North Dakota 

Greater Sage-Grouse 

Approved Resource Management Plan 

Amendment 

Attachment 2 

From the Record of Decision and Approved Resource Management Plan Amendments for 

the Rocky Mountain Region including the Greater Sage-Grouse Sub-Regions of: Lewistown, 

North Dakota, Northwest Colorado, and Wyoming and the Approved Resource 

Management Plans for: Billings, Buffalo, Cody, HiLine, Miles City, Pompeys Pillar National 

Monument, South Dakota, and Worland 

Prepared by 

US Department of the Interior 

Bureau of Land Management 

North Dakota Field Office 

September 2015 
MISSION STATEMENT 

The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land, the most 

of any Federal agency. This land, known as the National System of 

Public Lands, is primarily located in 12 Western states, including Alaska. 

The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral 

estate throughout the nation. The BLM's mission is to manage and 

conserve the public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and 

future generations under our mandate of multiple-use and sustained 

yield. In Fiscal Year 2014, the BLM generated $5.2 billion in receipts 

from public lands. 

BLM/MT/PL-15/008+1610 
State Director Recommendation for Approval 

I hereby recommend for approval the North Dakota Greater Sage-Grouse Resource Management Plan 

Amendment. 

~ I I~ c:lo/6 I 

Dat'tP 
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September 2015 North Dakota Greater Sage-Grouse Approved RMP Amendment i 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Chapter Page 

1. INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................ 1-1

1.1 Description of the North Dakota Subregional Planning Area ........................................... 1-1

1.2 Purpose and Need ........................................................................................................................ 1-6

1.3 North Dakota Subregional GRSG Conservation Summary ............................................... 1-7

1.4 Planning Criteria .......................................................................................................................... 1-10

2. APPROVED RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLAN AMENDMENT......................................... 2-1

2.1 Approved Resource Management Plan Amendment Instructions .................................... 2-1

2.2 Goals, Objectives, and Management Decisions ..................................................................... 2-2

2.2.1 Special Status Species (SSS) ......................................................................................... 2-3

2.2.2 Habitat Restoration/Vegetation Management (VEG) .......................................... 2-10

2.2.3 Fire and Fuels Management (FIRE) .......................................................................... 2-11

2.2.4 Livestock Grazing (LG) ............................................................................................... 2-13

2.2.5 Mineral Resources (MR) ............................................................................................ 2-16

2.2.6 Lands and Realty (LR) ................................................................................................. 2-19

2.2.7 Recreation (REC) ......................................................................................................... 2-21

2.2.8 Travel and Transportation (TTM) ........................................................................... 2-21

3. CONSULTATION, COORDINATION, AND PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT ................................ 3-1

3.1 Consultation and Coordination ................................................................................................ 3-1

3.1.1 Section 7 Consultation................................................................................................. 3-1

3.1.2 Native American Consultation ................................................................................... 3-1

3.2 Public Involvement ........................................................................................................................ 3-2

4. PLAN IMPLEMENTATION ............................................................................................... 4-1

4.1 Implementing the Plan ................................................................................................................. 4-1

4.2 Maintaining the Plan...................................................................................................................... 4-2

4.3 Changing the Plan ......................................................................................................................... 4-2

4.4 Plan Evaluation and Monitoring ................................................................................................. 4-2

5. GLOSSARY ..................................................................................................................... 5-1

6. REFERENCES.................................................................................................................. 6-1

TABLES Page 

1-1 Land Management in the Planning Area ................................................................................................. 1-5

1-2 Acres of PHMA and GHMA in the Decision Area for the ARMPA ................................................ 1-5

1-3 Acres of GRSG Habitat by County in the Decision Area (BLM Lands only)1 .............................. 1-6

1-4 Threats to GRSG in the North Dakota Subregion as identified by the Conservation 

Objectives Team .......................................................................................................................................... 1-7

1-5 Key Components of the North Dakota GRSG ARMPA Addressing COT Report Threats ..... 1-8

2-1 Summary of Allocation Decisions by GRSG Habitat Management Areas ...................................... 2-3

2-2 Habitat Objectives for GRSG ................................................................................................................... 2-4
ii North Dakota Greater Sage-Grouse Approved RMP Amendment September 2015 

FIGURES Page 

1-1 North Dakota Planning Area, Surface Management and Subsurface Estate .................................. 1-2

1-2 North Dakota Planning Area, Greater Sage-Grouse Habitat Management Areas across 

All Jurisdictions ............................................................................................................................................. 1-3

1-3 North Dakota Decision Area, Greater Sage-Grouse Habitat Management Areas for 

BLM Administered Lands ........................................................................................................................... 1-4

Appendix A (Figures 2-1 through 2-13): 

2-1 North Dakota Habitat Management Areas 

2-2 North Dakota and South Dakota GRSG Biologically Significant Unit and Priority Habitat 

Management Areas 

2-3 North Dakota Livestock Grazing 

2-4 North Dakota Fluid Minerals (Oil, Gas, and Geothermal) 

2-5 North Dakota Locatable Minerals 

2-6 North Dakota Salable Minerals (Mineral Materials) 

2-7 North Dakota Non-Energy Leasable Minerals 

2-8 North Dakota Wind 

2-9 North Dakota Solar 

2-10a North Dakota Major Rights-of-Way 

2-10b North Dakota Minor Rights-of-Way 

2-11 North Dakota Land Tenure 

2-12 North Dakota Trails and Travel Management 

2-13 North Dakota Coal 

APPENDICES

A Approved RMP Amendment Maps 

B Applying Lek Buffer Distances When Approving Actions 

C Required Design Features 

D The Greater Sage-Grouse Monitoring Framework 

E Greater Sage-Grouse Disturbance Caps 

F Regional Mitigation Strategy 

G Oil and Gas Stipulations 

H GRSG Wildfire and Invasive Species Habitat Assessment 
September 2015 North Dakota Greater Sage-Grouse Approved RMP Amendment iii

ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS Full Phrase

AMP allotment management plan 

ARMPA approved resource management plan amendment 

BLM Bureau of Land Management 

BSU biologically significant unit 

CEQ Council on Environmental Quality 

CFR Code of Federal Regulations 

COA condition of approval 

COT Conservation Objectives Team 

CSU controlled surface use 

DOI US Department of the Interior 

EIS environmental impact statement 

ES&R emergency stabilization and rehabilitation 

ESA Endangered Species Act 

ESD ecological site description 

FLPMA Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 

GHMA general habitat management area(s) 

GRSG Greater Sage-Grouse 

kV kilovolt 

NEPA National Environmental Policy Act 

NOA Notice of Availability 

NSO No Surface Occupancy 

OHV off-highway vehicle 

PFC proper functioning condition 

PHMA priority habitat management area(s) 

RDF required design feature 

RMP resource management plan 

ROD record of decision 

ROW right-of-way 

USFWS US Fish and Wildlife Service 

WAFWA Western Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies 
Table of Contents

iv North Dakota Greater Sage-Grouse Approved RMP Amendment September 2015

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September 2015 North Dakota Greater Sage-Grouse Approved RMP Amendment 1-1

CHAPTER 1

INTRODUCTION

The Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (FLPMA) directs the US Department of the 

Interior (DOI), Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to develop and periodically revise or amend its 

resource management plans (RMPs), which guide management of BLM-administered lands. 

This Approved Resource Management Plan Amendment (ARMPA) is the result of the March 2010 US 

Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) 12-Month Finding for Petitions to List the Greater Sage-Grouse 

(Centrocercus urophasianus) as Threatened or Endangered (75 Federal Register 13910, March 23, 2010; 

USFWS 2010). In that finding, the USFWS concluded that the Greater Sage-Grouse (GRSG) was 

“warranted, but precluded” for listing as a threatened or endangered species. 

The USFWS reviewed the status of and threats to the GRSG in relation to the five listing factors 

provided in Section 4(a)(1) of the Endangered Species Act (ESA). The USFWS determined that Factor A, 

“the present or threatened destruction, modification, or curtailment of the habitat or range of the 

GRSG,” and Factor D, “the inadequacy of existing regulatory mechanisms,” posed “a significant threat to 

the GRSG now and in the foreseeable future” (USFWS 2010). The USFWS identified the principal 

regulatory mechanisms for the BLM as conservation measures in RMPs.

1.1 DESCRIPTION OF THE NORTH DAKOTA SUBREGIONAL PLANNING AREA

The ARMPA planning area boundary includes all lands regardless of jurisdiction (see Figure 1-1, North 

Dakota Planning Area, Surface Management and Subsurface Estate, and Figure 1-2, North Dakota 

Planning Area, Greater Sage-Grouse Habitat Management Areas across All Jurisdictions). Table 1-1,

Land Management in the Planning Area, outlines the amount of surface acres that are administered by 

specific federal agencies, states, local governments, and lands that are privately owned in the planning 

area. The planning area includes other BLM-administered lands that are not allocated as habitat 

management areas for GRSG. The ARMPA does not establish any additional management for these 

lands; these lands will continue to be managed according to the existing, underlying RMP for the area.

The decision area for the ARMPA is BLM-administered lands in GRSG habitat management areas (see 

Figure 1-3, North Dakota Decision Area, Greater Sage-Grouse Habitat Management Areas for BLM 

Administered Lands), including surface and split-estate lands with BLM subsurface mineral rights. Any
1. Introduction 1-2 North Dakota Greater Sage-Grouse Approved RMP Amendment September 2015
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1. Introduction 1-4 North Dakota Greater Sage-Grouse Approved RMP Amendment September 2015
1. Introduction

September 2015 North Dakota Greater Sage-Grouse Approved RMP Amendment 1-5

Table 1-1

Land Management in the Planning Area

Surface Land Management Total Surface Land 

Management Acres

BLM1 33,030

Forest Service 140,432

Private 741,607

USFWS 638

North Dakota School Trust 40,894

Water 6,416

Total acres 963,017

Source: BLM 2012

1

Planning area acres include additional acres that are not PHMA or GHMA on BLMadministered lands.

decisions in the ARMPA apply only to BLM-administered lands, including split-estate lands within GRSG 

habitat management areas (the decision area). These decisions are limited to providing land use planning 

direction specific to conserving GRSG and its habitat. 

GRSG habitat on BLM-administered lands in the decision area consists of lands allocated as priority 

habitat management areas (PHMA) and general habitat management areas (GHMA; see Table 1-2).

Table 1-2

Acres of PHMA and GHMA in the Decision Area for the ARMPA

Surface and Subsurface Land 

Management PHMA GHMA

BLM-administered surface acres 32,900 80

BLM-administered federal mineral estate 167,291 109,905

Source: BLM 2012

PHMA and GHMA are defined as follows: 

 PHMA—BLM-administered lands identified as having the highest value to maintaining 

sustainable GRSG populations. Areas of PHMA largely coincide with areas identified as 

Priority Areas for Conservation in the USFWS’s Conservation Objectives Team (COT)

report. These areas include breeding, late brood-rearing, and winter concentration areas.

 GHMA—BLM-administered lands where some special management will apply to sustain 

GRSG populations. Areas of occupied seasonal or year-round habitat outside of PHMA.

PHMA and GHMA on BLM-administered lands in the decision area fall within one county in 

southwestern North Dakota (see Table 1-3, Acres of GRSG Habitat by County in the Decision Area 

(BLM Lands only)1).

The North Dakota RMP (BLM 1988) is hereby amended to incorporate appropriate GRSG conservation 

measures.
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1-6 North Dakota Greater Sage-Grouse Approved RMP Amendment September 2015

Table 1-3

Acres of GRSG Habitat by County in the Decision Area (BLM Lands 

only)1

County Name ARMPA

PHMA GHMA TOTAL

Bowman 32,900 80 32,980

Slope 0 0 0

Golden Valley 0 0 0

Total 32,900 80 32,980

Source: BLM 2012

1Does not include subsurface mineral estate under BLM jurisdiction.

1.2 PURPOSE AND NEED

The BLM has prepared this ARMPA with an associated environmental impact statement (EIS) to amend

the North Dakota RMP for the North Dakota Field Office containing GRSG habitat. This planning 

process is needed to respond to the USFWS’s March 2010 “warranted, but precluded” ESA listing 

petition decision for GRSG. The USFWS identified (1) the present or threatened destruction, 

modification, or curtailment of habitat or range and (2) the inadequacy of existing regulatory 

mechanisms as significant threats, and identified the principal regulatory mechanisms for the BLM as 

conservation measures incorporated in land use plans.

The purpose of the ARMPA is to identify and incorporate appropriate measures in existing land use 

plans to conserve, enhance, and restore GRSG habitat by avoiding, minimizing, or compensating for

unavoidable impacts on GRSG habitat in the context of the BLM’s multiple use and sustained yield 

mission under FLPMA. Changes in management of GRSG habitats are necessary to avoid the continued 

decline of populations across the species’ range. This ARMPA focuses on areas affected by threats to 

GRSG habitat identified by the USFWS in the March 2010 listing decision and in the USFWS 2013 COT 

report. 

The major threats to GRSG or its habitat that apply to the North Dakota Subregion (or the Dakotas 

population) are as follows:

 Infrastructure—Fragmentation of GRSG habitat due to human development activities, such 

as right-of-way (ROW) and renewable energy development

 Infrastructure—Fragmentation of GRSG habitat due to range improvements

 Invasive species—Conversion of GRSG habitat to invasive annual grass-dominated (e.g., 

cheatgrass) plant communities

 Wildfire—Loss of large areas of GRSG habitat due to wildfire

 Grazing—Loss of habitat components due to livestock and large wildlife use

 Agriculture and urbanization—Fragmentation of GRSG habitat or modification of GRSG 

behavior due to conversion of land to agricultural and urban uses

 Disease—Loss of GRSG to disease, primarily West Nile virus
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September 2015 North Dakota Greater Sage-Grouse Approved RMP Amendment 1-7

 Hard rock mining/coal strip mining—Fragmentation of GRSG habitat due to mineral 

exploration and development

 Prescribed fire—Loss of GRSG sagebrush habitat

 Human uses—Fragmentation of GRSG habitat or modification of GRSG behavior due to 

human uses

 Conifer encroachment—Encroachment of pinyon and juniper into GRSG habitat

 Water development—Fragmentation of GRSG habitat due to range improvements

Based on the relatively limited amount of management authority the BLM has over the designated GRSG 

habitat within the planning area (approximately 7 percent of the surface estate), coordination and 

partnerships with private landowners and other agencies will be key to ensuring conservation and 

habitat improvement.

1.3 NORTH DAKOTA SUBREGIONAL GRSG CONSERVATION SUMMARY

The ARMPA identifies and incorporates conservation measures to conserve, enhance, and restore 

GRSG habitat by avoiding, minimizing, and compensating for unavoidable impacts of threats to GRSG 

habitat. The ARMPA addresses threats to GRSG and its habitat identified by the GRSG National 

Technical Team (NTT), by the USFWS in the March 2010 listing decision, as well as those threats 

described in the USFWS’s COT report. In accordance with that report, the USFWS identified threats by 

GRSG population across the range and stated whether that threat is present and widespread, present 

but localized, or unknown for that specific population. 

Table 1-4 identifies the GRSG populations and threats identified by the COT contained within the 

North Dakota Subregion.

Table 1-4

Threats to GRSG in the North Dakota Subregion as identified by the Conservation 

Objectives Team1

GRSG Identified 

Populations from the 

COT Report 

Applicable to the 

North Dakota

Subregion

Unit NumberIsolated Small SizeSagebrush EliminationAgriculture ConversionFireConifersWeeds/Annual GrassesEnergyMiningInfrastructureImproper GrazingFree-Roaming EquidsRecreationUrbanization

North Dakota and South 

Dakota 1 Y L L Y U L Y Y Y L N N N

Source: USFWS 2013

1Threats are characterized as Y = threat is present and widespread, L = threat present but localized, N = threat is 

not known to be present, and U = unknown.
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1-8 North Dakota Greater Sage-Grouse Approved RMP Amendment September 2015

Table 1-5 provides a crosswalk as to how the ARMPA for the North Dakota Subregion addresses the 

threats from the COT report.

Table 1-5

Key Components of the North Dakota GRSG ARMPA Addressing COT Report Threats

Threats to GRSG 

and its Habitat 

(from COT Report)

Key Component of the North Dakota ARMPA

All threats  Require and ensure mitigation that provides a net conservation gain to 

GRSG for actions that result in habitat loss and degradation.

 Monitor implementation and effectiveness of conservation measures in 

GRSG habitats according to the Habitat Assessment Framework.

All development 

threats, including 

mining, infrastructure, 

and energy 

development

 PHMA—Implement an anthropogenic disturbance cap of 3% within the

biologically significant unit (BSU) and proposed project analysis areas.

 PHMA—Implement a density cap of an average of 1 energy and mining

facility per 640 acres.

 Apply necessary buffers based on project type and location to address 

impacts on leks when authorizing actions in GRSG habitat. 

 Apply required design features (RDFs) when authorizing actions in GRSG 

habitat.

 Minimize effects of infrastructure projects, including siting, using the best 

available science, updated as monitoring information on current 

infrastructure projects becomes available.

Energy development—

fluid minerals 

 PHMA—Open to fluid mineral leasing subject to no surface occupancy

(NSO) stipulation, without waiver or modification and with limited

exception. 

 GHMA—Open to fluid mineral leasing subject to controlled surface use

(CSU) stipulation.

 Prioritize the leasing and development of fluid mineral resources outside of 

GRSG habitat.

Energy development—

wind energy

 PHMA—Exclusion area (not available for wind energy development under 

any conditions)

 GHMA—Avoidance area (may be available for wind energy development

with special stipulations).

Energy development—

solar energy

 PHMA—Exclusion area (not available for solar energy development under 

any conditions).

 GHMA—Avoidance area (may be available for solar energy development

with special stipulations).

Infrastructure—major 

ROWs 

 PHMA—Avoidance area (may be available for major ROWs with special 

stipulations).

 GHMA—Avoidance area (may be available for major ROWs with special 

stipulations).

Infrastructure—minor 

ROWs

 PHMA—Avoidance area (may be available for minor ROWs with special 

stipulations).

Mining—locatable 

minerals

 Apply RDFs to locatable minerals consistent with applicable law.

Mining—nonenergy 

leasable minerals

 PHMA—Closed area (not available for nonenergy leasable minerals).
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September 2015 North Dakota Greater Sage-Grouse Approved RMP Amendment 1-9

Table 1-5

Key Components of the North Dakota GRSG ARMPA Addressing COT Report Threats

Threats to GRSG 

and its Habitat 

(from COT Report)

Key Component of the North Dakota ARMPA

Mining—salable 

minerals

 PHMA—Closed area (not available for salable minerals).

Mining—coal  PHMA is essential habitat for GRSG for purposes of the suitability criteria 

set forth at 43 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), Part 3461.5(o)(1).

Improper livestock 

grazing

 Prioritize the review and processing of grazing permits/leases in PHMA.

 Include in the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) analysis for 

renewals and modifications of grazing permits/leases specific management 

thresholds, based on the GRSG Habitat Objectives Table, land health 

standards, and ecological site potential, to allow adjustments to grazing 

that have already been subjected to NEPA analysis.

 Prioritize field checks in PHMA to ensure compliance with the terms and 

conditions of grazing permits

Free-roaming equid 

(wild horses and 

burros) management

 Not applicable; free-roaming equids do not occur within the planning area.

Range management 

structures

 Allow range improvements that do not impact GRSGs or that provide a 

conservation benefit to GRSGs, such as fences for protecting important 

seasonal habitats.

Recreation  PHMA—Do not construct new recreation facilities.

 Allow special recreation permits only if their effects on GRSG and its

habitat are neutral or beneficial for GRSG habitat.

Fire  Identify and prioritize areas that are vulnerable to wildfires and prescribe 

actions important for GRSG protection.

 Prioritize post-fire treatments in PHMA.

Nonnative, invasive 

plant species

 Improve GRSG habitat by restoring native (or desirable) plants and create 

landscape patterns that most benefit GRSG.

 PHMA and GHMA—Monitor for and treat invasive and noxious weed

species associated with existing range improvement projects.

 Use integrated vegetation management to control, suppress, and eradicate, 

where possible, noxious and invasive species.

Sagebrush removal  PHMA—Maintain all lands ecologically capable of producing sagebrush (but 

no less than 70%) with a minimum of 15% sagebrush cover or as consistent 

with specific ecological site conditions.

 Ensure that all BLM use authorizations contain terms and conditions

regarding the actions needed to meet or progress toward meeting the

habitat objectives for GRSG.

Pinyon and juniper 

expansion

 Remove conifers encroaching into sagebrush habitats, in a manner that 

considers tribal cultural values, prioritizing occupied GRSG habitat.

Agricultural 

conversion and 

exurban development

 Retain GRSG habitat under federal management.
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1-10 North Dakota Greater Sage-Grouse Approved RMP Amendment September 2015

This ARMPA also identifies and incorporates measures that are designed to conserve, enhance, and 

restore GRSG habitat. Specifically, the ARMPA requires the following summarized management 

decisions, subject to valid existing rights:

 Providing a framework for prioritizing areas in PHMA and GHMA for wildfire, invasive 

annual grass, and conifer treatments

 Requiring specific design features for certain land and realty uses

 Limiting new development where a disturbance cap has been reached

 Including GRSG habitat objectives in land health standards, as appropriate

 Adjusting grazing practices as necessary based on GRSG habitat objectives, land health 

standards, and ecological site potential

The ARMPA also establishes screening criteria and conditions for new anthropogenic activities in PHMA 

and GHMA to ensure a net conservation gain to GRSG. The ARMPA will reduce habitat disturbance and 

fragmentation by limiting surface-disturbing activities, while addressing changes in resource condition and 

use through monitoring and plan evaluations.

For a full description of the BLM’s ARMPA, see Section 2, Approved Resource Management Plan 

Amendment.

