewed and renewed in a timely manner. |
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Schedule a meeting with the US Fish and Wildlife service to discuss the renewal of permits and obtain clear information on the implication of the proposed listing as well as the process for review. In particular a clear understanding of the regulations is desired. |
The third goal of Gunnison County is to further collaboration and communication and in particular to develop mechanisms to effectively deal with rumors and misinformation. In that regard the Board adopts the following action steps:
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Work with the BLM's public relations department to develop press releases which contain factual information. |
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Develop a sub page on the County's WEB site to respond to the most frequently asked questions with links to the DOW, BLM, Forest Service, NRC and HCCA. |
The fourth goal of Gunnison County is to implement an effective strategy and programs which will which will preclude the need to list the Gunnison Sage Grouse or at a minimum demonstrate the willingness of the Gunnison Community to preserve and protect habitat which will lessen the impact if listing does occur.
In order to accomplish the above goals and strategies the Board of County Commissioners will create the position of Sage Grouse Coordinator which will have the primary responsibility to implement the identified programs.
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Office Staff
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Gunnison Sage-grouse Conservation Coordinator
Jim Cochran
970-641-7604
Email Jim
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Administrative Assistant III
Ruth Dukeman
970-641-7600
Email Ruth
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Office Hours
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Monday - Friday (except for holidays)
8:00 am - noon & 1:00 - 5:00
* Prior arrangements can be made for services during the lunch hour.
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Contact Information
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Gunnison Sage-grouse Conservation
200 E. Virginia Avenue
Suite #104
Gunnison, CO 81230
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Phone: (970) 641-0248
(Voicemail is available 24 hours per day)
Fax: (970) 641-3061 |
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