United States 

Department of

Agriculture

Fluid Mineral Activities and 

Greater Sage-grouse Conservation

Fluid mineral activities have been identified 

as threats to greater sage-grouse (GRSG)

and their habitat. They have the potential to

fragment habitat, increase noise due to drilling, 

traffic, and compressor stations, and include 

structures that predators may use. These factors

may impact GRSG activities such as breeding,

nesting, feeding, and migration between

seasonal use areas. The following is a general 

summary of the items in the proposed plan 

amendments designed to eliminate or minimize

the impacts of minerals activities on GRSG. All 

actions will be subject to and consistent with 

the rights granted in the lease. Photo courtesy of Shutterstock.com

New oil and gas leases in priority habitat management areas (PHMAs) must include a no surface

occupancy stipulation without waivers or modifications. The Authorized Office may grant an exception to

the no surface occupancy stipulation if there would be no direct, indirect, or cumulative effects on GRSG

or its habitat, and granting the exception provides an alternative to a similar action on a nearby parcel, 

and would provide a net conservation gain to GRSG.

In sagebrush focal areas (SFAs), there will be with no surface occupancy stipulation with no potential for

waivers, exceptions, or modifications.

New oil and gas leases in general habitat management areas (GHMAs) are generally open to leasing, 

subject to application of the standard stipulations and appropriate controlled surface use, timing 

limitation, and no surface occupancy stipulations.

On existing federal leases in PHMAs, GHMAs, and SFAs, when surface occupancy cannot be restricted due

to valid existing rights or development requirements, disturbance and surface occupancy will be limited 

to areas least harmful to the GRSG.

Forest Service

Intermountain Region

324 25th Street

Ogden, UT 84401

www.fs.usda.gov/r4

@usfs_r4 on twitter
United States 

Department of

Agriculture

When authorizing a proposed development in PHMAs, GHMAs, or SFAs, the Forest Service will work with 

the operator to minimize the adverse impacts, such as locating facilities in non-habitat areas first and 

then in the least suitable habitat.

When approving the Surface Use Plan of Operation portion of the Application for Permit to Drill on 

existing leases in PHMAs, GHMAs, and SFAs, the leaseholder will be required to avoid and minimize 

surface disturbing and disruptive activities.

Geothermal (Nevada only)

Geothermal projects in PHMAs outside of SFAs will be considered if the project: 1)uses the best available 

science, 2) is within the disturbance cap, 3) mitigation measures are consistent the Mitigation Strategy 

and project-mitigation measures including lek buffers..

Split Oil and Gas Estate

In PHMAs, GHMAs, and SFAs, where the federal government manages the mineral estate and the surface

is in non-federal ownership, the Forest Service will coordinate with the mineral estate owner/lessee

to apply appropriate stipulations, conditions of approval, conservation measures, and required design

features.

On existing federal leases in PHMAs, GHMAs, and SFAs, when surface occupancy cannot be restricted,

disturbance and surface occupancy will be limited to areas least harmful to the GRSG.

Forest Service

Intermountain Region

324 25th Street

Ogden, UT 84401

www.fs.usda.gov/r4

@usfs_r4 on twiller