1.4 PLANNING CRITERIA

Planning criteria are based on appropriate laws, regulations, BLM manual and handbook sections, and 

policy directives. Criteria are also based on public participation and coordination with cooperating 

agencies, other federal agencies, state and local governments, and Native American tribes. Planning 

criteria are the standards, rules, and factors used as a framework to resolve issues and develop 

alternatives. Planning criteria are prepared to ensure decision-making is tailored to the issues and to 

ensure that the BLM avoid unnecessary data collection and analysis. Preliminary planning criteria were 

included in the Draft RMPA/Draft EIS and were further refined for the Proposed RMPA/Final EIS. 

Planning criteria carried forward for this ARMPA are as follows:

 The BLM used the USFWS’s Greater Sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus) Conservation 

Objectives: Final Report (USFWS 2013), Western Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies’

(WAFWA) Conservation Assessment of Greater Sage-Grouse and Sagebrush Habitats 

(Connelly et al. 2004), US Geological Survey’s Summary of Science, Activities, Programs and 

Policies that Influence the Rangewide Conservation of Greater Sage-Grouse (Centrocercus 

urophasianus) (Manier et al. 2013), and any other appropriate resources to identify GRSG 

habitat requirements and BMPs.

 The ARMPA is consistent with the BLM’s 2011 National Sage-Grouse Conservation 

Strategy.

 The ARMPA complies with FLPMA, NEPA, and Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ)

regulations at 40 CFR, Parts 1500-1508, and DOI regulations at 43 CFR, Parts 46 and 1600; 

the BLM H-1601-1 Land Use Planning Handbook, “Appendix C: Program-Specific and 

Resource-Specific Decision Guidance Requirements” for affected resource programs (BLM 
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September 2015 North Dakota Greater Sage-Grouse Approved RMP Amendment 1-11

2005); the 2008 BLM NEPA Handbook (H-1790-1; BLM 2008); and all other applicable BLM 

policies and guidance.

 The ARMPA is limited to making land use planning decisions specific to the conservation of 

GRSG habitat.

 The BLM considered allocations and prescriptive standards to conserve GRSG habitat, as 

well as objectives and management actions to restore, enhance, and improve GRSG habitat.

 The ARMPA recognizes valid existing rights.

 Lands addressed in the ARMPA are BLM-administered lands (including surface estate/splitestate lands) in GRSG habitats. Any decisions in the ARMPA apply only to BLM-administered 

lands.

 The BLM used a collaborative and multi-jurisdictional approach, where appropriate, to 

determine the desired future condition of BLM-administered lands for the conservation of 

GRSG and their habitats.

 As described by law and policy, the BLM ensured that conservation measures are as 

consistent as possible with other planning jurisdictions within the planning area boundaries.

 The BLM considered a range of reasonable alternatives, including appropriate management 

prescriptions that focus on the relative values of resources, while contributing to the 

conservation of the GRSG and its habitat.

 The BLM analyzed socioeconomic impacts of the alternatives, using an accepted inputoutput quantitative model, such as IMPLAN.

 The BLM used current scientific information, research, and technologies and the results of 

inventory, monitoring, and coordination to determine appropriate local and regional 

management strategies that will enhance or restore GRSG habitat.

 For BLM-administered lands, all activities and uses within GRSG habitats follow existing land 

health standards. Guidelines for livestock grazing and other programs that have developed 

guidelines are applicable to all alternatives for BLM-administered lands.

 The BLM consulted with Native American tribes.

 The BLM coordinated with state, local, and tribal governments to ensure that it considered

provisions of pertinent plans, resolved inconsistencies between state, local, and tribal plans, 

and provided ample opportunities for state, local, and tribal governments to comment on 

the development of amendments or revisions.

 Reasonably foreseeable development scenarios and planning for fluid minerals followed BLM 

Handbook H-1624-1 (BLM 1990) and current fluid minerals manual guidance for fluid 

mineral (oil and gas, coal bed methane, oil shale) and geothermal resources.

 The RMPAs were developed using an interdisciplinary approach to prepare reasonably

foreseeable development scenarios, to identify alternatives, and to analyze resource impacts, 

including cumulative impacts on natural and cultural resources and the social and economic 

environment.
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1-12 North Dakota Greater Sage-Grouse Approved RMP Amendment September 2015

 The most current, approved, BLM corporate spatial data was supported by current 

metadata and used to ascertain GRSG habitat extent and quality. Data was consistent with 

the principles of the Information Quality Act of 2000 (Data Quality Act).

 State game and fish agencies’ GRSG data and expertise was used to the fullest extent 

practicable in making management determinations on federal lands. State game and fish 

agencies have the responsibility and authority to manage wildlife.

 Analysis of impacts in the plan amendments addressed the resources and resource programs 

identified in the National Technical Team report (A Report on National Greater SageGrouse Conservation Measures; NTT 2011) and alternatives that contained specific 

management measures for conservation of GRSG habitat.

 Resources and resource programs that do not contain specific management direction for 

GRSG and that may be indirectly affected by proposed management actions were identified 

and discussed only to the degree required to fully understand the range of effects of the 

proposed management actions.

 Where more restrictive land use allocations or decisions are made in the North Dakota 

RMP for such other resources as cultural and riparian, those more restrictive land use 

allocations or decisions will remain in effect and are not amended by this ARMPA.
September 2015 North Dakota Greater Sage-Grouse Approved RMP Amendment 2-1

CHAPTER 2

APPROVED RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLAN 

AMENDMENT

2.1 APPROVED RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLAN AMENDMENT INSTRUCTIONS

This ARMPA is now the baseline plan for management for GRSG in North Dakota Field Office. The 

ARMPA adopts the management described in the North Dakota Greater Sage-Grouse Proposed 

Resource Management Plan Amendment and Final Environmental Impact Statement (2015), with 

modifications and clarifications as described in the Modifications and Clarifications section of the record of 

decision (ROD).

In the event there are inconsistencies or discrepancies between previously approved RMPs and this 

ARMPA, the decisions contained in this ARMPA will be followed, unless there are more restrictive 

decisions in the existing plans. The more restrictive decisions in the existing plans will be implemented. 

The BLM will continue to tier to statewide, national, and programmatic EISs and NEPA and other 

planning documents. The BLM will consider and apply RDFs or other management protocols contained 

in other planning documents after appropriate site-specific analysis.

All future resource authorizations and actions in GRSG habitat will conform to or be consistent with the 

decisions contained in this ARMPA. All existing operations and activities authorized under permits, 

contracts, cooperative agreements, or other authorizations will be modified, as necessary and 

appropriate, to conform to this plan amendment within a reasonable time frame. However, this ARMPA

does not repeal valid existing rights on public lands. A valid existing right is a claim or authorization that 

takes precedence over the decisions developed in this plan. If such authorizations come up for review 

and can be modified, they will also be brought into conformance with this plan amendment, as 

appropriate.

While the Final EIS for the North Dakota Proposed GRSG RMP Amendment constitutes compliance 

with NEPA for the broad-scale decisions made in this ARMPA, the BLM will continue to prepare 

environmental assessments and EISs where appropriate as part of implementation level planning and 

decision-making.
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2-2 North Dakota Greater Sage-Grouse Approved RMP Amendment September 2015

2.2 GOALS, OBJECTIVES, AND MANAGEMENT DECISIONS

This section of the ARMPA presents the goals, objectives, land use allocations, and management actions 

established for protecting and preserving GRSG and its habitat on public lands managed by the BLM in 

North Dakota. These management actions/decisions are presented by program area. A Monitoring 

Framework is also included (in Appendix D) to describe how the implemented program decisions will 

be monitored.

This section is organized by program area beginning with the Special Status Species (SS) program, which 

identifies specific goals, objectives, and management actions for GRSG and its habitat. For ease of 

identification into the future, each program area has identified abbreviations (see below) for these 

program areas and each decision in that program is numbered in coordination with the abbreviation:

 Special Status Species (SSS)

 Habitat Restoration/Vegetation Management (VEG)

 Fire and Fuels Management (FIRE)

– Fuels Management 

– Fire Operations

– Emergency Stabilization and Rehabilitation

 Livestock Grazing (LG)

– Implementation Management Action After Land Health Evaluations

– Riparian Areas and Wet Meadows

– Treatments to Increase Forage for Livestock/Wild Ungulates

– Structural Range Improvement and Livestock Management Tools

 Mineral Resources (MR)

– Unleased Federal Fluid Mineral Estate

– Leased Federal Fluid Mineral Estate

– Coal

– Locatable Minerals 

– Mineral Materials

– Nonenergy Leasable Minerals

– Mineral Split Estate

 Lands and Realty (LR)

– Rights-of-Way

– Land Tenure Adjustment

 Recreation (REC)

 Travel and Transportation (TTM)
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September 2015 North Dakota Greater Sage-Grouse Approved RMP Amendment 2-3

Table 2-1 is a summary of the allocation decisions presented for each GRSG habitat management area.

Table 2-1

Summary of Allocation Decisions by GRSG Habitat Management Areas

Resource PHMA GHMA

Land Tenure Retain Retain

Solar Exclusion Avoidance

Wind Exclusion Avoidance

Major ROWs Avoidance Avoidance

Minor ROWs Avoidance Open

Oil and Gas Open with Major Stipulations Open with Minor Stipulations

Geothermal Open with Major Stipulations Open with Minor Stipulations

Nonenergy Leasables Closed Open

Mineral Materials Closed Open

Locatable Minerals Open Open

Travel Management Limited Limited

Livestock Grazing Open Open

2.2.1 Special Status Species (SSS)

Goal SSS-1: Maintain and/or increase GRSG abundance and distribution by conserving, 

enhancing, or restoring the sagebrush ecosystem upon which populations depend, in cooperation 

with other conservation partners.

Objective SSS-1.1: Protect PHMA from anthropogenic disturbances that will reduce distribution or 

abundance of GRSG. Manage PHMA so that discrete anthropogenic disturbances cover less than 3% of 

the total GRSG habitat.

Objective SSS-1.2: Habitat Delineation: Delineate PHMA to encompass the 100% Breeding Bird 

Density map: 32,900 BLM surface acres (7% of total PHMA acres). Since mapping 75% of breeding bird 

density map misses the majority of GRSG habitat in North Dakota, 100% was used. See Figure 2-1, 

North Dakota Habitat Management Areas (Appendix A, Approved RMP Amendment Maps).

Objective SSS-1.3: Habitat Delineation: Delineate GHMA to encompass the remainder of the habitat: 

80 BLM surface acres. See Figure 2-1 (Appendix A).

Objective SSS-1.4: These habitat objectives in Table 2-2, Habitat Objectives for GRSG, summarize 

the characteristics that research has found represent the seasonal habitat needs for GRSG. The specific 

seasonal components identified in Table 2-2 were adjusted based on local science and monitoring data 

to define the range of characteristics used in this subregion. Thus, the habitat objectives provide the 

broad vegetative conditions we strive to obtain across the landscape that indicate the seasonal habitats 

used by GRSG. These habitat indicators are consistent with the rangeland health indicators used by the 

BLM.
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2-4 North Dakota Greater Sage-Grouse Approved RMP Amendment September 2015

Table 2-2

Habitat Objectives for GRSG

Attribute Indicators Desired 

Condition Reference

BREEDING AND NESTING (Seasonal Use Period March 1 - June 15) 

Lek

Security 

Proximity of 

trees

0.388 miles 

avoidance of 

coniferous 

habitats

Doherty, K. E. 2008. Sage-grouse and Energy Development: 

Integrating Science with Conservation Planning to Reduce Impacts. 

(Doctoral dissertation, the University of (Montana) Missoula. 

Internet website: http://etd.lib.umt.edu/theses/available/etd03262009-132629/unrestricted/doherty.pdf.

Proximity of 

sagebrush to 

leks

Adjacent 

protective 

sagebrush cover 

within 328 feet 

(ft.) (100 meters 

[m]) of an 

occupied lek

Sage‐Grouse Habitat Assessment Framework, Multi-scale Habitat 

Assessment Tool (unpublished report). August 2010. BLM, Idaho 

State Office. Boise.

Cover % of seasonal 

habitat 

meeting 

desired 

conditions

80% of the 

nesting habitat 

within 3.1 miles 

of GRSG leks

meets the 

recommended 

vegetation 

characteristics, 

where 

appropriate 

(relative to 

ecological site 

potential, etc.)

Knick, S. T. and J. W. Connelly, 2011. Greater Sage-grouse, Ecology 

and Conservation of a Landscape Species and its Habitats. Studies in 

Avian Biology No. 38. A Publication of the Cooper 

Ornithological Society, University of California Press. Berkeley. 

pp. 1–9.

Stiver, S. J., E. T. Rinkes, D. E. Naugle, 2010. Sage-Grouse Habitat 

Assessment Framework. US Bureau of Land Management, Idaho 

State Office, Boise. 

Sagebrush 

cover 

≥5-25% Herman—Brunson, K. M. 2007. Nesting and Brood-rearing success 

and habitat selection of Greater Sage-Grouse and associated survival 

of hens and broods at the edge of their historic distribution. Master’s 

thesis, South Dakota State University, Brookings.

Swanson, C. C. 2009. Ecology of Greater Sage-grouse in the Dakotas.

Doctor of Philosophy, South Dakota State University, Brookings.

Doherty, K. E., Naugle, D. E., Walker, B. L. 2010. Greater SageGrouse Nesting Habitat: The Importance of Managing at Multiple 

Scales. The Journal of Wildlife Management 74 (7):1544-1553. 

2010.

Sagebrush 

height

7-30 inches Swanson, C. C. 2009. Ecology of Greater Sage-grouse in the 

Dakotas. Doctor of Philosophy, South Dakota State University, 

Brookings.

Holloran, M. J., Heath, B. J., Lyon, A. G. 2005. Greater SageGrouse Nesting Habitat Selection and Success in Wyoming. Journal 

of Wildlife Management 69 (2):638-649.

Herman—Brunson, K. M. 2007. Nesting and Brood-rearing success 

and habitat selection of Greater Sage-Grouse and associated survival 

of hens and broods at the edge of their historic distribution. Master’s 

thesis, South Dakota State University, Brookings.
2. Approved Resource Management Plan Amendment

September 2015 North Dakota Greater Sage-Grouse Approved RMP Amendment 2-5

Table 2-2

Habitat Objectives for GRSG

Attribute Indicators Desired 

Condition Reference

Predominant 

sagebrush 

shape

Predominately 

spreading shape

Stiver, S. J., E. T. Rinkes, D. E. Naugle, 2010. Sage-Grouse Habitat 

Assessment Framework. US Bureau of Land Management, Idaho 

State Office, Boise.

Perennial 

grass cover

(such as 

native 

grasses)

≥10% Not 

Continuous 

Doherty, K. E., Beck, J. L., Naugle, D. E. 2011. Comparing 

Ecological Site Descriptions to Habitat Characteristics Influencing 

Greater Sage-Grouse Nest Site Occurrence and Success. Rangeland 

Ecol Management 64:344-341 1 July 2011 1 DOI:10.2111?REMD-10-00120.1

Holloran, M. J., Heath, B. J., Lyon, A. G. 2005. “Greater SageGrouse Nesting Habitat Selection and Success in Wyoming.” 

Journal of Wildlife Management 69 (2):638-649. 2005.

Doherty, K. E., Naugle, D. E., Walker, B. L. 2010. “Greater SageGrouse Nesting Habitat: The Importance of Managing at Multiple 

Scales.” The Journal of Wildlife Management 74 (7):1544-1553. 

2010

Hagen, C. A., Connelly, J. W., Schroedeer, M. A. 2007. A Metaanalysis of Greater Sage-grouse Centrocercus urophasianus Nesting 

and Brood-rearing Habitats. Wildlife Biology, 13 (sp1):42-50.

Perennial 

grass and 

forb height

(includes 

residual 

grasses)

Adequate nest 

cover based on 

ecological site 

potential and 

seasonal 

precipitation; 

4.4-11.3 inches1

K. E. Doherty, K. E. Naugle, J. D. Tack, B. L. Walker, J. M. 

Graham and J. L. Beck. Linking conservation actions to demography: 

grass height explains variation in greater sage-grouse nest survival.

Wildlife Biology 20 (6):320-326. 2014.

Perennial forb 

cover

≥5% Not 

Continuous 

Doherty, K. E., Beck, J. L., Naugle, D. E. 2011. Comparing 

Ecological Site Descriptions to Habitat Characteristics Influencing 

Greater Sage-Grouse Nest Site Occurrence and Success. Rangeland 

Ecol Management 64:344-341 1 July 2011 1 DOI:10.2111?REMD-10-00120.1

Holloran, M. J., Heath, B. J., Lyon, A. G. 2005. Greater SageGrouse Nesting Habitat Selection and Success in Wyoming. Journal 

of Wildlife Management 69 (2):638-649.

Doherty, K. E., Naugle, D. E., Walker, B. L. 2010. Greater SageGrouse Nesting Habitat: The Importance of Managing at Multiple 

Scales. The Journal of Wildlife Management 74 (7):1544-1553.

Hagen, C. A., Connelly, J. W., Schroedeer, M. A. 2007. A Metaanalysis of Greater Sage-grouse Centrocercus urophasianus Nesting 

and Brood-rearing Habitats. Wildlife Biology, 13 (sp1):42-50.
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2-6 North Dakota Greater Sage-Grouse Approved RMP Amendment September 2015

Table 2-2

Habitat Objectives for GRSG

Attribute Indicators Desired 

Condition Reference

BROOD-REARING/SUMMER (Seasonal Use Period June 16-October 31) 

Cover % of seasonal 

habitat 

meeting 

desired 

condition

>40% of the 

broodrearing/summer 

habitat meets 

recommended 

brood habitat 

characteristics 

where 

appropriate, 

relative to site 

potential and 

seasonal 

precipitation.

Stiver, S. J., E. T. Rinkes, D. E. Naugle, 2010. Sage-Grouse Habitat 

Assessment Framework. US Bureau of Land Management, Idaho 

State Office, Boise. 

Sagebrush 

cover

≥5 % Herman—Brunson, K. M. 2007. Nesting and Brood-rearing success 

and habitat selection of Greater Sage-Grouse and associated survival 

of hens and broods at the edge of their historic distribution. Master’s 

thesis, South Dakota State University, Brookings.

Swanson, C. C. 2009. Ecology of Greater Sage-grouse in the Dakotas.

Doctor of Philosophy, South Dakota State University, Brookings.

Doherty, K. E., Naugle, D. E., Walker, B. L. 2010. Greater SageGrouse Nesting Habitat: The Importance of Managing at Multiple 

Scales. The Journal of Wildlife Management 74 (7):1544-1553.

Hagen, C. A., Connelly, J. W., Schroedeer, M. A. 2007. A Metaanalysis of Greater Sage-grouse Centrocercus urophasianus Nesting 

and Brood-rearing Habitats. Wildlife Biology, 13 (sp1):42-50.

Doherty, K. E., Beck, J. L., Naugle, D. E. 2011. Comparing 

Ecological Site Descriptions to Habitat Characteristics Influencing 

Greater Sage-Grouse Nest Site Occurrence and Success. Rangeland 

Ecol Management 64:344-341 1 July 2011 1 DOI:10.2111?REMD-10-00120.1.

Sagebrush 

height

7-30 inches Herman—Brunson, K. M. 2007. Nesting and Brood-rearing success 

and habitat selection of Greater Sage-Grouse and associated survival 

of hens and broods at the edge of their historic distribution. Master’s 

thesis, South Dakota State University, Brookings.

Doherty, K. E., Beck, J. L., Naugle, D. E. 2011. Comparing 

Ecological Site Descriptions to Habitat Characteristics Influencing 

Greater Sage-Grouse Nest Site Occurrence and Success. Rangeland 

Ecol Management 64:344-341 1 July 2011 1 DOI:10.2111?REMD-10-00120.1.

Holloran, M. J., Heath, B. J., Lyon, A. G. 2005. Greater SageGrouse Nesting Habitat Selection and Success in Wyoming. Journal 

of Wildlife Management 69 (2):638-649.
2. Approved Resource Management Plan Amendment

September 2015 North Dakota Greater Sage-Grouse Approved RMP Amendment 2-7

Table 2-2

Habitat Objectives for GRSG

Attribute Indicators Desired 

Condition Reference

Schroeder et al. 1999. Greater Sage-Grouse (Centrocercus 

urophasianus) [Internet website], The Birds of North America 

Online (A. Poole, Ed.). Ithaca: Cornell Lab of Ornithology; 

Accessed February 22, 2011. Available at: Birds of North 

America Online: 

http://bna.birds.cornell.edu/bna/species/425/articles/introduction

Perennial 

grass and 

forbs

≥20%

Forbs 6-16%

Doherty, K. E., Beck, J. L., Naugle, D. E. 2011. Comparing 

Ecological Site Descriptions to Habitat Characteristics Influencing 

Greater Sage-Grouse Nest Site Occurrence and Success. Rangeland 

Ecol Management 64:344-341 1 July 2011 1 DOI:10.2111?REMD-10-00120.1.

Holloran, M. J., Heath, B. J., Lyon, A. G. 2005. Greater SageGrouse Nesting Habitat Selection and Success in Wyoming. Journal 

of Wildlife Management 69 (2):638-649.

Doherty, K. E., Naugle, D. E., Walker, B. L. 2010. Greater SageGrouse Nesting Habitat: The Importance of Managing at Multiple 

Scales. The Journal of Wildlife Management 74 (7):1544-1553.

Herman—Brunson, K. M. 2007. Nesting and Brood-rearing success 

and habitat selection of Greater Sage-Grouse and associated survival 

of hens and broods at the edge of their historic distribution. Master’s 

thesis, South Dakota State University, Brooking.

Riparian

areas/mesic 

meadows

Proper 

Functioning 

Condition

BLM, 1997c. Record of Decision for Standards for Rangeland Health 

and Guidelines for Livestock Grazing Management Final 

Environmental Impact Statement for Montana and North and South 

Dakota. August 7, 1997. BLM, Montana State Office. Billings.

Prichard, D., F. Berg, S. Leonard, M. Manning, W. Hagenbuck, R. 

Krapf, C. Noble, J. Staats, and R. Leinard. 1999. Riparian Area 

Management A User Guide to Assessing Proper Functioning Condition

and the Supporting Science for Lentic Areas (TR 1737-16). Prepared 

for the United States Department of the Interior and the United 

States Department of Agriculture. BLM, National Applied 

Resource Sciences Center. Denver, Colorado.

