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Gunnison sage-grouse in the Gunnison Basin
Colorado
Gunnison Sage-grouse Strategic
Committee
The Service is working
with Gunnison County, Bureau of Land Management, Forest Service, local
developers, local ranching community, and a local conservation group to
develop a 600,000 acre conservation plan for the Gunnison Basin population
of Gunnison sage-grouse. The Gunnison sage-grouse was just recognized
as a species in 2000. This Basin is the stronghold of the species,
providing over two-thirds of the remaining habitat and over three-fourths of
the remaining individuals of this species. The Strategic Plan's goal
is to provide for the long-term conservation of the species, while also
meeting the needs of local developers, ranchers, and other competing
interests. The Committee has made a strong commitment (through a draft
Memorandum of Understanding) to ensure consistent management strategies
across all landscapes, regardless of ownership.
Gunnison sage-grouse in the Gunnison Basin
Photo courtesy of Gunnison County
San Luis Valley, Colorado
Regional HCP
The Service is working
with the Rio Grande Water Conservation District and the State of Colorado to
develop a regional Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP). The District and
State received Section 6 - Cooperative Endangered Species Conservation Fund
grants in 2004 and 2005 to complete the HCP and associated NEPA
documentation. The District is administering the HCP process on behalf
of the five counties that comprise the San Luis Valley in southern Colorado.
The HCP focuses conservation on over 150 miles of riparian habitat and
provides coverage for land use activities on over 2 million acres that
affect the southwestern willow flycatcher, bald eagle, and yellow-billed
cuckoo. This effort will expand the existing conservation partnerships
for the three covered species as well as numerous other plant and wildlife
species.
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