Prichard, D., 1998. Riparian Area Management, A User Guide to 

Assessing Proper Functioning Condition and the Supporting Science for 

Lotic Areas (TR 1737-15). Prepared for the United States 

Department of the Interior and the United States Department 

of Agriculture. BLM, National Applied Resource Sciences 

Center. Denver, Colorado.
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2-8 North Dakota Greater Sage-Grouse Approved RMP Amendment September 2015

Table 2-2

Habitat Objectives for GRSG

Attribute Indicators Desired 

Condition Reference

Upland and 

riparian

perennial forb 

availability

Preferred forbs 

are common 

with several 

preferred 

species present.

Stiver, S. J., E. T. Rinkes, D. E. Naugle, 2010. Sage-Grouse Habitat 

Assessment Framework. US Bureau of Land Management, Idaho 

State Office, Boise.

Doherty, K. E., Beck, J. L., Naugle, D. E. 2011. Comparing 

Ecological Site Descriptions to Habitat Characteristics Influencing 

Greater Sage-Grouse Nest Site Occurrence and Success. Rangeland 

Ecol Management 64:344-341 1 July 2011 1 DOI:10.2111?REMD-10-00120.1.

WINTER (Seasonal Use Period November 1-February 28)

Cover and 

Food 

% of seasonal 

habitat 

meeting 

desired 

conditions

>80% of 

wintering 

habitat meets 

winter habitat

characteristics 

where 

appropriate 

(relative to 

ecological site, 

etc.).

Stiver, S. J., E. T. Rinkes, D. E. Naugle, 2010. Sage-Grouse Habitat 

Assessment Framework. US Bureau of Land Management, Idaho 

State Office, Boise. 

Sagebrush 

cover above 

snow

≥10% Schroeder et al. 1999. Greater Sage-Grouse (Centrocercus 

urophasianus) [Internet website], The Birds of North America 

Online (A. Poole, Ed.). Ithaca: Cornell Lab of Ornithology; 

Accessed February 22, 2011. Internet website: Birds of North 

America Online: 

http://bna.birds.cornell.edu/bna/species/425/articles/introduction

Swanson, C. C. 2009. Ecology of Greater Sage-grouse in the 

Dakotas. Doctor of Philosophy, South Dakota State University, 

Brookings.

Sagebrush 

height above 

snow

≥ 6 inches (Schroeder et al. 1999. Greater Sage-Grouse (Centrocercus 

urophasianus) [Internet website], The Birds of North America 

Online (A. Poole, Ed.). Ithaca: Cornell Lab of Ornithology; 

Accessed February 22, 2011. Available at: Birds of North 

America Online: 

http://bna.birds.cornell.edu/bna/species/425/articles/introduction

Doherty, K. E., Beck, J. L., Naugle, D. E. 2011. Comparing 

Ecological Site Descriptions to Habitat Characteristics Influencing 

Greater Sage-Grouse Nest Site Occurrence and Success. Rangeland 

Ecol Management 64:344-341 1 July 2011 1 DOI:10.2111?REMD-10-00120.1.

Swanson, C. C. 2009. Ecology of Greater Sage-grouse in the 

Dakotas. Doctor of Philosophy, South Dakota State University, 

Brookings.

1Specific height requirements needed to meet the objective will be set at the time of watershed assessments.
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September 2015 North Dakota Greater Sage-Grouse Approved RMP Amendment 2-9

The habitat objectives will be part of the GRSG habitat assessment to be used during land health 

evaluations (see Appendix D, The Greater Sage-Grouse Monitoring Framework). These habitat 

objectives are not obtainable on every acre within the designated GRSG habitat management areas. 

Therefore, the determination on whether the objectives have been met will be based on the specific 

site's ecological ability to meet the desired condition identified in Table 2-2.

All BLM use authorizations will contain terms and conditions regarding the actions needed to meet or 

progress toward meeting the habitat objectives. If monitoring data show the habitat objectives have not 

been met nor progress being made towards meeting them, there will be an evaluation and a 

determination made as to the cause. If it is determined that the authorized use is a cause, the use will be 

adjusted by the response specified in the instrument that authorized the use.

Management Actions

Action SSS-1.1: Protect PHMA from anthropogenic disturbances that will reduce distribution or 

abundance of GRSG. See Appendix E, Greater Sage-Grouse Disturbance Caps. In undertaking BLM 

management actions, and consistent with valid and existing rights and applicable law in authorizing thirdparty actions, the BLM will apply the lek buffer-distances identified in the US Geological Survey Report 

Conservation Buffer Distance Estimates for Greater Sage-Grouse—A Review (Open File Report 2014-

1239) in accordance with Appendix B, Applying Lek Buffer Distances When Approving Actions.

Action SSS-1.2: If the 3% anthropogenic disturbance cap is exceeded on lands (regardless of 

landownership) within GRSG PHMA in any given BSU (see Figure 2-2, North Dakota and South 

Dakota GRSG Biologically Significant Unit and Priority Habitat Management Areas [Appendix A]), then 

no further discrete anthropogenic disturbances (subject to applicable laws and regulations, such as the 

1872 hard rock mining law, valid existing rights, etc.) will be permitted by BLM within GRSG PHMA in 

any given BSU until the disturbance has been reduced to less than the cap. (BSU for this ARMPA is the 

summary of all the PHMA within the Dakotas GRSG population as delineated by USFWS.)

Action SSS-1.3: If the 3% anthropogenic disturbance cap is exceeded on lands (regardless of 

landownership) or if anthropogenic disturbance and habitat loss associated with conversion to 

agricultural tillage or fire exceed 5% within a project analysis area in PHMA, then no further discrete 

anthropogenic disturbances (subject to applicable laws and regulations, such as the 1872 Mining Law, 

valid existing rights, etc.) will be permitted by BLM within PHMA in a project analysis area until the 

disturbance has been reduced to less than the cap.

Action SSS-1.4: Subject to applicable laws and regulations and valid existing rights, if the average 

density of one energy and mining facility per 640 acres (the density cap) is exceeded on all lands 

(regardless of landownership) in the PHMA within a proposed project analysis area, then no further 

disturbance from energy or mining facilities will be permitted by BLM: (1) until disturbance in the 

proposed project analysis area has been reduced to maintain the limit under the cap; or (2) unless the 

energy or mining facility is co-located into an existing disturbed area.

Action SSS-1.5: Implement Regional Mitigation Strategy (Appendix F, Regional Mitigation Strategy).
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2-10 North Dakota Greater Sage-Grouse Approved RMP Amendment September 2015

2.2.2 Habitat Restoration/Vegetation Management (VEG)

Objective VEG-1.1: In all PHMA, the desired condition is to maintain all lands ecologically capable of 

producing sagebrush (but no less than 70%) with a minimum of 15% sagebrush cover or as consistent 

with specific ecological site conditions. The attributes necessary to sustain these habitats are described 

in Interpreting Indicators of Rangeland Health (BLM Tech Ref 1734-6).

Management Actions

Action VEG-1.1: Remove conifers encroaching into sagebrush habitats, in a manner that considers 

tribal cultural values. Prioritize treatments closest to occupied GRSG habitats and near occupied leks, 

and where juniper encroachment is phase 1 or phase 2. Use of site-specific analysis and principles like 

those included in RMRS-GTR-326: Using resistance and resilience concepts to reduce impacts of invasive 

annual grasses and altered fire regimes on the sagebrush ecosystem and GRSG: A strategic multi-scale 

approach (Chambers et al., 2014) and other ongoing modeling efforts to address conifer encroachment 

will help refine the location for specific priority areas to be treated.

Action VEG -1.2: Consideration for other threatened, endangered or sensitive species will be 

evaluated in addition to GRSG when prioritizing restoration projects.

Action VEG -1.3: Include GRSG habitat parameters as defined by State of North Dakota Sage-Grouse 

conservation plans and appropriate local information in habitat restoration objectives. Make meeting 

these objectives within PHMA the highest restoration priority, along with other priority species habitat.

Action VEG -1.4: In PHMA, require use of native seeds for restoration based on availability, adaptation 

(ecological site potential), and probability of success. Where probability of success or adapted seed 

availability is low, non-native seeds may be used as long as they support GRSG habitat objectives.

Action VEG -1.5: Design post restoration management to ensure long-term persistence in PHMA. 

This could include changes in livestock grazing management, travel management, etc., to achieve and 

maintain the desired condition of the restoration effort that benefits GRSG.

Action VEG -1.6: In PHMA, consider potential changes in climate when proposing restoration seedings 

when using native plants. Consider collection from the warmer component of the species current range 

when selecting native species.

Action VEG -1.7: In PHMA, restore native (or desirable) plants and create landscape patterns which 

most benefit GRSG, as well as other priority species.

Action VEG -1.8: Make re-establishment of sagebrush cover and desirable understory plants (relative 

to ecological site potential) a high priority for restoration efforts in PHMA. Prioritize areas for juniper 

removal to benefit GRSG habitat.

Action VEG -1.9: In PHMA fire prone areas, where sagebrush seed is required for GRSG habitat 

restoration, consider establishing seed harvest areas that are managed for seed production and are a 

priority for protection from outside disturbances.

Action VEG - 1.10: Treat areas that contain cheatgrass and other invasive or noxious species to 

minimize competition and favor establishment of desired species.
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September 2015 North Dakota Greater Sage-Grouse Approved RMP Amendment 2-11

2.2.3 Fire and Fuels Management (FIRE)

Fuels Management

Management Actions

Action FIRE-1.1: In PHMA, design and implement fuels treatments with an emphasis on protecting 

existing sagebrush ecosystems.

 Do not reduce sagebrush cover to less than 15% unless a fuels management objective 

requires additional reduction in sagebrush cover to meet strategic protection of PHMA and 

conserve habitat quality for the species. Closely evaluate the benefits of the fuel break 

against the additional loss of sagebrush cover in future NEPA documents.

 Apply appropriate seasonal restrictions for implementing fuels management treatments 

according to the type of seasonal habitats present in a priority area.

 If prescribed fire is used in GRSG habitat, the NEPA analysis for the Burn Plan will address:

– why alternative techniques were not selected as a viable options;

– how GRSG goals and objectives will be met by its use; 

– how the COT report objectives will be addressed and met;

– a risk assessment to address how potential threats to GRSG habitat will be 

minimized.

 Prescribed fire as a vegetation or fuels treatment shall only be considered after the NEPA 

analysis for the Burn Plan has addressed the four bullets outlined above. Prescribed fire can

be used to meet specific fuels objectives that will protect GRSG habitat in PHMA (e.g., 

creation of fuel breaks that will disrupt the fuel continuity across the landscape in stands 

where annual invasive grasses are a minor component in the understory, burning slash piles 

from conifer reduction treatments, used as a component with other treatment methods to 

combat annual grasses and restore native plant communities).

 Prescribed fire in known winter range shall only be considered after the NEPA analysis for 

the Burn Plan has addressed the four bullets outlined above. Any prescribed fire in winter 

habitat will need to be designed to strategically reduce wildfire risk around and/or in the 

winter range and designed to protect winter range habitat quality.

 Monitor and control invasive vegetation post-treatment. 

 Rest treated areas from grazing for two full growing seasons unless vegetation recovery 

dictates otherwise. 

 Require use of native seeds for fuels management treatment based on availability, adaptation 

(site potential), and probability of success. Where probability of success or native seed 

availability is low, non-native seeds may be used as long as they meet GRSG habitat 

objectives. 

 Design post fuels management projects to ensure long-term persistence of seeded or pretreatment native plants. This may require temporary or long-term changes in livestock 
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2-12 North Dakota Greater Sage-Grouse Approved RMP Amendment September 2015

grazing management, travel management, or other activities to achieve and maintain the 

desired condition of the fuels management project.

Action FIRE -1.2: Design fuels management projects in PHMA to strategically and effectively reduce 

wildfire threats in the greatest area.

Action FIRE -1.3: In PHMA, during fuels management project design, consider the utility of using 

livestock to strategically reduce fine fuels, and implement grazing management that will accomplish this 

objective. Consult with ecologists to minimize impacts on native perennial grasses.

Action FIRE -1.4: If prescribed fire is used, the Burn Plan will clearly indicate how COT objectives will

be addressed and met, and why alternative techniques are not applicable. A fire risk assessment will be 

completed for implementation of prescribed fire used to meet the GRSG goals and objectives in PHMA 

(see Appendix H, GRSG Wildfire and Invasive Species Habitat Assessment).

Fire Operations

Management Actions

Action FIRE -1.5: The protection of human life is the single, overriding priority. Setting priorities 

among protecting human communities and community infrastructure, other property and 

improvements, and natural and cultural resources will be done based on the values to be protected, 

human health and safety, and the costs of protection. In PHMA, prioritize suppression, immediately after 

life and property, to conserve the habitat. See Appendix H, which will be completed to help further 

refine fire management actions once this plan is completed.

Action FIRE -1.6: In GHMA, prioritize suppression where wildfires threaten PHMA.

Action FIRE -1.7: Follow the most current BMPs/RDFs for fire and fuels (Appendix C, Required 

Design Features).

Emergency Stabilization and Rehabilitation

Management Actions

Action FIRE -1.8: In PHMA, prioritize native seed allocation for use in GRSG habitat in years when 

preferred native seed is in short supply. This may require reallocation of native seed from emergency 

stabilization and rehabilitation (ES&R) projects outside of PHMA to those inside it. Use of native plant 

seeds for ES&R seedings is required based on availability, adaptation (site potential), and probability of 

success. Where probability of success or native seed availability is low, non-native seeds may be used as 

long as they meet GRSG habitat conservation objectives. Re-establishment of appropriate sagebrush 

species/subspecies and important understory plants, relative to site potential, shall be the highest 

priority for rehabilitation efforts.

Action FIRE -1.9: In PHMA, design post ES&R management to ensure long-term persistence of seeded 

or pre-burn native plants. This may require temporary or long-term changes in livestock grazing, and 

travel management, etc., to achieve and maintain the desired condition of ES&R projects to benefit 

GRSG.
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September 2015 North Dakota Greater Sage-Grouse Approved RMP Amendment 2-13

Action FIRE -1.10: In PHMA, consider potential changes in climate when proposing post-fire seedings 

using native plants. Consider seed collections from the warmer component within a species’ current 

range for selection of native seed.

2.2.4 Livestock Grazing (LG)

Management Actions

Action LG-1.1: Grazing will be allowed on all lands identified as suitable (approximately 32,945 acres). 

See Figure 2-3, North Dakota Livestock Grazing (Appendix A).

Action LG-1.2: Allocate up to an estimated 5,780 animal unit months to livestock in the long term 

(livestock use set at 25% of average annual forage production).

Action LG-1.3: Within PHMA, incorporate GRSG habitat objectives and management considerations 

into all BLM grazing allotments through allotment management plans (AMP) or permit renewals. 

Develop standards with State of North Dakota and USFWS.

Action LG-1.4: In PHMA, work cooperatively on integrated ranch planning within GRSG habitat so 

operations with deeded/BLM allotments can be planned as single units.

Action LG-1.5: The BLM will prioritize (1) the review of grazing permits/leases, in particular to 

determine if modification is necessary prior to renewal, and (2) the processing of grazing permits/leases 

in PHMA. In setting workload priorities, precedence will be given to existing permits/leases in these 

areas not meeting Land Health Standards, with focus on those containing riparian areas, including wet 

meadows. The BLM may use other criteria for prioritization to respond to urgent natural resource 

concerns (such as fire) and legal obligations. 

The NEPA analysis for renewals and modifications of livestock grazing permits/leases that include lands 

within PHMA will include specific management thresholds, based on GRSG Habitat Objectives (Table 

2-2), Land Health Standards (43 CFR, Part 4180.2) and ecological site potential, and one or more 

defined responses that will allow the authorizing officer to make adjustments to livestock grazing that 

have already been subjected to NEPA analysis.

Allotments within PHMA, focusing on those containing riparian areas, including wet meadows, will be 

prioritized for field checks to help ensure compliance with the terms and conditions of the grazing 

permits. Field checks can include monitoring for actual use, utilization, and use supervision.

Action LG-1.6: In PHMA, conduct land health assessments that include (at a minimum) indicators and 

measurements of structure/condition/composition of vegetation specific to achieving GRSG habitat 

objectives. Local objectives will be developed at the field office level in partnership with North Dakota 

Game and Fish Department and USFWS, and incorporated into AMPs or livestock grazing permits as 

appropriate incorporating best available science.

Action LG-1.7: At the time a permittee or lessee voluntarily relinquishes a permit or lease, the BLM 

will consider whether the public lands where that permitted use was authorized should remain available 

for livestock grazing or be used for other resource management objectives, such as reserve common 
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allotments or fire breaks. This does not apply to or impact grazing preference transfers, which are 

addressed in 43 CFR 4110.2-3.

Implementation Management Action after Land Health Evaluations

Action LG-1.8: Develop specific objectives to conserve, enhance or restore PHMA based on 

ecological site descriptions (ESD) and assessments (including within wetlands and riparian areas). If an 

effective grazing system that meets GRSG habitat requirements is not already in place, analyze at least 

one alternative that conserves, restores or enhances GRSG habitat in the NEPA document prepared for 

the permit renewal.

Action LG-1.9: In PHMA, manage for vegetation composition and structure consistent with GRSG 

seasonal habitat objectives. ESDs can help determine whether or not the GRSG seasonal habitat 

objectives are consistent with the ecological site potential within the reference state. GRSG seasonal 

habitat objectives and ecological site potential within reference states are not always going to be the 

same.

Action LG-1.10: In PHMA, implement management actions (grazing decisions, AMP/Conservation Plan 

development, or other agreements) to modify grazing management to meet State of North Dakota 

seasonal GRSG habitat requirements, where allotment evaluations indicate land health assessments are 

not being met due to livestock. Consider singly, or in combination, changes in:

1. Season or timing of use;

2. Numbers of livestock (includes temporary non-use or livestock removal);

3. Distribution of livestock use;

4. Intensity of use; and

5. Type of livestock (e.g., cattle, sheep, horses, llamas, alpacas, and goats).

Action LG-1.11: During drought periods, prioritize evaluating effects of the drought in PHMA relative 

to their needs for food and cover. Management will continue to be in accordance with the MontanaDakotas Drought Policy (see Appendix H, Drought Policy, in North Dakota Greater Sage-Grouse 

Proposed RMPA/Final EIS).

Riparian Areas and Wet Meadows

Action LG-1.12: Where riparian and wetland areas are already meeting standards, they will be 

maintained in that condition or better. Where a site’s capability is less than proper functioning condition 

(PFC), BLM will manage to achieve or move towards capability.

 Within PHMA and GHMA, manage wet meadows to maintain a component of perennial 

forbs with diverse species richness relative to site potential (e.g., reference state) to 

facilitate brood rearing.

Action LG-1.13: In PHMA, where riparian areas and wet meadows meet PFC, strive to move towards 

GRSG habitat objectives within capabilities of the reference state vegetation relative to the ESD.
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September 2015 North Dakota Greater Sage-Grouse Approved RMP Amendment 2-15

 Example: Within PHMA reduce, where necessary, hot season grazing on riparian and 

meadow complexes to promote recovery or maintenance of appropriate vegetation and 

water quality. Utilize fencing/herding techniques, seasonal use, or livestock distribution 

changes where necessary to reduce pressure on riparian or wet meadow vegetation used by 

GRSG in the hot season (summer).

Action LG-1.14: Authorize new water development for diversion from spring or seep source only 

when PHMA will be maintained or benefit from the development. This includes developing new water 

sources for livestock as part of an AMP/Conservation Plan to improve GRSG habitat.

Action LG-1.15: Analyze springs, seeps and associated pipelines at time of grazing lease renewal to 

determine if modifications are necessary to maintain the continuity of the predevelopment riparian area 

within PHMA. Make modifications where necessary, considering impacts on other water uses when such 

considerations are neutral or beneficial to GRSG.

Treatments to Increase Forage for Livestock/Wild Ungulates

Action LG-1.16: In PHMA, allow treatments that conserve, enhance or restore GRSG habitat as well 

as other priority species habitat (this includes treatments that benefit livestock as part of an 

AMP/Conservation Plan to improve GRSG habitat).

Action LG-1.17: Evaluate the role of existing seedings that are currently composed of primarily 

introduced perennial grasses in and adjacent to PHMA to determine if they should be restored to 

sagebrush or habitat of higher quality for GRSG. If these seedings are part of an AMP/Conservation Plan 

or if they provide value in conserving or enhancing the rest of the PHMA, then no restoration will be 

necessary. Assess the compatibility of these seedings for GRSG habitat or as a component of a grazing 

system during the land health assessments.

Structural Range Improvement and Livestock Management Tools

Action LG-1.18: In PHMA, design any new structural range improvements and location of supplements 

(salt or protein blocks) to conserve, enhance, or restore GRSG habitat through an improved grazing 

management system relative to GRSG objectives. Structural range improvements, in this context, 

include but are not limited to: cattle guards, fences, exclosures, corrals or other livestock handling 

structures; pipelines, troughs, storage tanks (including moveable tanks used in livestock water hauling), 

windmills, ponds/reservoirs, solar panels and spring developments. Potential for invasive species 

establishment or increase following construction must be considered in the project planning process and 

monitored and treated post-construction.

Action LG-1.19: When developing or modifying water developments in PHMA, use applicable RDFs 

(Appendix C) to mitigate potential impacts from West Nile virus.

Action LG-1.20: In PHMA, evaluate existing structural range improvements and location of 

supplements (salt or protein blocks) during grazing lease renewal process to make sure they conserve, 

enhance or restore GRSG habitat.
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2-16 North Dakota Greater Sage-Grouse Approved RMP Amendment September 2015

 To reduce outright GRSG strikes and mortality, remove, modify or mark fences in high risk 

areas within PHMA based on proximity to lek, lek size, and topography.

 Monitor for, and treat invasive species associated with existing range improvements.

2.2.5 Mineral Resources (MR)

Fluid Minerals

Objective MR-1.1: Priority will be given to leasing and development of fluid mineral resources, 

including geothermal, outside of PHMA and GHMA. When analyzing leasing and authorizing 

development of fluid mineral resources, including geothermal, in PHMA and GHMA, and subject to 

applicable stipulations for the conservation of GRSG, priority will be given to development in nonhabitat areas first and then in the least suitable habitat for GRSG. The implementation of these priorities 

will be subject to valid existing rights and any applicable law or regulation, including, but not limited to, 

30 US Code 226(p) and 43 CFR, Part 3162.3-1(h).

Where a proposed fluid mineral development project on an existing lease could adversely affect GRSG 

populations or habitat, the BLM will work with the lessees, operators, or other project proponents to 

avoid, minimize, and apply compensatory mitigation for adverse impacts to the extent compatible with 

lessees' rights to drill and produce fluid mineral resources. The BLM will work with the lessee, operator, 

or project proponent in developing an application for permit to drill for the lease to avoid and minimize 

impacts on GRSG or its habitat and will ensure that the best information about the GRSG and its habitat 

informs and helps to guide development of such Federal leases.

Management Actions

Unleased Federal Fluid Mineral Estate

Action MR-1.1: Open to oil and gas leasing and development; however, surface occupancy and use will

be prohibited within PHMA (NSO). Upon expiration or termination of existing leases, apply NSO. See 

Figure 2-4, North Dakota Fluid Minerals (Oil, Gas, and Geothermal) (Appendix A).

No waivers or modifications to a fluid mineral lease no-surface-occupancy stipulation will be granted.

The BLM Authorized Officer may grant an exception to a fluid mineral lease no-surface-occupancy 

stipulation only where the proposed action:

i. Will not have direct, indirect, or cumulative effects on GRSG or its habitat; or,

ii. Is proposed to be undertaken as an alternative to a similar action occurring on a nearby 

parcel, and will provide a clear conservation gain to GRSG.

Exceptions based on conservation gain (ii) may only be considered in (a) PHMA of mixed ownership 

where federal minerals underlie less than fifty percent of the total surface, or (b) areas of the public 

lands where the proposed exception is an alternative to an action occurring on a nearby parcel subject 

to a valid Federal fluid mineral lease existing as of the date of this RMPA. Exceptions based on 

conservation gain must also include measures, such as enforceable institutional controls and buffers, 

sufficient to allow the BLM to conclude that such benefits will endure for the duration of the proposed 

action’s impacts.
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September 2015 North Dakota Greater Sage-Grouse Approved RMP Amendment 2-17

Any exceptions to this lease stipulation may be approved by the BLM Authorized Officer only with the 

concurrence of the State Director. The BLM Authorized Officer may not grant an exception unless the 

state wildlife agency (NDGF), the USFWS, and the BLM unanimously find that the proposed action

satisfies (i) or (ii). Such finding shall initially be made by a team of one field biologist or other GRSG 

expert from each respective agency. In the event the initial finding is not unanimous, the finding may be 

elevated to the appropriate BLM State Director, USFWS State Ecological Services Director, and NDGF 

Director for final resolution. In the event their finding is not unanimous, the exception will not be 

granted. Approved exceptions will be made publically available at least quarterly.

Action MR-1.2: In GHMA, surface occupancy and use will be subject to special operating constraints 

(CSU) (Appendix G, Oil and Gas Stipulations).

Action MR-1.3: Allow geophysical exploration within PHMA to obtain exploratory information for 

areas outside of and adjacent to PHMA.

Action MR-1.4: Allow geophysical operations by existing roads and trails, or helicopter-portable 

drilling methods, and in accordance with seasonal timing restrictions and/or other restrictions that may 

apply.

Leased Federal Fluid Mineral Estate

Action MR-1.5: During implementation level review and decisions (e.g., approval of an application for 

permit to drill and Sundry Notice) and upon completion of the environmental record of review (43 

CFR, Part 3162.5), include appropriate documentation of compliance with NEPA. In this process 

evaluate, among other things: (1) Whether the conservation measure is “reasonable” (43 CFR, Part 

3101.1-2) with the valid existing rights; and (2) Whether the action is in conformance with the approved 

ARMPA.

Conservation Measure #1: The following operating constraints will be applied to existing leases as 

conditions of approval (COAs) in PHMA and GHMA. Exceptions may be granted by the BLM 

Authorized Officer if an environmental review demonstrates that effects can be mitigated to an 

acceptable level, habitat for the species is not present in the area, or portions of the area can be 

occupied without affecting a particular species. Exceptions may also be granted where the short-term 

effects are mitigated by the long-term benefits. The BLM may add additional site-specific restrictions as 

deemed necessary by further environmental analysis and as developed through coordination with other 

federal, state, and local regulatory and resource agencies.

a. Surface disturbing/disruptive activities will prevent or minimize disturbance to GRSG or 

their habitat. Except as identified above or during emergency situations, activities will not 

compromise the functionality of the habitat.

b. Manage water developments to reduce the spread of West Nile virus within GRSG habitat 

areas.

c. Site and/or minimize linear ROW to reduce disturbance to sagebrush habitats.

d. Maximize placement of new utility developments (power lines, pipelines, etc.) and 

transportation routes in existing ROWs.
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2-18 North Dakota Greater Sage-Grouse Approved RMP Amendment September 2015

e. Power lines will be buried, eliminated, designed or sited in a manner which does not impact 

GRSG.

f. Placement of other high profile structures, exceeding 10 feet in height, will be eliminated, 

designed or sited in a manner which does not impact GRSG.

g. Remote monitoring of production facilities must be utilized and all permit applications must 

contain a plan to reduce the frequency of vehicle use.

h. Maximize the area of interim reclamation on long-term access roads and well pads including 

reshaping, top-soiling and re-vegetating cut and fill slopes. Utilize native grass species mix 

which includes sagebrush and forbs.

i. Restore disturbed areas at final reclamation to pre-disturbance conditions or desired plant 

community. Utilize native grass species mix which includes sagebrush and forbs.

j. Permanent (longer than 2 months) structures which create movement must be designed or 

sited to minimize impacts on GRSG.

k. As reasonable (43 CFR, Part 3101.1‐2), in consideration of valid existing rights, and to 

achieve a net conservation gain, the BLM will require compensatory mitigation when impacts 

cannot be adequately avoided and minimized, and residual impacts will result in habitat loss 

and degradation. Compensatory mitigation actions will align with the recommendations in 

the Regional Mitigation Strategy (see Appendix F), as appropriate. A priority may be given 

to compensatory mitigation actions in the same PHMA as is being impacted, unless a greater 

benefit can be achieved elsewhere. Compensatory mitigation will be considered when no 

feasible options remain to adequately avoid and minimize impacts within and immediately 

adjacent to the impacted site.

Conservation Measure #2: Make applicable RDFs (Appendix C) mandatory as COA within PHMA.

Solid Minerals

Management Actions

Coal

Action MR-1.6: At the time an application for a new coal lease or lease modification is submitted to 

the BLM, the BLM will determine whether the lease application area is "unsuitable" for all or certain coal 

mining methods pursuant to 43 CFR, Part 3461.5. PHMA is essential habitat for maintaining GRSG for 

purposes of the suitability criteria set forth at 43 CFR, Part 3461.5(o)(1). See Figure 2-13, North 

Dakota Coal (Appendix A).

Action MR-1.7: Subsurface mines - Grant no new mining leases unless all surface disturbances 

(appurtenant facilities) are placed outside of PHMA.

Action MR-1.8: In GHMA, apply minimization of surface-disturbing or disrupting activities (including 

operations and maintenance) where needed to reduce the impacts of human activities on important 

seasonal GRSG habitats. Apply these measures during activity level planning.
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September 2015 North Dakota Greater Sage-Grouse Approved RMP Amendment 2-19

 Use additional, effective mitigation to offset impacts as appropriate (determined by local 

options/needs).

Locatable Minerals 

Action MR-1.9: In PHMA, proposed actions under Plan of Operations and Notices will be analyzed on 

a case-by-case basis in cooperation with the State of North Dakota, and RDFs (Appendix C) will be 

applied to the extent consistent with applicable law. See Figure 2-5, North Dakota Locatable Minerals 

(Appendix A).

Mineral Materials 

Action MR-1.10: Close PHMA to mineral material sales. See Figure 2-6, North Dakota Salable 

Minerals (Mineral Materials) (Appendix A).

Action MR-1.11: In PHMA, restore salable mineral pits no longer in use to meet GRSG habitat 

conservation objectives.

Note: Although there are no authorized mineral pits in the planning area, any trespass pits found in the 

planning area will be subject to restoration.

Nonenergy Leasable Minerals

Action MR-1.12: Close PHMA to nonenergy leasable mineral leasing. See Figure 2-7, North Dakota 

Nonenergy Leasables (Appendix A). This includes not permitting any new leases to expand an existing 

mine.

Action MR-1.13: For existing nonenergy leasable mineral leases in PHMA, follow the same RDFs 

applied to fluid minerals (Appendix C), when wells are used for solution mining.

Mineral Split Estate 

Action MR-1.14: Where the federal government owns the mineral estate in PHMA and GHMA, and 

the surface is in non-federal ownership, apply the same stipulations, COAs, and/or conservation 

measures and RDFs applied if the mineral estate is developed on BLM-administered lands in that 

management area, to the maximum extent permissible under existing authorities, and in coordination 

with the landowner.

Action MR-1.15: Where the federal government owns the surface and the mineral estate is in nonfederal ownership in PHMA and GHMA, apply appropriate surface use COAs, stipulations, and mineral 

RDFs through ROW grants or other surface management instruments, to the maximum extent 

permissible under existing authorities, in coordination with the mineral estate owner/lessee.

2.2.6 Lands and Realty (LR)

Objectives

Objective LR-1.1: Effects of infrastructure projects, including siting, will be minimized using the best 

available science, updated as monitoring information on current infrastructure projects becomes 

available.
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2-20 North Dakota Greater Sage-Grouse Approved RMP Amendment September 2015

Management Actions

Rights-of-Way

Action LR-1.1: PHMA will be managed as ROW avoidance area for high-voltage transmission lines 

(100 kilovolt [kV] and over) and large pipelines (24 inches in width and over). See Figure 2-10a, North 

Dakota Major Rights-of-Way (Appendix A).

 Where new ROWs are required, co-locate new ROW within existing ROWs or where it 

best minimizes impacts on GRSG and GRSG habitat.

Action LR-1.2: PHMA will be managed as ROW avoidance area for minor ROWs (including 

communication sites and towers). See Figure 2-10b, North Dakota Minor Rights-of-Way (Appendix 

A).

Action LR-1.3: Make PHMA exclusion area for new ROW wind and solar energy authorizations. See 

Figure 2-8, North Dakota Wind, and Figure 2-9, North Dakota Solar (Appendix A).

Action LR-1.4: When addressing ROW authorizations in PHMA identify and evaluate opportunities to 

remove, bury or modify existing power lines within PHMA.

Action LR-1.5: In PHMA, where existing leases or ROWs have had some level of development (road, 

fence, well, etc.) and are no longer in use, reclaim the site by removing these features and restoring the 

habitat.

Action LR-1.6: GHMA will be managed as ROW avoidance area for high-voltage transmission lines 

(100kV and over) and large pipelines (24 inches in width and over).

Action LR-1.7: Minor ROWs will be allowed in GHMA with appropriate mitigation and conservation 

measures identified within the terms of the authorization to minimize surface disturbing and disruptive 

activities.

Action LR-1.8: Make GHMA avoidance area for new wind and solar energy authorizations. See Figure 

2-8 and Figure 2-9 (Appendix A).

Action LR-1.9: Where new ROWs are necessary in GHMA, co‐locate new ROWs within existing 

ROWs where possible.

Action LR-1.10: PHMA will be avoidance areas for leases/land use authorizations, which can be for 

agricultural, occupancy, or filming. Leases/land use authorizations will be allowed in GHMA with 

appropriate mitigation and conservation measures identified within the terms of the authorization to 

minimize surface disturbing and disruptive activities.

Action LR-1.11: Consider the likelihood of development of not-yet-constructed surface-disturbing 

activities – as defined in Table 2 of the Monitoring Framework (Appendix D)−under valid existing 

rights prior to authorizing new projects in PHMA.
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September 2015 North Dakota Greater Sage-Grouse Approved RMP Amendment 2-21

Land Tenure Adjustment

Action LR-1.12: Lands classified as PHMA and GHMA for GRSG will be retained in federal 

management unless: (1) the BLM can demonstrate that disposal of the lands, including land exchanges,

will provide a net conservation gain to GRSG or (2) the BLM can demonstrate that the disposal, 

including land exchanges, of the lands will have no direct or indirect adverse impact on conservation of 

GRSG. See Figure 2-11, North Dakota Land Tenure (Appendix A).

Action LR-1.13: PHMA will be a priority in consideration of land acquisitions. Consider GRSG for all 

land tenure actions.

Recommend Land Withdrawals

Action LR-1.14: No areas are currently withdrawn from minerals on BLM surface.

Action LR-1.15: In PHMA, do not recommend lands withdrawals (i.e., those not associated with 

mineral activity) unless the land management is consistent with GRSG conservation measures. (For 

example, in a proposed withdrawal for a military training range buffer area, manage the buffer area with 

GRSG conservation measures.)

2.2.7 Recreation (REC)

Management Actions

Action REC-1.1: Only allow Special Recreation Permits that will have neutral or beneficial effects on 

PHMA.

Action REC-1.2: In PHMA, do not construct new recreation facilities (e.g., campgrounds, trails, 

trailheads, and staging areas) unless the development will have a net conservation gain to GRSG habitat 

(such as concentrating recreation, diverting use away from important areas, etc.), or unless the 

development is required for visitor health and safety or resource protection.

2.2.8 Travel and Transportation (TTM)

Management Actions

Action TTM-1.1: In PHMA and GHMA, limit off-high vehicle (OHV) travel to existing roads, primitive 

roads, and trails at a minimum, until such time as travel management planning is complete and routes are 

either designated or closed. See Figure 2-12, North Dakota Trails and Travel Management (Appendix 

A).

Action TTM-1.2: In PHMA, travel management will evaluate the need for permanent, or seasonal, 

road or area closures where vehicle use is causing or will cause adverse effects upon habitat.

Action TTM-1.3: In PHMA and GHMA, complete activity level travel plans within 5 years of the ROD. 

During activity level planning, where appropriate, designate routes in PHMA and GHMA with current 

administrative/agency purpose or need to administrative access only.

Action TTM-1.4: In PHMA, limit route construction to realignments of existing designated routes if 

that realignment has a minimal impact on GRSG habitat, eliminates the need to construct a new road, or 
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2-22 North Dakota Greater Sage-Grouse Approved RMP Amendment September 2015

is necessary for motorist safety. Allow new routes/realignments in PHMA and GHMA during site-specific 

travel planning if it improves GRSG habitat and resource conditions.

Action TTM-1.5: In PHMA, use existing routes, or realignments as described above to access valid 

existing rights that are not yet developed. If valid existing rights cannot be accessed via existing routes, 

then build any new route constructed to the absolute minimum standard necessary.

Action TTM-1.6: In PHMA and GHMA, allow no upgrading of existing routes that will change route 

category (road, primitive road, or trail) or capacity unless the upgrading will have minimal impact on 

GRSG habitat, is necessary for motorist safety, or eliminates the need to construct a new road.

Action TTM-1.7: When travel management plans are complete, conduct restoration of roads, 

primitive roads and trails in PHMA and GHMA.

Action TTM-1.8: When reseeding roads, primitive roads and trails in PHMA and GHMA, use 

appropriate seed mixes and consider the use of transplanted sagebrush.

Action TTM-1.9: In PHMA and GHMA, temporary closures will be considered in accordance with 43 

CFR, subpart 8364 (Closures and Restrictions); 43 CFR, subpart 8351 (Designated National Area); 43 

CFR, subpart 6302 (Use of Wilderness Areas, Prohibited Acts, and Penalties); 43 CFR, subpart 8341 

(Conditions of Use).

Temporary closure or restriction orders under these authorities are enacted at the discretion of the 

BLM Authorized Officer to resolve management conflicts and protect persons, property, and public 

lands and resources. Where a BLM Authorized Officer determines that OHVs are causing or will cause 

considerable adverse effects upon soil, vegetation, wildlife, wildlife habitat, cultural resources, historical 

resources, threatened or endangered species, wilderness suitability, other authorized uses, or other 

resources, the affected areas shall be immediately closed to the type(s) of vehicle causing the adverse 

effect until the adverse effects are eliminated and measures implemented to prevent recurrence. (43 

CFR, Part 8341.2) A closure or restriction order shall be considered only after other management 

strategies and alternatives have been explored. The duration of temporary closure or restriction orders 

shall be limited to 24 months or less; however, certain situations may require longer closures and/or 

iterative temporary closures. This may include closure of routes or areas.
September 2015 North Dakota Greater Sage-Grouse Approved RMP Amendment 3-1

CHAPTER 3

CONSULTATION, COORDINATION, AND PUBLIC 

INVOLVEMENT

The BLM land use planning activities are conducted in accordance with NEPA requirements, CEQ

regulations, and DOI and BLM policies and procedures implementing NEPA. The NEPA and associated 

laws, regulations, and policies require the BLM to seek public involvement early in, and throughout, the 

planning process. Public involvement and agency consultation and coordination, which have been at the

heart of the planning process leading to this ARMPA, were achieved through Federal Register notices, 

public and informal meetings, individual contacts, media releases, planning bulletins, and the Rocky 

Mountain Region – National Greater Sage-Grouse Planning Strategy website (http://www.blm.gov/wo/st/

en/prog/more/sagegrouse/eastern.html).

3.1 CONSULTATION AND COORDINATION

The BLM collaborated with numerous agencies, municipalities, and tribes throughout the preparation of 

this ARMPA. Outreach and collaboration with cooperating agencies are described in Section 6.3 of the 

Proposed RMPA and Final EIS. Four agencies (USFWS, North Dakota Game and Fish Department,

Bowman County Commissioners, and Bowman-Slope Conservation District) accepted the offer to

participate in the BLM planning process as cooperating agencies. The BLM formally invited the

cooperating agencies to participate in developing the alternatives for the RMPA and EIS and to provide 

data and other information related to their agency responsibilities, goals, mandates, and expertise.

3.1.1 Section 7 Consultation

To comply with Section 7(c) of the ESA, the BLM coordinated and consulted with the USFWS early in 

the planning process. The USFWS provided input on planning issues, data collection and review, and 

alternatives development. The proposed actions under all alternatives and the Proposed Plan 

Amendment will have No Effect on any threatened or endangered species in the planning area.

3.1.2 Native American Consultation

In accordance with FLPMA and BLM guidance, the BLM engaged in consultation with Native American 

tribes throughout the planning process. All Native American tribes and organizations with interests in 

the planning area were contacted by mail and encouraged to be cooperating agencies. Letters were 
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3-2 North Dakota Greater Sage-Grouse Approved RMP Amendment September 2015

mailed to the following tribes in December 2011, with follow-up letters mailed in August 2012 (both 

letters offering to meet with the tribes and inviting them to be cooperating agencies):

 Three Affiliated Tribes—Mandan, Hidatsa, and Arikara

 Spirit Lake Sioux Tribe

 Standing Rock Sioux Tribe

 Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa

 Lower Sioux Indian Community

These tribes did not respond to BLM requests for consultation on the RMPA, and the BLM received no 

written comments from tribal agencies during the scoping period. Letters and the Draft EIS were mailed 

to tribes in November 2013, with follow-up phone calls after the release of the Draft EIS. Letters and 

the Final EIS/Proposed Plan were also mailed to the tribes listed above in June 2015. None of the tribes 

raised any concerns during the Draft EIS or Final EIS.

As part of the NEPA scoping and consultation process, and as an opportunity to provide comment in 

accordance with Section 106 of the NHPA, the BLM notified the North Dakota State Historic 

Preservation Officer (SHPO) seeking information on concerns with historic properties and land use 

planning direction included in these ARMPA. The BLM has met its obligations under Section 106 of the 

NHPA, 54 USC, Section 306108, as outlined in the National PA and the state Protocols.

3.2 PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT

The public involvement process, consultation, and coordination conducted for the RMPA are described 

in Chapter 6 of the Proposed RMPA and Final EIS. As required by regulation, public scoping meetings 

were conducted following the publication of the Notice of Intent to prepare an EIS in the Federal Register

on December 9, 2011.

A Notice of Availability (NOA) for the Draft RMPA/EIS was published in the Federal Register on 

September 27, 2013, initiating a 90-day public comment period. Due to the lapse in appropriations and 

the resulting federal government shutdown, the Draft RMPA/EIS was not available on the BLM website 

from October 1 through October 16, 2013. Accordingly, the close of the comment period was 

extended to January 13, 2014. The BLM held a public comment open house for the Draft RMPA/EIS on 

October 22, 2013, in Bowman, North Dakota. The comments received on the Draft RMPA and EIS and 

BLM’s responses were summarized in Appendix L of the Proposed RMPA and Final EIS.

The NOA for the Proposed RMPA and Final EIS was published on May 29, 2015, initiating a 30-day

public protest period and a 60-day Governor’s Consistency review period. The 30-day protest period 

ended on June 29, 2015. The BLM received seven protest letters for North Dakota.
September 2015 North Dakota Greater Sage-Grouse Approved RMP Amendment 4-1

CHAPTER 4

PLAN IMPLEMENTATION

4.1 IMPLEMENTING THE PLAN

Implementation, after a BLM RMP or RMP amendment is approved, is a continuous and active process. 

Management decisions can be characterized as immediate or one-time future decisions.

Immediate decisions—These are the land use planning decisions that go into effect when the ROD is 

signed. They include goals, objectives, allowable uses, and management direction, such as the allocation 

of lands as open or closed for salable minerals, lands open with stipulations for oil and gas leasing, and 

OHV area designations. These decisions require no additional analysis and guide future land management 

actions and subsequent site-specific implementation decisions in the planning area. Proposals for future 

actions, such as oil and gas leasing, land adjustments, and other allocation-based actions, will be reviewed 

against these land use plan decisions to determine if the proposal is in conformance with the plan.

One-time future decisions—These decisions are those that are not implemented until additional 

decision-making and site-specific analysis is completed, such as the development of travel management 

plans. Future one-time decisions require additional analysis and decision-making and are prioritized as 

part of the BLM budget process. Priorities for implementing one-time RMP decisions will be based on 

the following criteria:

 National BLM management direction

 Available resources

General implementation schedule of one-time decisions—Future decisions discussed in this ARMPA will 

be implemented over a period of years, depending on budget and staff availability. After issuing the 

ROD, the BLM will prepare implementation plans that establish tentative time frames for completing 

one-time decisions identified in the ARMPA. These actions require additional site-specific decisionmaking and analysis. 

This schedule will assist BLM managers and staff in preparing budget requests and in scheduling work. 

However, the proposed schedule must be considered tentative and will be affected by future funding, 

nondiscretionary workloads, and cooperation by partners and external publics. Yearly review of the plan 
4. Plan Implementation

4-2 North Dakota Greater Sage-Grouse Approved RMP Amendment September 2015

will provide consistent tracking of accomplishments and information that can be used to develop annual 

budget requests to continue implementation.

4.2 MAINTAINING THE PLAN

The ARMPA can be maintained as necessary to reflect minor changes in data. Plan maintenance is limited 

to further refining or documenting a previously approved decision incorporated in the plan or for 

clarifying previously approved decisions. 

The BLM expects that new information gathered from field inventories and assessments, research, other 

agency studies, and other sources will update baseline data and will support new management 

techniques, best management practices, and scientific principles. Where monitoring shows land use plan 

actions or best management practices are not effective, plan maintenance or plan amendment may begin, 

as appropriate. Plan maintenance will be documented in supporting records; plan maintenance does not 

require formal public involvement, interagency coordination, or the NEPA analysis required for making 

new land use plan decisions.

4.3 CHANGING THE PLAN

The ARMPA may be changed, should conditions warrant, through a plan amendment or plan revision 

process. A plan amendment may become necessary if major changes are needed or to consider a 

proposal or action that is not in conformance with the plan. The results of monitoring, evaluation of 

new data, or policy changes and changing public needs might also provide a need for a plan amendment. 

If several areas of the plan become outdated or otherwise obsolete, a plan revision may become 

necessary. Plan amendments and revisions are accomplished with public input and the appropriate level 

of environmental analysis conducted according to CEQ procedures for implementing NEPA.

New information may lead to changes in delineated GRSG habitat. New habitat areas, or areas that are 

no longer habitat, may be identified. This adjustment would typically result in small changes to areas 

requiring the stipulations or management actions stated in this plan. Modifications to GRSG habitat, 

based on the best scientific information and in coordination with the NDGF and USFWS, would be 

updated in the existing data inventory through plan maintenance or plan amendment/revision, as 

appropriate.

4.4 PLAN EVALUATION AND MONITORING

Plan evaluation is the process by which the plan and monitoring data are reviewed to determine if 

management goals and objectives are being met and if management direction is sound. Land use plan 

evaluations determine if decisions are being implemented, if mitigation measures are satisfactory, if there 

are significant changes in the related plans of other entities, if there is new data of significance to the 

plan, and if decisions should be modified via amendment or revision. Monitoring data gathered over time 

is examined and used to draw conclusions on whether management actions are meeting stated 

objectives, and if not, why not. Conclusions are then used to make recommendations on whether to 

continue current management or to identify what changes need to be made in management practices to 

meet objectives.

The BLM will use land use plan evaluations to determine if the decisions in the ARMPA, supported by 

the accompanying NEPA analysis, are still valid in light of new information and monitoring data.

Evaluations will follow the protocols established by the BLM Land Use Planning Handbook (H-1601-1) 
4. Plan Implementation

September 2015 North Dakota Greater Sage-Grouse Approved RMP Amendment 4-3

or other appropriate guidance in effect at the time the evaluation is initiated. The Monitoring 

Framework for this ARMPA can be found in Appendix D.
4. Plan Implementation

4-4 North Dakota Greater Sage-Grouse Approved RMP Amendment September 2015

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September 2015 North Dakota Greater Sage-Grouse Approved RMP Amendment 5-1

CHAPTER 5

GLOSSARY

Acquisition. Lands can be acquired to facilitate various resource management objectives. Acquisitions, 

including easements, can be completed through exchange, Land and Water Conservation Fund 

purchases, donations, or receipts from the Federal Land Transaction Facilitation Act sales or exchanges.

Activity plan. A type of implementation plan (see Implementation plan), this usually describes multiple 

projects and applies best management practices to meet land use plan objectives. Examples of activity 

plans are interdisciplinary management plans, habitat management plans, recreation area management 

plans, and grazing plans.

Actual use. The amount of animal unit months consumed by livestock based on the numbers of 

livestock and grazing dates submitted by the livestock operator and confirmed by periodic field checks 

by the BLM.

Administrative access. This is used to describe access for resource management and administrative 

purposes, such as fire suppression, cadastral surveys, permit compliance, law enforcement and military in 

the performance of their official duties, or other access needed to administer BLM‐administered lands 

or uses.

Allotment. An area of land in which one or more livestock operators graze their livestock. Allotments 

generally consist of BLM-administered lands but may include other federally managed, state-owned, and 

private lands. An allotment may include one or more separate pastures. Livestock numbers and periods

of use are specified for each allotment. 

Allotment management plan (AMP). A concisely written program of livestock grazing

management, including supportive measures if required, designed to attain specific, multiple-use 

management goals in a grazing allotment. An AMP is prepared in consultation with the permittees, 

lessees, and other affected interests. Livestock grazing is considered in relation to other uses of the 

range and to renewable resources, such as watersheds, vegetation, and wildlife. An AMP establishes 

seasons of use, the number of livestock to be permitted, the range improvements needed, and the 

grazing system.
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5-2 North Dakota Greater Sage-Grouse Approved RMP Amendment September 2015

Amendment. The process for considering or making changes in the terms, conditions, and decisions 

of approved resource management plans or management framework plans.

Animal unit month. The amount of forage necessary to sustain one cow or its equivalent for one 

month. 

Anthropogenic disturbances. Human-created features that include paved highways, graded gravel 

roads, transmission lines, substations, wind turbines, oil and gas wells, geothermal wells and associated 

facilities, pipelines, landfills, agricultural conversion, homes, and mines.

Area of Critical Environmental Concern (ACEC). Special area designation, established through 

the BLM’s land use planning process (43 CFR, Part 1610.7-2), where special management attention is 

required (when such areas are developed or used or where no development is required) to protect and 

prevent irreparable damage to important historic, cultural, or scenic values, fish and wildlife resources, 

or other natural systems or processes, or to protect life and safety from natural hazards. The level of 

allowable use within an ACEC is established through the collaborative planning process. Designation of 

an ACEC allows for resource use limitations in order to protect identified resources or values.

Authorized/authorized use. This is an activity (i.e., resource use) occurring on public lands that is 

both explicitly or implicitly recognized and legalized by law or regulation. This term may refer to those 

activities on public lands for which the BLM, Forest Service, or other appropriate authority has issued a 

formal authorization document, such as a livestock grazing lease/permit, right-of-way grant, coal lease, or

oil and gas permit to drill. Formally authorized uses typically involve some type of commercial activity, 

facility placement, or event. These formally authorized uses are often limited in time or area. Unless 

constrained or bound by statute, regulation, or an approved land use plan decision, legal activities

involving public enjoyment and use of public lands, for example, hiking, camping, and hunting, require no 

formal BLM or Forest Service authorization.

Avoidance/avoidance area. These terms usually address mitigation of some activity (i.e., resource 

use). Paraphrasing the CEQ regulations (40 CFR, Part 1508.20), avoidance means to circumvent or 

bypass an impact altogether by not taking a certain action or parts of an action. Therefore, avoidance 

does not necessarily prohibit a proposed activity, but it may require the relocation of an action, or the 

total redesign of an action to eliminate any potential impacts resulting from it. Also see the definition of

right-of-way avoidance area.

Baseline. The preexisting condition of a defined area or resource that can be quantified by an 

appropriate measurement. During environmental reviews, the baseline is considered the affected 

environment that exists at the time of the review’s initiation and is used to compare predictions of the 

effects of the proposed action or a reasonable range of alternatives.

Best management practices (BMPs). A suite of techniques that guide or may be applied to 

management actions to aide in achieving desired outcomes. BMPs are often developed in conjunction 

with land use plans, but they are not considered a planning decision unless the plans specify that they are 

mandatory.

Big game. Indigenous, ungulate (hoofed) wildlife species that are hunted, such as elk, deer, bison, 

bighorn sheep, and pronghorn antelope.
5. Glossary

September 2015 North Dakota Greater Sage-Grouse Approved RMP Amendment 5-3

Biologically significant unit. Delineation of GRSG habitat based on GRSG interactions between 

population management units to represent local GRSG population habitat and use areas within the 

subregion.

BLM sensitive species. Those species that are not federally listed as endangered, threatened, or 

proposed under the Endangered Species Act but that are designated by the BLM State Director under 

16 USC, Section 1536(a)(2), for special management consideration. By national policy, federally listed 

candidate species are automatically included as sensitive species. Sensitive species are managed so they 

will not need to be listed as proposed, threatened, or endangered under the Endangered Species Act.

Casual use. Casual use means activities ordinarily resulting in no or negligible disturbance of the public 

lands, resources, or improvements. For examples of casual use for ROWs, see 43 CFR, Part 2801.5, and

for locatable minerals, see 43 CFR, Part 3809.5.

Chemical vegetation treatment. Application of herbicides to control invasive species/noxious 

weeds or unwanted vegetation. To meet resource objectives, the preponderance of chemical treatments 

would be used in areas where cheatgrass or noxious weeds have invaded sagebrush steppe.

Closed area. This is an area where off-road vehicle use is prohibited. Use of off-road vehicles in closed 

areas may be allowed for certain reasons but only with the approval of the authorized officer. (43 CFR, 

Part 8340.0-5 [h]).

Collaboration. A cooperative process in which interested parties, often with widely varied interests, 

work together to seek solutions with broad support for managing public and other lands. Collaboration 

may take place with any interested parties, whether or not they are cooperating agencies.

Communication site. Sites that include broadcast-type uses, such as television, AM/FM radio, cable 

television, and broadcast translator, and non-broadcast uses, such as commercial or private mobile radio 

service, cellular telephone, microwave, local exchange network, and passive reflectors.

Condition class (fire regime). This is a measure describing the degree of departure from historical 

fire regimes, possibly resulting in alterations of key ecosystem components, such as species composition, 

structural stage, stand age, canopy closure, and fuel loadings. One or more of the following activities 

may have caused this departure: fire suppression, timber harvesting, livestock grazing, introduction and 

establishment of exotic plant species, insects, or disease, or other management activities.

Conformance. This requires that a proposed action be specifically provided for in the land use plan or, 

if not specifically mentioned, that it be clearly consistent with the goals, objectives, or standards of the 

approved land use plan.

Conservation measures. Measures to conserve, enhance, or restore GRSG habitat by reducing, 

eliminating, or minimizing threats.

Conservation plan. The recorded decisions of landowners or operators, cooperating with a 

conservation district, on how the landowners or operators plan, within practical limits, to use their land 

according to its capability and to treat it according to its needs for maintenance or improvement of the 

soil, water, animal, plant, and air resources.
5. Glossary

5-4 North Dakota Greater Sage-Grouse Approved RMP Amendment September 2015

Conservation strategy. A strategy outlining current activities or threats that are contributing to the 

decline of a species, along with the actions or strategies needed to reverse or eliminate such a decline 

or threat. Conservation strategies are generally developed for species of plants and animals that are 

designated as BLM sensitive species or that have been determined by the USFWS or National 

Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration-Fisheries to be federal candidates under the ESA.

Controlled surface use. This is a category of moderate constraint stipulations that allows some use 

and occupancy of public land, while protecting identified resources or values and is applicable to fluid 

mineral leasing and all activities associated with fluid mineral leasing, such as truck-mounted drilling and 

geophysical exploration equipment off designated routes, and construction of wells or pads. CSU areas 

are open to fluid mineral leasing, but the stipulation allows the BLM to require special operational 

constraints, or the activity can be shifted more than 656 feet to protect the specified resource or value.

Cooperating agency. Assists the lead federal agency in developing an environmental assessment or 

environmental impact statement. This can be any agency with jurisdiction by law or special expertise for 

proposals covered by NEPA (40 CFR, Part 1501.6). Any tribe or federal, state, or local government 

jurisdiction with such qualifications may become a cooperating agency by agreement with the lead 

agency.

Council on Environmental Quality. An advisory council to the president, established by NEPA. It 

reviews federal programs to analyze and interpret environmental trends and information.

Crucial wildlife habitat. The environment that is essential to plant or animal biodiversity and 

conservation at the landscape level. Crucial habitats include biological core areas, severe winter range, 

winter concentration areas, reproduction areas, and movement corridors.

Cultural resources. Locations of human activity, occupation, or use. Cultural resources are

archaeological, historical, or architectural sites, structures, or places with important public and scientific 

uses and locations of traditional cultural or religious importance to specified social or cultural groups.

Cumulative effects. The direct and indirect effects of a proposed project alternative’s incremental 

impacts when they are added to other past, present, and reasonably foreseeable actions, regardless of 

who carries out the action.

Decision area. Lands and federal mineral estate within the planning area that the BLM administers.

Deferred/deferred use. To set aside or postpone a particular resource use or activity on the public 

lands to a later time. Generally, when this term is used, the period of the deferral is specified. 

Deferments sometimes follow the sequence time frame of associated serial actions; for example, action 

B will be deferred until action A is completed.

Degraded vegetation. Areas where the plant community is not complete or is under threat. 

Examples are missing components, such as perennial forbs or cool season grasses, weed infestations, or 

key species, such as sagebrush or cottonwoods trees, not regenerating. 
5. Glossary

September 2015 North Dakota Greater Sage-Grouse Approved RMP Amendment 5-5

Designated roads and trails. Specific roads and trails identified by the BLM where some type of 

motorized/nonmotorized use is appropriate and allowed, either seasonally or year-long (H-1601-1, BLM 

Land Use Planning Handbook).

Desired future condition. For rangeland vegetation, the condition of rangeland resources on a 

landscape scale that meet management objectives. It is based on ecological, social, and economic 

considerations during the land planning process. It is usually expressed as ecological status or 

management status of vegetation (species composition, habitat diversity, and age and size class of 

species) and desired soil qualities (soil cover, erosion, and compaction). In a general context, desired 

future condition is a portrayal of the land or resource conditions that are expected to result if goals and 

objectives are fully achieved.

Desired outcomes. A type of land use plan decision expressed as a goal or objective. 

Direct impacts. These are caused by an action or implementation of an alternative and occur at the 

same time and place. 

Disposal lands. This is a transfer of public lands out of federal ownership to another party through 

sale, exchange, Recreation and Public Purposes Act of 1926, Desert Land Entry, or other land statutes.

Disruptive activities. Those public land resource uses and activities that are likely to alter the 

behavior, to displace, or to excessively stress animal or human populations at a specific location or time. 

In this context, disruptive activities refers to those actions that alter behavior or displace individuals 

such that reproductive success is negatively affected or an individual’s physiological ability to cope with 

environmental stress is compromised. This term does not apply to the physical disturbance of the land 

surface, vegetation, or features. When administered as a land use restriction (e.g., no disruptive 

activities), this term may prohibit or limit the physical presence of sound above ambient levels, light 

beyond background levels, or the nearness of people and their activities. The term is commonly used in 

conjunction with protecting wildlife during crucial life stages, such as breeding, nesting, and birthing, 

although it could apply to any resource value on public lands. The use of this land use restriction is not 

intended to prohibit all activity or authorized uses.

Diversity. The relative abundance of wildlife species, plant species, communities, habitats, or habitat 

features per unit of area.

Easement. A right afforded a person or agency to make limited use of another’s real property for 

access or other purposes.

Ecological site. A distinctive kind of land with specific physical characteristics that differs from other 

kinds of land in its ability to produce a distinctive kind and amount of vegetation.

Emergency stabilization. Planned actions to stabilize and prevent unacceptable degradation to 

natural and cultural resources, to minimize threats to life and property resulting from the effects of a 

fire, or to repair/replace/construct physical improvements necessary to prevent degradation of land or 

resources. Emergency stabilization actions must be taken within one year following containment of a 

wildland fire.
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5-6 North Dakota Greater Sage-Grouse Approved RMP Amendment September 2015

Endangered species. Any species that is in danger of extinction throughout all or a significant portion 

of its range. Under the Endangered Species Act in the United States, endangered status is more

protective than threatened status. Designation as endangered (or threatened) is determined by the

USFWS, as directed by the Endangered Species Act (16 USC. Sections 1531-1544).

Endangered Species Act of 1973 (as amended). Designed to protect critically imperiled species 

from extinction as a consequence of economic growth and development untempered by adequate 

concern and conservation. The ESA is administered by two federal agencies, the USFWS and the 

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Its purpose is to protect species and also the 

ecosystems they depend on (16 USC, Sections 1531-1544).

Enhance. The improvement of habitat by increasing missing or modifying unsatisfactory components or 

attributes of the plant community to meet GRSG objectives.

Environmental assessment. A concise public document prepared to provide sufficient evidence and 

analysis for determining whether to prepare an environmental impact statement or a finding of no 

significant impact. It includes a brief discussion of the need for the proposal, the alternatives considered, 

the environmental impact of the proposed action and alternatives, and a list of agencies and individuals 

consulted.

Environmental impact statement. A detailed statement prepared by the responsible official in 

which a major federal action that significantly affects the quality of the human environment is described, 

alternatives to the proposed action are provided, and effects are analyzed.

Evaluation (plan evaluation). The process of reviewing the land use plan and the periodic plan 

monitoring reports to determine whether the land use plan decisions and NEPA analysis are still valid 

and whether the plan is being implemented. 

Exchange. A transaction whereby the federal government receives land or interests in land in exchange 

for other land or interests in land.

Exclusion area. An area on the public lands where a certain activity is prohibited to ensure protection 

of other resource values on the site. The term is frequently used in reference to lands/realty actions and 

proposals, such as rights-of-way, but it is not unique to lands and realty program activities. This 

restriction is functionally analogous to the phrase “no surface occupancy” used by the oil and gas 

program and is applied as an absolute condition to those affected activities. The less restrictive 

analogous term is avoidance area. Also see the right-of-way exclusion area definition.

Existing routes. These are defined as those routes on the ground that clearly show prior use to the 

extent that a clear path is visible with no vegetation on it, or in some cases there is little vegetation in 

the center of the travel path. A single set of vehicle tracks does not make an existing route.

Exploration. Active drilling and geophysical operations to determine the presence of the mineral 

resource or to determine the extent of the reservoir or mineral deposit.
5. Glossary

September 2015 North Dakota Greater Sage-Grouse Approved RMP Amendment 5-7

Facility, energy or mining. Human-constructed assets designed and created to serve a particular 

function and to afford a particular convenience or service that is affixed to a specific locations, such as 

oil and gas well pads and associated infrastructure.

Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976. Public Law 94-579, October 21, 1976, often 

referred to as the BLM’s “organic act,” which provides most of the BLM’s legislated authority, direction 

policy, and basic management guidance.

Federal mineral estate. Subsurface mineral estate owned by the United States and administered by 

the BLM. Federal mineral estate under BLM jurisdiction is composed of mineral estate underlying BLMadministered lands, privately owned lands, and state-owned lands.

Fire Regime Condition Classification System (FRCCS). This measures the extent to which 

vegetation departs from reference conditions or how the current vegetation differs from a particular 

reference condition.

Fire suppression. All work and activities connected with control and fire-extinguishing operations, 

beginning with discovery and continuing until the fire is completely extinguished.

Fluid minerals. These are Oil, gas, coal bed natural gas, and geothermal resources.

Forage. All browse and herbaceous foods that are available to grazing animals.

General sage‐grouse habitat. This is seasonally or year‐round occupied habitat outside of priority 

habitat. The BLM has identified these areas in coordination with respective state wildlife agencies.

Geographic information system (GIS). A system of computer hardware, software, data, people, 

and applications that capture, store, edit, analyze, and display a potentially wide array of geospatial 

information. 

Geophysical exploration. The activities undertaken to locate deposits of oil and gas resources and to 

better define the subsurface.

Geothermal energy. Natural heat from within the Earth captured for production of electric power, 

space heating, or industrial steam.

Goal. A broad statement of a desired outcome; usually it is not quantifiable and may not have 

established time frames for achievement.

Grazing preference. Grazing preference means a superior or priority position against others for the 

purpose of receiving a grazing permit or lease. This priority is attached to base property owned or 

controlled by the permittee or lessee (43 CFR, Part 4100.0-5).

Grazing relinquishment. The voluntary and permanent surrender by an existing permittee or lessee, 

(with concurrence of any base property lienholder), of their priority (preference) to use a livestock 

forage allocation on public land as well as their permission to use this forage. Relinquishments do not 

require the BLM’s consent or approval. The BLM’s receipt of a relinquishment is not a decision to close 

areas to livestock grazing.
5. Glossary

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Grazing system. Scheduled grazing use and non-use of an allotment to reach identified goals or 

objectives by improving the quality and quantity of vegetation. It includes developing pastures, utilization 

levels, grazing rotations, timing and duration of use periods, and necessary range improvements.

Guidelines. Actions or management practices that may be used to achieve desired outcomes, 

sometimes expressed as BMPs. Guidelines may be identified during the land use planning process, but 

they are not considered a land use plan decision unless the plan specifies that they are mandatory. 

Guidelines for grazing administration must conform to 43 CFR, Part 4180.2.

Habitat. An environment that meets a specific set of physical, biological, temporal, or spatial 

characteristics that satisfy the requirements of a plant or animal species or group of species for part or 

all of their life cycle.

Impact. The effect, influence, alteration, or imprint caused by an action.

Implementation decisions. Decisions that take action to implement land use planning; generally they 

are appealable to the Interior Board of Land Appeals under 43 CFR, Part 4.410. 

Implementation plan. An area or site-specific plan written to implement decisions made in a land use 

plan. It includes both activity plans and project plans. 

Indicators. Factors that describe resource conditions and changes; they can help the BLM determine 

trends over time.

Indirect impacts. These result from implementing an action or alternative but usually occur later in 

time or are removed in distance and are reasonably certain to occur. 

Integrated ranch planning. A method for ranch planning that looks at all elements of the ranching 

operations, including strategic and tactical planning, rather than approaching planning as several separate 

enterprises.

Land tenure adjustments. Landownership or jurisdictional changes. To improve the manageability of 

BLM-administered lands and their usefulness to the public, the BLM has numerous authorities for 

repositioning lands into a more consolidated pattern, disposing of lands, and entering into cooperative 

management agreements. These land pattern improvements are completed primarily through the use of 

land exchanges but also through land sales, jurisdictional transfers to other agencies, and the use of 

cooperative management agreements and leases.

Land treatment. All methods of artificial range improvement arid soil stabilization, such as reseeding, 

brush control (chemical and mechanical), pitting, furrowing, and water spreading.

Land use allocation. The identification in a land use plan of the activities and foreseeable development 

that are allowed, restricted, or excluded for all or part of the planning area, based on desired future 

conditions (H-1601-1, BLM Land Use Planning Handbook).

Land use plan. A set of decisions that establish management direction for land within an administrative 

area, as prescribed under the planning provisions of FLPMA; an assimilation of land use plan level 

decisions developed through the planning process outlined in 43 CFR, Part 1600, regardless of the scale 
5. Glossary

September 2015 North Dakota Greater Sage-Grouse Approved RMP Amendment 5-9

at which the decisions were developed. The term includes both RMPs and management framework plans 

(from H-1601-1, BLM Land Use Planning Handbook).

Land use plan decision. Establishes desired outcomes and actions needed to achieve them. Decisions 

are reached using the planning process in 43 CFR, Part 1600. When they are presented to the public as 

proposed decisions, they can be protested to the BLM Director; however, they are not appealable to 

Interior Board of Land Appeals. 

Late brood-rearing area. This habitat includes mesic sagebrush and mixed shrub communities, wet 

meadows, and riparian habitats, as well as some agricultural lands, such as alfalfa fields.

Leasable minerals. Those minerals or materials designated as leasable under the Mineral Leasing Act 

of 1920. These include energy-related mineral resources such as oil, natural gas, coal, and geothermal, 

and some nonenergy minerals, such as phosphate, sodium, potassium, and sulfur. Geothermal resources 

are also leasable under the Geothermal Steam Act of 1970.

Lease. Section 302 of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 provides the BLM’s 

authority to issue leases for the use, occupancy, and development of public lands. Leases are issued for 

purposes such as a commercial filming, advertising displays, commercial or noncommercial croplands, 

apiaries, livestock holding or feeding areas not related to grazing permits and leases, native or 

introduced species harvesting, temporary or permanent facilities for commercial purposes (does not 

include mining claims), residential occupancy, ski resorts, construction equipment storage sites, assembly 

yards, oil rig stacking sites, mining claim occupancy if the residential structures are not incidental to the 

mining operation, and water pipelines and well pumps related to irrigation and non-irrigation facilities. 

The regulations establishing procedures for processing these leases and permits are found in 43 CFR, 

Part 2920.

Lease stipulation. A modification of the terms and conditions on a standard lease form at the time of 

the lease sale.

Lek. A traditional courtship display area attended by male sage‐grouse in or next to sagebrushdominated habitat. A lek is designated based on observations of two or more male sage‐grouse engaged 

in courtship displays. Sub‐dominant males may display on itinerant strutting areas during population 

peaks. Such areas usually fail to become established leks. Therefore, a site where fewer than five males 

are observed strutting should be confirmed active for two years before meeting the definition of a lek 

(Connelly et al. 2000; Connelly et al. 2003, 2004). Each state may have a slightly different definition of 

lek, active lek, inactive lek, occupied lek, and unoccupied leks. Regional planning will use the appropriate 

definition provided by the state of interest.

Lek complex. A lek or group of leks within 1.5 miles of each other and between which male 

GRSG may interchange from one day to the next. Fidelity to leks has been well documented. 

Visits to multiple leks are most common among yearlings and less frequent for adult males, 

suggesting an age‐related period of establishment (Connelly et al. 2004).

Active lek. Any lek that has been attended by male GRSG during the strutting season.
5. Glossary

5-10 North Dakota Greater Sage-Grouse Approved RMP Amendment September 2015

Inactive lek. Any lek where sufficient data suggests that there was no strutting activity 

throughout a strutting season. (Absence of strutting grouse during a single visit is insufficient 

documentation to establish that a lek is inactive.) This designation requires documentation of an 

absence of GRSG on the lek during at least two ground surveys separated by at least seven days. 

These surveys must be conducted under ideal conditions (April 1 to May 7 or other appropriate 

date, based on local conditions); there must be no precipitation and light or no wind, and they 

must be conducted a half‐hour before sunrise to one hour after sunrise. Alternatively,

designation of an inactive lek requires a ground check of the exact known lek site late in the 

strutting season (after April 15) that fails to find any sign (tracks, droppings, or feathers) of 

strutting activity. Data collected by aerial surveys should not be used to designate inactive status 

because the aerial survey may actually disrupt activities.

Occupied lek. A lek that has been active during at least one strutting season within the prior 

10 years.

Unoccupied lek. A lek that has either been destroyed or abandoned.

Destroyed lek. A formerly active lek site and surrounding sagebrush habitat that has been 

destroyed and is no longer suitable for GRSG breeding.

Abandoned lek. A lek in otherwise suitable habitat that has not been active during 10 consecutive 

years. To be designated abandoned, a lek must be inactive (see above) in at least four nonconsecutive 

strutting seasons spanning the 10 years. A suspected abandoned lek should be surveyed at least once 

every 10 years to determine whether it has been reoccupied.

Locatable minerals. Minerals subject to exploration, development, and disposal by staking mining 

claims, as authorized by the Mining Act of 1872, as amended. This includes deposits of gold, silver, and 

other uncommon minerals not subject to lease or sale.

Long-term effect. This could occur for an extended period after implementation of the alternative. 

The effect could last several years or more. 

Management decision. A decision made by the BLM to manage public lands. Management decisions 

include both land use plan decisions and implementation decisions.

Mechanized transport. Any vehicle, device, or contrivance for moving people or material in or over 

land, water, snow, or air that has moving parts.

Mineral. Any naturally formed inorganic material, solid, or fluid inorganic substance that can be 

extracted from the earth; any of various naturally occurring homogeneous substances (as stone, coal, 

salt, sulfur, sand, petroleum, water, or natural gas) obtained usually from the ground. Under federal laws, 

considered as locatable (subject to the general mining laws), leasable (subject to the Mineral Leasing Act 

of 1920), and salable (subject to the Materials Act of 1947).

Mineral entry. The filing of a claim on public land to obtain the right to any locatable minerals it may 

contain.
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September 2015 North Dakota Greater Sage-Grouse Approved RMP Amendment 5-11

Mineral estate. The ownership of minerals, including rights necessary for access, exploration, 

development, mining, ore dressing, and transportation operations.

Mineral materials. Common varieties of mineral materials, such as soil, sand and gravel, stone, 

pumice, pumicite, and clay, that are not obtainable under the mining or leasing laws but that can be 

acquired under the Materials Act of 1947, as amended.

Mining claim. A parcel of land that a miner takes and holds for mining purposes, having acquired the 

right of possession by complying with the Mining Law and local laws and rules. A mining claim may 

contain as many adjoining locations as the locator may make or buy. There are four categories of mining 

claims: lode, placer, mill site, and tunnel site.

Mining Law of 1872. Provides for claiming and gaining title to locatable minerals on public lands. Also 

referred to as the General Mining Laws or Mining Laws.

Mitigation. Includes specific means, measures, or practices that could reduce, avoid, or eliminate 

adverse impacts. Mitigation can include avoiding the impact altogether by not taking a certain action or 

parts of an action, minimizing the impact by limiting the degree of magnitude of the action and its 

implementation, rectifying the impact by repairing, rehabilitation, or restoring the affected environment, 

reducing or eliminating the impact over time by preservation and maintenance operations during the life 

of the action, and compensating for the impact by replacing or providing substitute resources or 

environments.

Modification. A fundamental change to the provisions of a lease stipulation, either temporarily or for 

the term of the lease. A modification may include an exemption from or alteration of a stipulated 

requirement. Depending on the specific modification, the stipulation may or may not apply to all other 

sites within the leasehold to which the restrictive criteria applied.

Monitoring (plan monitoring). The process of tracking the implementation of land use plan 

decisions and collecting and assessing data necessary to evaluate the effectiveness of land use planning 

decisions. 

Motorized vehicles or uses. Vehicles that are motorized, including jeeps, all-terrain vehicles (such as 

four-wheelers and three-wheelers), trail motorcycles or dirt bikes, and aircraft.

Multiple-use. The management of the public lands and their various resource values so that they are 

used in the combination that will best meet the present and future needs of the American people; 

making the most judicious use of the land for some or all of these resources or related services over 

areas large enough to provide sufficient latitude for periodic adjustments in use to changing needs and 

conditions; the use of some land for less than all of the resources; a combination of balanced and diverse 

resource uses that takes into account the long-term needs of future generations for renewable and 

nonrenewable resources, including recreation, range, timber, minerals, watershed, wildlife and fish, and 

natural scenic, scientific and historical values; and harmonious and coordinated management of the 

various resources without permanent impairment of the productivity of the land and the quality of the 

environment with consideration being given to the relative values of the resources and not necessarily 

to the combination of uses that will give the greatest economic return or the greatest unit output 

(FLPMA; BLM Manual 6840, Special Status Species Manual).
5. Glossary

5-12 North Dakota Greater Sage-Grouse Approved RMP Amendment September 2015

National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA). Public Law 91-190. Establishes 

environmental policy for the nation. Among other things, NEPA requires federal agencies to consider 

environmental values in decision-making.

Native vegetation. Plant species that were found here before Euro-American contact and 

consequently are in balance with these ecosystems because they have well developed parasites, 

predators, and pollinators.

Natural processes. Fire, drought, insect and disease outbreaks, flooding, and other events that existed 

prior to Euro-American contact and shaped vegetation composition and structure.

Net conservation gain. The intent of the North Dakota Greater Sage-Grouse Proposed Plan 

Amendment is to provide a net conservation gain to GRSG. The BLM would require and ensure 

mitigation that provides a net conservation gain to the species, including accounting for any uncertainty 

associated with the effectiveness of such mitigation. This would be required when the BLM undertakes

management actions and, consistent with valid existing rights and applicable law, when it authorizes

third-party actions that result in habitat loss and degradation within priority habitat (core population 

areas and core population connectivity corridors). Net conservation gain is achieved by avoiding, 

minimizing, and compensating for impacts by applying beneficial mitigation actions.

Nonenergy leasable minerals. Those minerals or materials designated as leasable under the Mineral 

Leasing Act of 1920. Nonenergy minerals include resources such as phosphate, sodium, potassium, and 

sulfur.

No surface occupancy (NSO). A major constraint where use or occupancy of the land surface for 

fluid mineral exploration or development and all activities associated with fluid mineral leasing, such as

truck-mounted drilling and geophysical exploration equipment off designated routes and construction of 

wells or pads, are prohibited to protect identified resource values. Areas identified as NSO are open to 

fluid mineral leasing, but surface occupancy or surface-disturbing activities associated with fluid mineral 

leasing cannot be conducted on the surface of the land. Access to fluid mineral deposits would require 

horizontal drilling from outside the boundaries of the NSO area.

Noxious weeds. A plant species designated by federal or state law as generally possessing one or more 

of the following characteristics: aggressive and difficult to manage; parasitic; a carrier or host of serious 

insects or disease; or nonnative, new, or not common to the United States.

Objective (BLM). A description of a desired outcome for a resource. Objectives can be quantified and 

measured and, where possible, have established time frames for achievement.

Off-highway vehicle (OHV; off-road vehicle). Any motorized vehicle capable of or designated for 

travel on or immediately over land, water, or other natural terrain. The term excludes any nonamphibious registered motorboat; any military, fire, emergency, or law enforcement vehicle while being 

used for emergency purposes; any vehicle whose use is expressly authorized by the BLM Authorized 

Officer or otherwise officially approved; vehicles in official use; and any combat or combat support 

vehicle when used for national defense emergencies (43 CFR, Part 8340.0-5).
5. Glossary

September 2015 North Dakota Greater Sage-Grouse Approved RMP Amendment 5-13

Open. Generally denotes an area that is available for a particular use or uses. Refers to specific 

program definitions found in law, regulations, or policy guidance for application to individual programs. 

For example, 43 CFR, Part 8340.0-5, defines the specific meaning of open as it relates to OHV use.

Permitted use. The forage allocated by or under the guidance of an applicable land use plan for 

livestock grazing in an allotment under a permit or lease and expressed in AUMs (43 CFR, Part 4100.0-

5; from H-4180-1, BLM Rangeland Health Standards Manual).

Permittee. A person or company permitted to graze livestock on public land.

Plan of operations. This is required for all mining activity exploration greater than five acres or 

surface disturbance greater than casual use on certain special category lands. Special category lands are 

described under 43 CFR, Part 3809.11(c), and include such lands as designated Areas of Critical 

Environmental Concern, lands within the National Wilderness Preservation System, and areas closed to 

off‐road vehicles, among others. In addition, a plan of operations is required for activity greater than 

casual use on lands patented under the Stock Raising Homestead Act with federal minerals where the 

operator does not have the written consent of the surface owner (43 CFR, Part 3814). The plan of 

operations needs to be filed in the BLM field office with jurisdiction over the land involved. It does not 

need to be on a particular form but must address the information required by 43 CFR, Part 3809.401(b).

Planning area. This is the geographical area for which GRSG management plan amendments are 

developed and maintained. The North Dakota Greater Sage-Grouse RMPA/EIS planning area boundary 

defines the area assessed in this ARMPA. The planning area encompasses 963,017 acres in Bowman, 

Slope, and Golden Valley Counties in southwestern North Dakota. The BLM administers 33,030 acres 

(about 3.4 percent) of the planning area and 396,053 acres of federal mineral estate.

Planning criteria. The standards, rules, and other factors developed by managers and interdisciplinary 

teams for their use in forming judgments about decision-making, analysis, and data collection during 

planning. Planning criteria streamlines and simplifies the resource management planning actions.

Planning issues. Concerns, conflicts, and problems with the existing management of public lands. 

Frequently, issues are based on how land uses affect resources. Some issues are concerned with how 

land uses can affect other land uses or how the protection of resources affects land uses. 

Policy. This is a statement of guiding principles, or procedures, designed and intended to influence 

planning decisions, operating actions, or other affairs of the BLM. Policies are established interpretations 

of legislation, executive orders, regulations, or other presidential, secretarial, or management directives.

Prescribed fire. A wildland fire originating from a planned ignition to meet specific objectives identified 

in a written, approved, prescribed fire plan for which the National Environmental Policy Act 

requirements (where applicable) have been met prior to ignition.

Primitive road. A linear route managed for four-wheel drive or high-clearance vehicles. Primitive 

roads do not normally meet any BLM road design standards.

Priority sage‐grouse habitat. This pertains to areas that have been identified as having the highest 

conservation value to maintaining sustainable GRSG populations. These areas would include breeding, 
5. Glossary

5-14 North Dakota Greater Sage-Grouse Approved RMP Amendment September 2015

late brood‐rearing, and winter concentration areas, and the BLM has identified them in coordination 

with respective state wildlife agencies.

Proper functioning condition. This term describes stream health that is based on the presence of 

adequate vegetation, landform, and debris to dissipate energy, reduce erosion, and improve water 

quality.

Public land. Land or interest in land owned by the United States and administered by the Secretary of 

the Interior through the BLM without regard to how the United States acquired ownership, except 

lands on the Outer Continental Shelf and land held for the benefit of Indians, Aleuts, and Eskimos (H1601-1, BLM Land Use Planning Handbook).

Range improvement. Any activity, structure, or program on or relating to rangelands that is designed 

to improve production of forage, change vegetative composition, control patterns of use, provide water,

stabilize soil and water conditions, and provide habitat for livestock and wildlife. The term includes 

structures, treatment projects, and use of mechanical means to accomplish the desired results.

Range improvement project. An authorized physical modification or treatment that is designed to 

improve production of forage, change vegetation composition, control patterns of use, provide water,

stabilize soil and water conditions, restore, protect, and improve the condition of rangeland ecosystems 

to benefit livestock, wild horses, and burros and fish and wildlife. This definition includes structures, 

treatment projects and use of mechanical devices, or modifications achieved through mechanical means.

Reasonably foreseeable development scenario (RFD). The prediction of the type and amount of 

oil and gas activity that would occur in a given area. The prediction is based on geologic factors, past 

history of drilling, projected demand for oil and gas, and industry interest.

Reclamation. The suite of actions taken within an area affected by human disturbance, the outcome of 

which is intended to change the condition of the disturbed area to meet predetermined objectives or to 

make it acceptable for certain defined resources, such as wildlife habitat, grazing, or ecosystem function.

Reference state. The condition where the functional capacities represented by soil/site stability, 

hydrologic function, and biotic integrity are performing at an optimum level under the natural 

disturbance regime. It usually includes what is often referred to as the potential natural plant community.

Rehabilitate. Returning disturbed land as near to its predisturbed condition as is reasonably practical 

or as specified in approved permits.

Renewable energy. Energy resources that constantly renew themselves or that are regarded as 

practically inexhaustible. These include solar, wind, geothermal, hydro, and biomass. Although particular 

geothermal formations can be depleted, the natural heat in the Earth is a virtually inexhaustible reserve 

of potential energy.

Required design features (RDF). RDFs are required for certain activities in all GRSG habitat. They

establish the minimum specifications for certain activities to help mitigate adverse impacts. However, the 

applicability and overall effectiveness of each RDF cannot be fully assessed until the project location and 

design are known. Because of site-specific circumstances, some RDFs may not apply to some projects,
5. Glossary

September 2015 North Dakota Greater Sage-Grouse Approved RMP Amendment 5-15

for example when a resource is not present on a given site, or may require slight variations, such as 

when it involves a larger or smaller protective area. All variations in RDFs would require that at least 

one of the following be demonstrated in the NEPA analysis associated with the project or activity:

 A specific RDF is documented to not be applicable to the site-specific conditions of the 

project or activity; for example, when it is due to site limitations or engineering 

considerations. Economic considerations, such as increased costs, do not necessarily require 

that an RDF be varied or rendered inapplicable.

 An alternative RDF, a state-implemented conservation measure, or a plan-level protection is 

determined to provide equal or better protection for GRSG or its habitat.

 A specific RDF would provide no additional protection to GRSG or its habitat. 

Reserve common allotment. An area that is designated in the land use plan as available for livestock 

grazing but reserved as an alternative to grazing in another allotment in order to facilitate rangeland 

restoration treatments and recovery from natural disturbances, such as drought or wildfire. The reserve 

common allotment would provide needed flexibility that would help an agency apply temporary rest 

from grazing where vegetation treatments or management would be most effective.

Resource management plan (RMP). A land use plan as prescribed by the Federal Land Policy and 

Management Act that establishes, for a given area of land, land-use allocations, coordination guidelines 

for multiple-use, objectives, and actions to be achieved.

Restore/restoration. Implementation of a set of actions that promotes plant community diversity and 

structure and that allows plant communities to be more resilient to disturbance and invasive species 

over the long term. The long‐term goal is to create functional, high quality habitat that is occupied by 

GRSG. The short‐term goals may be to restore the landform, soils, and hydrology and to increase the 

percentage of preferred vegetation, seeding of desired species, or treatment of undesired species.

Restriction/restricted use. A limitation or constraint on public land uses and operations. Restrictions 

can be of any kind, but most commonly apply to certain types of vehicle use, temporal or spatial 

constraints, or certain authorizations.

Revegetate/revegetation. The process of putting vegetation back in an area where it previously 

existed, which may or may not simulate natural conditions.

Revision. The process of completely rewriting the land use plan due to changes in the planning area 

affecting major portions of the plan or the entire plan.

Right-of-way (ROW). Public lands authorized to be used or occupied for specific purposes, in 

accordance with a ROW authorization, which are in the public interest and which require ROWs over, 

on, under, or through such lands. 

ROW avoidance area. An area identified through resource management planning to be avoided; it

may be available for ROW location with special stipulations.
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5-16 North Dakota Greater Sage-Grouse Approved RMP Amendment September 2015

ROW exclusion area. An area identified through resource management planning that is not available 

for ROW location under any conditions.

Riparian area. A form of wetland transition between permanently saturated wetlands and upland 

areas. Riparian areas exhibit vegetation or physical characteristics that reflect the influence of permanent 

surface or subsurface water. Typical riparian areas are lands along perennially and intermittently flowing 

rivers and streams, glacial potholes, and the shores of lakes and reservoirs with stable water levels. 

Excluded are ephemeral streams or washes that lack vegetation and depend on free water in the soil.

Road. A linear route declared a road by the owner, managed for use by low-clearance vehicles having 

four or more wheels, and maintained for regular and continuous use.

Rotation. Grazing rotation between pastures in the allotment for the permitted time.

Routes. Multiple roads, trails, and primitive roads; a group or set of roads, trails, and primitive roads 

that represents less than 100 percent of the BLM transportation system. Generically, components of the 

transportation system are described as routes.

Sale (public land). A method of land disposal, in accordance with Section 203 of the Federal Land 

Policy and Management Act, whereby the United States receives a fair-market payment for the transfer 

of land from federal ownership. Public lands determined suitable for sale are offered on the initiative of 

the BLM and must be identified in the resource management plan. Any lands to be disposed of by sale 

that are not identified in the current resource management plan, or that meet the disposal criteria 

identified in the resource management plan, require a plan amendment before a sale can occur.

Scoping process. An early and open public participation process for determining the scope of issues 

to be addressed and for identifying the significant issues related to a proposed action.

Season of use. The time during which livestock grazing is permitted on a given range area, as specified 

in the grazing lease.

Seeding. A vegetation treatment that includes the application of grass, forb, or shrub seed, either 

aerially or from the ground. In areas of gentle terrain, ground applications of seed are often 

accomplished with a rangeland drill. Seeding allows the establishment of native species or placeholder 

species and restoration of disturbed areas to a perennial-dominated cover type, thereby decreasing the 

risk of subsequent invasion by exotic plant species. Seeding would be used primarily as a follow-up 

treatment in areas where disturbance or the previously described treatments have removed exotic plant 

species and their residue.

Short-term effect. The effect occurs only during or immediately after implementation of an

alternative.

Special Recreation Permit (SRP). This is an authorization that allows for recreational uses of public 

lands and related waters. The BLM issues it as a means to control visitor use, to protect recreational 

and natural resources, and to provide for the health and safety of visitors. Commercial SRPs are also 

issued as a mechanism to provide a fair return for the commercial use of public lands.
5. Glossary

September 2015 North Dakota Greater Sage-Grouse Approved RMP Amendment 5-17

Special status species. BLM special status species are those listed, candidate, or proposed for listing 

under the Endangered Species Act and those requiring special management consideration to promote 

their conservation and reduce the likelihood and need for future listing under the Endangered Species 

Act that are designated as sensitive by a BLM State Director. All federally listed candidate species, 

proposed species, and delisted species in the five years following delisting are conserved as BLM 

sensitive species. Forest Service special status species are federally listed threatened and endangered 

species, designated by the USFWS under the ESA, sensitive species, designated by the Regional Forester 

with each Forest Service region, and management indicator species, designated for each forest unit 

within the individual forest and grassland plans during the planning process.

Split-estate. This is the circumstance where the surface of a particular parcel of land is owned by a 

different party than the minerals underlying the surface. Split-estates may have any combination of 

surface/subsurface owners: federal/state, federal/private, state/private, or percentage ownerships. When 

referring to the split-estate ownership on a particular parcel of land, it is generally necessary to describe 

the surface/subsurface ownership pattern of the parcel.

Stabilize. The process of stopping further damage from occurring.

Standard. A description of the physical and biological conditions or degree of function required for 

healthy, sustainable lands (e.g., land health standards). Standards are expressed as a desired outcome 

(goal). 

Standard lease terms and conditions. Areas may be open to leasing with no specific management 

decisions defined in a resource management plan; however, these areas are subject to lease terms and 

conditions, as defined on the lease form (Form 3100-11, Offer to Lease and Lease for Oil and Gas; and 

Form 3200-24, Offer to Lease and Lease for Geothermal Resources).

Stipulation (general). A term or condition in an agreement or contract.

Stipulation (oil and gas). A provision that modifies standard oil and gas lease terms and conditions in 

order to protect other resource values or land uses and is attached to and made a part of the lease. 

Typical lease stipulations include no surface occupancy (NSO), timing limitations (TL), and controlled 

surface use (CSU). Lease stipulations are developed through the land use planning (RMP) process.

Surface disturbance. Suitable habitat is considered disturbed when it is removed and unavailable for 

immediate Greater Sage‐Grouse use.

 Long‐term removal occurs when habitat is physically removed through activities that replace 

suitable habitat with long-term occupancy of unsuitable habitat such as a road, power line, 

well pad, or active mine. Long‐term removal may also result from any activities that cause 

soil mixing, soil removal, or soil exposure to erosive processes.

 Short-term removal occurs when vegetation is removed in small areas but is restored to 

suitable habitat within less than five years of disturbance, such as a successfully reclaimed 

pipeline, drill hole, or pit.

 Suitable habitat is rendered unusable due to numerous anthropogenic disturbances.
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5-18 North Dakota Greater Sage-Grouse Approved RMP Amendment September 2015

 Anthropogenic surface disturbances are those meeting the above definitions and that result 

from human activities.

Surface-disturbing activities. An action that alters the vegetation, surface/near-surface soil 

resources, or surface geologic features, beyond natural site conditions and on a scale that affects other 

public land values. Examples of surface-disturbing activities are operation of heavy equipment to 

construct well pads, roads, pits, and reservoirs; installation of pipelines and power lines; and 

implementing several types of vegetation treatments, such as prescribed fire. Surface-disturbing activities 

may be either authorized or prohibited.

Surface uses. These are all the various activities that may be present on the surface or near-surface,

such as pipelines, of the public lands. It does not refer to those subterranean activities, such as

underground mining, occurring on the public lands or federal mineral estate. When administered as a 

use restriction, such as no surface use, this phrase prohibits all but specified resource uses and activities 

in a certain area to protect particular sensitive resource values and property. This designation typically 

applies to small acreage sensitive resource sites, such as plant community study exclosure, or 

administrative sites, such as government ware-yard, where only authorized agency personnel are 

admitted.

Sustained yield. The achievement and maintenance in perpetuity of a high-level annual or regular 

periodic output of the various renewable resources of the public lands consistent with multiple uses.

Temporary/temporary use. A relative term that must be considered in the context of the resource 

values affected and the nature of the resource uses/activities taking place. Generally, a temporary activity 

is considered to be one that is not fixed in place and is of short duration.

Threatened species. Any species that is likely to become endangered within the foreseeable future 

throughout all or a significant portion of its range. Under the Endangered Species Act, threatened is the 

lesser protected of the two categories, threatened and endangered. It is determined by the USFWS as 

directed by the Endangered Species Act (16 USC, Sections 1531-1544).

Timber. Standing trees, downed trees, or logs that are capable of being measured in board feet.

Timing limitation (TL). The TL stipulation, a moderate constraint, is applicable to fluid mineral 

leasing, all activities associated with fluid mineral leasing, such as truck-mounted drilling and geophysical 

exploration equipment off designated routes, construction of wells or pads, and other surface-disturbing 

activities (i.e., those not related to fluid mineral leasing). Areas identified for TL are closed to fluid 

mineral exploration and development, surface-disturbing activities, and intensive human activity during 

identified time frames. This stipulation does not apply to operation and basic maintenance activities, 

including associated vehicle travel, unless otherwise specified. Construction, drilling, completions, and 

other operations considered to be intensive are not allowed. Intensive maintenance, such as work overs 

on wells, is not permitted. TLs can overlap spatially with NSO and CSU, as well as with areas that have no 

other restrictions.

Trail. A linear route managed for human power, such as hiking or bicycling, stock (such as equestrian), 

or off-highway vehicle forms of transportation or for historical or heritage values. Trails are not 

generally managed for use by four-wheel drive or high-clearance vehicles.
5. Glossary

September 2015 North Dakota Greater Sage-Grouse Approved RMP Amendment 5-19

Transfer of grazing preference. The BLM’s approval of an application to transfer grazing preference 

from one party to another or from one base property to another, or both. Grazing preference means a 

superior or priority position against others for the purposes of receiving a grazing permit or lease. This 

priority is attached to base property owned or controlled by the permittee or lessee.

Transition. A shift between two states. Transitions are not reversible by simply altering the intensity 

or direction of factors that produced the change. Instead, they require new inputs, such as revegetation 

or shrub removal. Practices such as these that accelerate succession are often expensive to apply.

Transmission. The movement or transfer of electric energy over an interconnected group of lines and 

associated equipment between points of supply and points at which it is transformed for delivery to 

consumers or is delivered to other electric systems. Transmission is considered to end when the energy 

is transformed for distribution to the consumer.

Transportation system. The sum of the BLM’s recognized inventory of linear features (roads, 

primitive roads, and trails) formally recognized, designated, and approved as part of the BLM’s 

transportation system.

Travel and transportation management (TTM). This is proactive interdisciplinary planning; it is

on-the-ground management and administration of travel networks (both motorized and nonmotorized) 

to ensure that public access, natural resources, and regulatory needs are considered. It consists of 

inventory, planning, designation, implementation, education, enforcement, monitoring, easement 

acquisition, mapping and signing, and other measures necessary to provide access to public lands for a 

variety of uses. These include recreational, traditional, casual, agricultural, commercial, educational, and 

landing strip uses.

Trespass. Any unauthorized use of public land.

Understory. That portion of a plant community growing beneath the taller plants on the site.

Valid existing rights. Documented legal rights or interests in the land that allow a person or entity to 

use said land for a specific purpose and that are still in effect. Such rights include fee title ownership, 

mineral rights, rights-of-way, easements, permits, and licenses. Such rights may have been reserved, 

acquired, leased, granted, permitted, or otherwise authorized over time.

Vegetation treatments. Management practices that change the vegetation structure to a different 

stage of development. Vegetation treatment methods include managed fire, prescribed fire, chemical, 

mechanical, and seeding.

Vegetation type. A plant community with immediately distinguishable characteristics based on and 

named after the apparent dominant plant species.

WAFWA management zone. Delineation of GRSG management zones that were determined by 

GRSG populations and subpopulations identified within seven floristic provinces (Connelly et al. 2004). 

Floristic provinces reflect ecological and biological issues and similarities, not political boundaries. 

WAFWA management zones will be used to identify and address cross-state issues, such as regional 

mitigation and adaptive management monitoring response, through WAFWA Management Zone GRSG 
5. Glossary

5-20 North Dakota Greater Sage-Grouse Approved RMP Amendment September 2015

Conservation Teams (Teams). These Teams will convene and respond to issues at the appropriate scale, 

and will utilize existing coordination and management structures to the extent possible.

Watershed. Topographical region or area delineated by water draining to a particular watercourse or 

body of water.

West Nile virus. A virus that is found in temperate and tropical regions of the world and most 

commonly transmitted by mosquitos. West Nile virus can cause flu-like symptoms in humans and can be 

lethal to birds, including GRSG.

Wilderness. A congressionally designated area of undeveloped federal land retaining its primeval 

character and influence, without permanent improvements or human habitation, that is protected and 

managed to preserve its natural conditions and that (1) generally appears to have been affected mainly 

by the forces of nature, with human imprints substantially unnoticeable; (2) has outstanding 

opportunities for solitude or a primitive and unconfined type of recreation; (3) has at least 5,000 acres 

or is large enough to make practical its preservation and use in an unimpaired condition; and (4) may 

also contain ecological, geological, or other features of scientific, educational, scenic, or historic value. 

The definition is contained in Section 2(c) of the Wilderness Act of 1964 (78 Stat. 891).

Wildfire. Unplanned ignitions or prescribed fires that are declared wildfires. Wildfires may be managed 

to meet one or more objectives as specified in the resource management plan, and these objectives can 

change as the fire spreads across the landscape (NWCG #024-2010 Memorandum, April 30, 2010).

Wildland fire. Wildland fire is a general term describing any non-structure fire that occurs in the 

wildland. Wildland fires are categorized into two distinct types, as follows: 

 Wildfires—Unplanned ignitions or prescribed fires that are declared wildfires

 Prescribed fires—Planned ignitions

Wildland fire use. This is a term that is no longer used; these fires are now included in the definition

of wildfire.

Withdrawal. An action that restricts the use of public land and segregates the land from the operation 

of some or all of the public land and mineral laws. Withdrawals are also used to transfer jurisdiction of 

management of public lands to other federal agencies.

Winter concentration areas. Sage‐grouse winter habitats which are occupied annually and provide 

sufficient sagebrush cover and food to support birds throughout the entire winter (especially periods 

with above average snow cover). Many of these areas support several different breeding populations of 

sage‐grouse. Sage‐grouse typically show high fidelity for these areas, and loss or fragmentation can result 

in significant population impacts.
September 2015 North Dakota Greater Sage-Grouse Approved RMP Amendment 6-1

CHAPTER 6

REFERENCES

BLM (US Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management). 1988. North Dakota Resource 

Management Plan and Environmental Impact Statement, Record of Decision. Billings, Montana.

_____. 1990. Handbook H-1624-1—Planning for Fluid Mineral Resources. Washington, DC. May 1990.

_____. 2005. Handbook H-1601-1—Land Use Planning Handbook. Washington, DC. March 2005.

_____. 2008. Handbook H-1790-1—National Environmental Policy Act. Washington, DC. January 2008.

_____. 2012. BLM GIS data.

Chambers, Jeanne C., David A. Pyke, Jeremy D. Maestas, Mike Pellant, Chad S. Boyd, Steven B. 

Campbell, Shawn Espinosa, et al. 2014. Using Resistance and Resilience Concepts to Reduce 

Impacts of Invasive Annual Grasses and Altered Fire Regimes on the Sagebrush Ecosystem and 

Greater Sage-Grouse: A Strategic Multi-Scale Approach. Gen. Tech. Rep. RMRS-GTR-326. Fort 

Collins, Colorado: US Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research 

Station.

Connelly, J. W., S. T. Knick, M. A. Schroeder, and S. J. Stiver. 2004. Conservation Assessment of Greater 

Sage-Grouse and Sagebrush Habitats. Western Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies. 

Unpublished report. Cheyenne, Wyoming.

Manier, D. J., D. J. A. Wood, Z. H. Bowen, R. M. Donovan, M. J. Holloran, L. M. Juliusson, K. S. Mayne, et

al. 2013. Summary of Science, Activities, Programs and Policies that Influence the Rangewide 

Conservation of Greater Sage-Grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus). US Geological Survey 

Open-File Report 2013-1098, Fort Collins, Colorado.

NTT (Sage-Grouse National Technical Team). 2011. A Report on National Greater Sage-Grouse 

Conservation Measures. December 2011.
6. References

6-2 North Dakota Greater Sage-Grouse Approved RMP Amendment September 2015

USFWS (US Fish and Wildlife Service). 2010. “12-Month Findings for Petitions to List the Greater SageGrouse (Centrocercus urophasianus) as Threatened or Endangered: Notice of 12-month Petition 

Findings.” Federal Register 75, p. 13910. March 23, 2010.

_____. 2013. Greater Sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus) Conservation Objectives: Final Report. 

US Fish and Wildlife Service, Denver, Colorado. February 2013.
Appendices

Appendix A

Approved RMP Amendment Maps

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North Dakota Greater Sage-Grouse Approved RMP Amendment Approved RMP Amendment Maps
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Appendix B

Applying Lek Buffer-Distances When 

Approving Actions

September 2015 North Dakota Greater Sage-Grouse Approved RMP Amendment B-1

APPENDIX B

APPLYING LEK BUFFER DISTANCES WHEN 

APPROVING ACTIONS

BUFFER DISTANCES AND EVALUATION OF IMPACTS TO LEKS

Evaluate impacts to leks from actions requiring National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) analysis. In 

addition to any other relevant information determined to be appropriate (e.g. State wildlife agency 

plans), the US Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management (BLM) would assess and address 

impacts from the following activities using the lek buffer-distances as identified in the US Geological 

Survey (USGS) Report Conservation Buffer Distance Estimates for Greater Sage-Grouse – A Review (Open 

File Report 2014-1239). The BLM would apply the lek buffer-distances specified as the lower end of the 

interpreted range in the report unless justifiable departures are determined to be appropriate (see 

below). The lower end of the interpreted range of the lek buffer-distances is as follows:

 linear features (roads) within 3.1 miles of leks

 infrastructure related to energy development within 3.1 miles of leks

 tall structures (e.g., communication or transmission towers, and transmission lines) within 2 

miles of leks

 low structures (e.g., fences and rangeland structures) within 1.2 miles of leks

 surface disturbance (continuing human activities that alter or remove the natural vegetation) 

within 3.1 miles of leks

 noise and related disruptive activities including those that do not result in habitat loss (e.g., 

motorized recreational events) at least 0.25 miles from leks.

Justifiable departures to decrease or increase from these distances, based on local data, best available 

science, landscape features, and other existing protections (e.g., land use allocations, state regulations) 

may be appropriate for determining activity impacts. The USGS report recognized “that because of 

variation in populations, habitats, development patterns, social context, and other factors, for a 

particular disturbance type, there is no single distance that is an appropriate buffer for all populations 

and habitats across the sage-grouse range”. The USGS report also states that “various protection 
B. Applying Lek Buffer-Distances When Approving Actions

B-2 North Dakota Greater Sage-Grouse Approved RMP Amendment September 2015

measures have been developed and implemented... [which have] the ability (alone or in concert with 

others) to protect important habitats, sustain populations, and support multiple-use demands for public 

lands”. All variations in lek buffer-distances would require appropriate analysis and disclosure as part of 

activity authorization.

In determining lek locations, the BLM would use the most recent active or occupied lek data available 

from the state wildlife agency.

FOR ACTIONS IN GENERAL HABITAT MANAGEMENT AREA (GHMA)

The BLM would apply the lek buffer-distances identified above as required conservation measures to 

fully address the impacts to leks as identified in the NEPA analysis.

 Impacts should first be avoided by locating the action outside of the applicable lek bufferdistance(s) identified above

 The BLM may approve actions in GHMA that are within the applicable lek buffer distance 

identified above only if:

– Based on best available science, landscape features, and other existing protections, 

(e.g., land use allocations and state regulations), the BLM determines that a lek 

buffer-distance other than the applicable distance identified above offers the same or 

a greater level of protection to GRSG and its habitat, including conservation of 

seasonal habitat outside of the analyzed buffer area; or

– The BLM determines that impacts to GRSG and its habitat are minimized such that 

the project would cause minor or no new disturbance (ex. co-location with existing 

authorizations); and

– Any residual impacts within the lek buffer-distances are addressed through 

compensatory mitigation measures sufficient to ensure a net conservation gain, as 

outlined in the Mitigation Strategy (Appendix F of the North Dakota Greater SageGrouse Approved Resource Management Plan Amendment).

FOR ACTIONS IN PRIORITY HABITAT MANAGEMENT AREA (PHMA)

The BLM would apply the lek buffer-distances identified above as required conservation measures to 

fully address the impacts to leks as identified in the NEPA analysis. Impacts should be avoided by locating 

the action outside of the applicable lek buffer-distance(s) identified above.

The BLM may approve actions in PHMA that are within the applicable lek buffer distance identified 

above only if:

 The BLM, with input from the state fish and wildlife agency, determines, based on best 

available science, landscape features, and other existing protections, that a buffer distance 

other than the distance identified above offers the same or greater level of protection to 

GRSG and its habitat, including conservation of seasonal habitat outside of the analyzed 

buffer area. 

Range improvements which do not impact GRSG, or, range improvements which provide a conservation 

benefit to GRSG such as fences for protecting important seasonal habitats, meet the lek buffer 

requirement.
B. Applying Lek Buffer-Distances When Approving Actions

September 2015 North Dakota Greater Sage-Grouse Approved RMP Amendment B-3

The BLM would explain its justification for determining the approved buffer distances meet these 

conditions in its project decision.
B. Applying Lek Buffer-Distances When Approving Actions

B-4 North Dakota Greater Sage-Grouse Approved RMP Amendment September 2015

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Appendix C

Required Design Features

September 2015 North Dakota Greater Sage-Grouse Approved RMP Amendment C-1

APPENDIX C

REQUIRED DESIGN FEATURES

INTRODUCTION

Required Design Features (RDFs) are required for certain activities in all Greater Sage-Grouse (GRSG) 

habitat. RDFs establish the minimum specifications for certain activities to help mitigate adverse impacts. 

However, the applicability and overall effectiveness of each RDF cannot be fully assessed until the 

project level when the project location and design are known. Because of site-specific circumstances, 

some RDFs may not apply to some projects (e.g., a resource is not present on a given site) and/or may 

require slight variations (e.g., a larger or smaller protective area). All variations in RDFs would require 

that at least one of the following be demonstrated in the NEPA analysis associated with the 

project/activity:

 A specific RDF is documented to not be applicable to the site-specific conditions of the 

project/activity (e.g., due to site limitations or engineering considerations). Economic 

considerations, such as increased costs, do not necessarily require that an RDF be varied or 

rendered inapplicable;

 An alternative RDF, a state-implemented conservation measure, or a plan-level protection is 

determined to provide equal or better protection for GRSG or its habitat; or

 A specific RDF will provide no additional protection to GRSG or its habitat.

Alternatives Summary: There are no RDFs in the current North Dakota Resource Management Plan 

(RMP). Current management does include the use of BMPs at the project level; however, these are not a 

land use plan-level decision; for example, the fluid minerals program uses Surface Operating Standards 

and Guidelines for Oil and Gas Exploration and Development (The Gold Book) – these standard and 

guidelines are updated as needed and not listed in the 1988 North Dakota RMP.

Required Design Features for how to make a pond that won’t produce mosquitoes that 

transmit West Nile virus (from Doherty [2007])

1. Increase the size of ponds to accommodate a greater volume of water than is discharged. 

This will result in un‐vegetated and muddy shorelines that breeding Cx. tarsalis avoid (De 

Szalay and Resh 2000). This modification may reduce Cx. tarsalis habitat but could create 

larval habitat for Culicoides sonorensis, a vector of blue tongue disease, and should be used 
C. Required Design Features

C-2 North Dakota Greater Sage-Grouse Approved RMP Amendment September 2015

sparingly (Schmidtmann et al. 2000). Steep shorelines should be used in combination with 

this technique whenever possible (Knight et al. 2003). 

2. Build steep shorelines to reduce shallow water (>60 centimeters [cm]) and aquatic 

vegetation around the perimeter of impoundments (Knight et al. 2003). Construction of 

steep shorelines also will create more permanent ponds that are a deterrent to colonizing 

mosquito species like Cx. tarsalis which prefer newly flooded sites with high primary 

productivity (Knight et al. 2003).

3. Maintain the water level below that of rooted vegetation for a muddy shoreline that is 

unfavorable habitat for mosquito larvae. Rooted vegetation includes both aquatic and upland 

vegetative types. Avoid flooding terrestrial vegetation in flat terrain or low lying areas. 

Aquatic habitats with a vegetated inflow and outflow separated by open water produce 5‐10 

fold fewer Culex mosquitoes than completely vegetated wetlands (Walton and Workman 

1998). Wetlands with open water also had significantly fewer stage III and IV instars which 

may be attributed to increased predator abundances in open water habitats (Walton and 

Workman 1998).

4. Construct dams or impoundments that restrict down slope seepage or overflow by digging 

ponds in flat areas rather than damming natural draws for effluent water storage, or lining 

constructed ponds in areas where seepage is anticipated (Knight et al. 2003).

5. Line the channel where discharge water flows into the pond with crushed rock, or use a 

horizontal pipe to discharge inflow directly into existing open water, thus precluding shallow 

surface inflow and accumulation of sediment that promotes aquatic vegetation.

6. Line the overflow spillway with crushed rock, and construct the spillway with steep sides to 

preclude the accumulation of shallow water and vegetation.

7. Fence pond site to restrict access by livestock and other wild ungulates that trample and 

disturb shorelines, enrich sediments with manure and create hoof print pockets of water 

that are attractive to breeding mosquitoes.

Literature Cited

De Szalay, F. A. and V. H. Resh. 2000. “Factors influencing macroinvertebrate colonization of seasonal 

wetlands: responses to emergent plant cover.” Freshwater Biology. 45: 295‐308.

Doherty, M. K. 2007. Mosquito populations in the Powder River Basin, Wyoming: a comparison of 

natural, agricultural and effluent coal bed natural gas aquatic habitats. Master’s Thesis. Montana 

State University, Bozeman.

Knight, R. L., W. E. Walton, G. F. Meara, W. K. Riesen and R. Wass. 2003. “Strategies for effective 

mosquito control in constructed treatment wetlands.” Ecological Engineering. 21: 211‐232.

Schmidtmann, E. T., R. J. Bobian, R. P. Beldin. 2000. “Soil chemistries define aquatic habitats with 

immature populations of the Culicoides variipennis complex (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae).” Journal of 

Medical Entomology. 37: 38‐64.
C. Required Design Features

September 2015 North Dakota Greater Sage-Grouse Approved RMP Amendment C-3

Walton, W. E., and P. D. Workman. 1998. “Effect of marsh design on the abundance of mosquitoes in 

experimental constructed wetlands in Southern California.” Journal of the American mosquito 

control Association 14:95‐107.

REQUIRED DESIGN FEATURES FOR FLUID MINERAL DEVELOPMENT

PHMA

Roads

 Design roads to an appropriate standard no higher than necessary to accommodate their 

intended purpose.

 Locate roads to avoid important areas and habitats.

 Coordinate road construction and use among right-of-way (ROW) holders. 

 Construct road crossing at right angles to ephemeral drainages and stream crossings.

 Establish speed limits on BLM system roads to reduce vehicle/wildlife collisions or design 

roads to be driven at slower speeds.

 Establish trip restrictions or minimization through use of telemetry and remote well control 

(e.g., Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition).

 Do not issue ROWs to counties on newly constructed energy development roads, unless 

for a temporary use consistent with all other terms and conditions included in this 

document.

 Restrict vehicle traffic to only authorized users on newly constructed routes (use signing, 

gates, etc.) 

 Use dust abatement practices on roads and pads.

 Close and rehabilitate duplicate roads.

Operations

 Cluster disturbances, operations (fracture stimulation, liquids gathering, etc.), and facilities.

 Use directional and horizontal drilling to reduce surface disturbance.

 Place infrastructure in already disturbed locations where the habitat has not been restored.

 Consider using oak (or other material) mats for drilling activities to reduce vegetation 

disturbance and for roads between closely spaced wells to reduce soil compaction and 

maintain soil structure to increase likelihood of vegetation reestablishment following drilling.

 Apply a phased development approach with concurrent reclamation.

 Place liquid gathering facilities outside of priority areas. Have no tanks at well locations 

within priority areas (minimizes perching and nesting opportunities for ravens and raptors 

and truck traffic). Pipelines must be under or immediately adjacent to the road (Bui et al. 

2010).

 Restrict the construction of tall facilities and fences to the minimum number and amount 

needed.
C. Required Design Features

C-4 North Dakota Greater Sage-Grouse Approved RMP Amendment September 2015

 Site and/or minimize linear ROWs to reduce disturbance to sagebrush habitats.

 Place new utility developments (power lines, pipelines, etc.) and transportation routes in 

existing utility or transportation corridors.

 Bury distribution power lines.

 Corridor power, flow, and small pipelines under or immediately adjacent to roads.

 Design or site permanent structures which create movement (e.g. a pump jack) to minimize 

impacts to GRSG. 

 Cover (e.g., fine mesh netting or use other effective techniques) all drilling and production 

pits and tanks regardless of size to reduce GRSG mortality.

 Equip tanks and other above ground facilities with structures or devices that discourage 

nesting of raptors and corvids.

 Control the spread and effects of non-native plant species (e.g. by washing vehicles and 

equipment).

 Use only closed-loop systems for drilling operations and no reserve pits.

 Restrict pit and impoundment construction to reduce or eliminate threats from West Nile 

virus (Doherty 2007).

 Remove or re-inject produced water to reduce habitat for mosquitoes that vector West 

Nile virus. If surface disposal of produced water continues, use the following steps for 

reservoir design to limit favorable mosquito habitat:

– Overbuild size of ponds for muddy and non-vegetated shorelines.

– Build steep shorelines to decrease vegetation and increase wave actions.

– Avoid flooding terrestrial vegetation in flat terrain or low lying areas.

– Construct dams or impoundments that restrict down slope seepage or overflow.

– Line the channel where discharge water flows into the pond with crushed rock.

– Construct spillway with steep sides and line it with crushed rock.

– Treat waters with larvicides to reduce mosquito production where water occurs on 

the surface.

 The BLM would work with proponents to limit project-related noise where it would be 

expected to reduce functionality of habitats that support GRSG populations. The BLM 

would evaluate the potential for limitation of new noise sources on a case-by-case basis as 

appropriate.

As additional research and information emerges, specific new limitations appropriate to the 

type of projects being considered would be evaluated, and appropriate limitations would be 

implemented where necessary to minimize potential for noise impacts on GRSG population 

behavioral cycles.

As new research is completed, new specific limitations would be coordinated with the 

North Dakota Game and Fish Department (NDGFD) and partners. Limit noise to less than 
C. Required Design Features

September 2015 North Dakota Greater Sage-Grouse Approved RMP Amendment C-5

10 decibels above ambient (20-24 dBA) at sunrise at the perimeter of a lek during active lek 

season (Petricelli et al. In preparation).

 Require noise shields when drilling during the lek, nesting, broodrearing, or wintering 

season. 

 Fit transmission towers with anti-perch devices (Lammers and Collopy 2007).

 Require GRSG-safe fences.

 Locate new compressor stations outside PHMA and design them to reduce noise that may 

be directed towards PHMA.

 Clean up refuse.

 Locate man camps outside of PHMA.

Reclamation

 Include objectives for ensuring habitat restoration to meet GRSG habitat needs in 

reclamation practices/sites (Pyke 2011). Address post reclamation management in 

reclamation plan such that goals and objectives are to protect and improve GRSG habitat 

needs.

 Maximize the area of interim reclamation on long-term access roads and well pads including 

reshaping, topsoiling and revegetating cut and fill slopes.

 Restore disturbed areas at final reclamation to the pre-disturbance landforms and desired 

plant community.

 Irrigate interim reclamation if necessary for establishing seedlings more quickly.

 Utilize mulching techniques to expedite reclamation and to protect soils. 

GHMA

Make applicable BMPs mandatory as conditions of approval (COA) within GHMA. BMPs are 

continuously improving as new science and technology become available and therefore are subject to 

change. At a minimum include the following BMPs:

Roads

 Design roads to an appropriate standard no higher than necessary to accommodate their 

intended purpose.

 Do not issue ROWs to counties on mining development roads, unless for a temporary use 

consistent with all other terms and conditions included in this document.

 Coordinate road construction and use among ROW holders.

 Construct road crossing at right angles to ephemeral drainages and stream crossings.

 Establish speed limits on BLM system roads to reduce vehicle/wildlife collisions or design 

roads to be driven at slower speeds.

 Use dust abatement practices on roads and pads.
C. Required Design Features

C-6 North Dakota Greater Sage-Grouse Approved RMP Amendment September 2015

 Close and reclaim duplicate roads, by restoring original landform and establishing desired 

vegetation.

Operations 

 Cluster disturbances associated with operations and facilities as close as possible.

 Use directional and horizontal drilling to reduce surface disturbance.

 Clean up refuse.

 Restrict the construction of tall facilities and fences to the minimum number and amount 

needed.

 Use remote monitoring techniques for production facilities and develop a plan to reduce the 

frequency of vehicle use.

 Cover (e.g., fine mesh netting or use other effective techniques) all pits and tanks regardless 

of size to reduce GRSG mortality.

 Equip tanks and other above ground facilities with structures or devices that discourage 

nesting of raptors and corvids.

 Control the spread and effects of non-native plant species (Gelbard and Belnap 2003, 

Bergquist et al. 2007).

 Restrict pit and impoundment construction to reduce or eliminate augmenting threats from 

West Nile virus (Doherty 2007).

Reclamation

 Include restoration objectives to meet GRSG habitat needs in reclamation practices/sites. 

Address post reclamation management in reclamation plan such that goals and objectives 

are to protect and improve GRSG habitat needs.

Literature Cited

Blickley, J. L., D. Blackwood, and G. L. Patricelli. In preparation. Experimental evidence for avoidance of 

chronic anthropogenic noise by greater sage‐grouse. University of California, Davis.

Bui, T. D., J. M. Marzluff, and B. Bedrosian. 2010. “Common raven activity in relation to land use in 

western Wyoming: implications for greater sage‐grouse reproductive success.” Condor 112:65‐

78.

Doherty, M. K. 2007. Mosquito populations in the Powder River Basin, Wyoming: a comparison of 

natural, agricultural and effluent coal‐bed natural gas aquatic habitats. Master’s thesis, Montana 

State University, Bozeman.

Evangelista, P. H., A. W. Crall, and E. Bergquist. 2011. Invasive plants and their response to energy 

development. Pages 115‐129 in D. E. Naugle, editor. Energy development and wildlife 

conservation in western North America. Island Press, Washington, DC.

Lammers, W. M., and M. W. Collopy. 2007. “Effectiveness of avian predator perch deterrents on electric 

transmission lines.” Journal of Wildlife Management 71:2752‐2758.
C. Required Design Features

September 2015 North Dakota Greater Sage-Grouse Approved RMP Amendment C-7

Lyon, A. G. and S. H. Anderson. 2003. “Potential gas development impacts on sage grouse nest initiation 

and movement.” Wildlife Society Bulletin 31: 486‐491.

Patricelli, G. L., J. L. Blickley, and S. Hooper. 2010. Incorporating the impacts of noise pollution into 

greater sage‐grouse conservation planning. 27th Meeting of the Western Agencies Sage and 

Columbian Sharp‐tailed Grouse Technical Committee Workshop. Twin Falls, Idaho.

Pyke, D. A. 2011. Restoring and rehabilitating sagebrush habitats. Pp. 531‐548 in S. T. Knick and J. W. 

Connelly (editors). Greater sage‐grouse: ecology and conservation of a landscape species and its 

habitats. Studies in Avian Biology 38. University of California Press. Berkeley.

REQUIRED DESIGN FEATURES FOR FIRE & FUELS

Fuels Management

1. Where applicable, design fuels treatment objective to protect existing sagebrush 

ecosystems, modify fire behavior, restore native plants, and create landscape patters which 

most benefit GRSG habitat.

2. Provide training to fuels treatment personnel on GRSG biology, habitat requirements, and 

identification of areas utilized locally.

3. Use fire prescriptions that minimize undesirable effects on vegetation or soils (e.g., minimize 

mortality of desirable perennial plant species and reduce risk of hydrophobicity).

4. Ensure proposed sagebrush treatments are planned with interdisciplinary input from BLM 

and /or state wildlife agency biologist and that treatment acreage is conservative in the 

context of surrounding GRSG seasonal habitats and landscape.

5. Where appropriate, ensure that treatments are configured in a manner (e.g., strips) that 

promotes use by GRSG (See Connelly et al. 2000*)

6. Where applicable, incorporate roads and natural fuel breaks into fuel break design.

7. Power‐wash all vehicles and equipment involved in fuels management activities prior to 

entering the area to minimize the introduction of undesirable and/or invasive plant species.

8. Design vegetation treatment in areas of high frequency to facilitate firefighting safety, reduce 

the risk of extreme fire behavior; and to reduce the risk and rate of fire spread to key and 

restoration habitats.

9. Give priority for implementing specific GRSG habitat restoration projects in annual 

grasslands first to sites which are adjacent to or surrounded by GRSG key habitats. Annual 

grasslands are second priority for restoration when the sites not adjacent to key habitat, but 

within two miles of key habitat. The third priority for annual grasslands habitat restoration 

projects are sites beyond two miles of key habitat. The intent is to focus restoration 

outward from existing, intact habitat.

10. As funding and logistics permit, restore annual grasslands to a species composition 

characterized by perennial grasses, forbs, and shrubs.

11. Emphasize the use of native plant species, recognizing that non‐native species may be 

necessary depending on the availability of native seed and prevailing site conditions.
C. Required Design Features

C-8 North Dakota Greater Sage-Grouse Approved RMP Amendment September 2015

12. Remove standing and encroaching trees within at least 100 meters of occupied GRSG leks 

and other habitats (e.g., nesting, wintering, and brood rearing) to reduce the availability of 

perch sites for avian predators, as appropriate, and resources permit.

13. Protect wildland areas from wildfire originating on private lands, infrastructure corridors, 

and recreational areas.

14. Reduce the risk of vehicle or human‐caused wildfires and the spread of invasive species by 

planting perennial vegetation (e.g., green‐strips) paralleling road rights‐of‐way.

15. Strategically place and maintain pre‐treated strips/areas (e.g., mowing, herbicide application, 

and strictly managed grazed strips) to ail in controlling wildfire should wildfire occur near 

key habitats or important restoration areas (such as where investments in restoration have 

already been made).

Fire Management

1. Develop state‐specific GRSG toolboxes containing maps, a list of resource advisors, contact 

information, local guidance, and other relevant information.

2. Provide localized maps to dispatch offices and extended attack incident commanders for use 

in prioritizing wildfire suppression resources and designing suppression tactics.

3. Assign a GRSG resource advisor to all extended attack fires in or near key GRSG habitat 

areas. Prior to the fire season, provide training to GRSG resource advisors on wildfire 

suppression organization, objectives, tactics, and procedures to develop a cadre of qualified 

individuals.

4. On critical fire weather days, pre‐position additional fire suppression resources to optimize 

a quick and efficient response in GRSG habitat areas.

5. During periods of multiple fires, ensure line officers are involved in setting priorities.

6. To the extent possible, locate wildfire suppression facilities (i.e., base camps, spike camps, 

drop points, staging areas, heli‐bases) in areas where physical disturbance to GRSG habitat 

can be minimized. These include disturbed areas, grasslands, near roads/trails or in other 

areas where there is existing disturbance or minimal sagebrush cover.

7. Power‐wash all firefighting vehicles, to the extent possible, including engines, water tenders, 

personnel vehicles, and all-terrain vehicles prior to deploying in or near GRSG habitat areas 

to minimize noxious weed spread.

8. Minimize unnecessary cross‐country vehicle travel during fire operations in GRSG habitat.

9. Minimize burnout operations in key GRSG habitat areas by constructing direct fireline 

whenever safe and practical to do so.

10. Utilize retardant and mechanized equipment to minimize burned acreage during initial 

attack.

11. As safety allows, conduct mop‐up where the black adjoins unburned islands, dog legs, or 

other habitat features to minimize sagebrush loss.
C. Required Design Features

September 2015 North Dakota Greater Sage-Grouse Approved RMP Amendment C-9

Literature Cited

Connelly, J.W., M.A Schroeder, A.R. Sands, and C.E. Braun 2000. Guidelines to Manage Sage‐grouse 

Populations and Their Habitats. Wildlife Society Bulletin 28:967‐985.

SOLID MINERALS DEVELOPMENT – REQUIRED DESIGN FEATURES

Introduction

The following measures outlined would be applied as RDFs for solid minerals. For locatable minerals, the 

RDFs would be applied to the extent consistent with applicable laws.

Roads

 Design roads to an appropriate standard no higher than necessary to accommodate their 

intended purpose.

 Locate roads to avoid important areas and habitats.

 Coordinate road construction and use among ROW holders.

 Construct road crossing at right angles to ephemeral drainages and stream crossings.

 Establish speed limits on BLM system roads to reduce vehicle/wildlife collisions or design 

roads to be driven at slower speeds.

 Do not issue ROWs to counties on mining development roads, unless for a temporary use 

consistent with all other terms and conditions included in this document.

 Restrict vehicle traffic to only authorized users on newly constructed routes (e.g., use

signing, and gates)

 Use dust abatement practices on roads and pads.

 Close and reclaim duplicate roads, by restoring original landform and establishing desired 

vegetation.

Operations

 Cluster disturbances associated with operations and facilities as close as possible.

 Place infrastructure in already disturbed locations where the habitat has not been restored.

 Restrict the construction of tall facilities and fences to the minimum number and amount 

needed.

 Site and/or minimize linear ROWs to reduce disturbance to sagebrush habitats.

 Place new utility developments (power lines, pipelines, etc.) and transportation routes in 

existing utility or transportation corridors.

 Bury power lines.

 Cover (e.g., fine mesh netting or use other effective techniques) all pits and tanks regardless 

of size to reduce GRSG mortality.

 Equip tanks and other above ground facilities with structures or devices that discourage 

nesting of raptors and corvids.
C. Required Design Features

C-10 North Dakota Greater Sage-Grouse Approved RMP Amendment September 2015

 Control the spread and effects of non‐native plant species (Gelbard and Belnap 2003, 

Bergquist et al. 2007).

 Restrict pit and impoundment construction to reduce or eliminate threats from West Nile 

virus (Doherty 2007).

 Remove or re‐inject produced water to reduce habitat for mosquitoes that vector West 

Nile virus. If surface disposal of produced water continues, use the following steps for 

reservoir design to limit favorable mosquito habitat:

– Overbuild size of ponds for muddy and non‐vegetated shorelines.

– Build steep shorelines to decrease vegetation and increase wave actions.

– Avoid flooding terrestrial vegetation in flat terrain or low lying areas.

– Construct dams or impoundments that restrict down slope seepage or overflow.

– Line the channel where discharge water flows into the pond with crushed rock.

– Construct spillway with steep sides and line it with crushed rock.

– Treat waters with larvicides to reduce mosquito production where water occurs on 

the surface.

 Require GRSG‐safe fences.

 Clean up refuse (Bui et al. 2010).

 Locate man camps outside of PHMA.

Reclamation

 Include restoration objectives to meet GRSG habitat needs in reclamation practices/sites.

 Address post reclamation management in reclamation plan such that goals and objectives 

are to protect and improve GRSG habitat needs.

 Maximize the area of interim reclamation on long‐term access roads and well pads including 

reshaping, topsoiling and revegetating cut and fill slopes.

 Restore disturbed areas at final reclamation to pre‐disturbance landform and desired plant 

community.

 Irrigate interim reclamation as necessary during dry periods.

 Utilize mulching techniques to expedite reclamation.

Literature Cited

Bergquist, E., P. Evangelista, T. J. Stohlgren, and N. Alley. 2007. Invasive species and coal bed methane 

development in the Powder River Basin, Wyoming. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment 

128:381‐394.

Bui, T. D., J. M. Marzluff, and B. Bedrosian. 2010. Common raven activity in relation to land use in 

western Wyoming: implications for greater sage‐grouse reproductive success. Condor 112:65‐

78.
C. Required Design Features

September 2015 North Dakota Greater Sage-Grouse Approved RMP Amendment C-11

Doherty, M. K. 2007. Mosquito populations in the Powder River Basin, Wyoming: a comparison of 

natural, agricultural and effluent coal bed natural gas aquatic habitats. Thesis. Montana State 

University, Bozeman

Gelbard, J. L., and J. Belnap. 2003. Roads as conduits for exotic plant invasions in a semiarid landscape. 

Conservation Biology 17:420‐432.
C. Required Design Features

C-12 North Dakota Greater Sage-Grouse Approved RMP Amendment September 2015

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Appendix D

The Greater Sage-Grouse Monitoring Framework

September 2015 North Dakota Greater Sage-Grouse Approved RMP Amendment D-1

APPENDIX D

THE GREATER SAGE-GROUSE MONITORING 

FRAMEWORK

D.1 INTRODUCTION

The purpose of this US Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Greater Sage-grouse Monitoring Framework 

(hereafter, monitoring framework) is to describe the methods to monitor habitats and evaluate the 

implementation and effectiveness of the BLM planning strategy (BLM IM 2012-044) to conserve the 

species and its habitat. The regulations for the BLM (43 CFR 1610.4-9) require that land use plans 

establish intervals and standards, as appropriate, for monitoring and evaluations, based on the sensitivity 

of the resource to the decisions involved. Therefore, BLM will use the methods described herein to 

collect monitoring data to evaluate implementation and effectiveness of the Greater Sage-grouse 

(hereafter, sage-grouse) planning strategy and the conservation measures contained in land use plans. 

The type of monitoring data to be collected at the land use plan scale will be described in the 

monitoring plan which will be developed after the signing of the ROD. For a summary of the frequency 

of reporting see Attachment A, An Overview of Monitoring Commitments. 

To ensure the BLM has the ability to make consistent assessments about sage-grouse habitats across the 

range of the species, this framework lays out the methodology for monitoring the implementation and 

evaluating the effectiveness of BLM actions to conserve the species and its habitat through monitoring 

that informs effectiveness at multiple scales. Monitoring efforts will include data for measurable 

quantitative indicators of sagebrush availability, anthropogenic disturbance levels, and sagebrush 

conditions. Implementation monitoring results will provide information to allow the BLM to evaluate the 

extent that decisions from the BLM resource management plans (RMP) to conserve sage-grouse and its 

habitat have been implemented. Population monitoring information will be collected by state fish and 

wildlife agencies and will be incorporated into effectiveness monitoring as it is made available.

This multi-scale monitoring approach is necessary as sage-grouse are a landscape species and 

conservation is scale-dependent whereby conservation actions are implemented within seasonal habitats 

to benefit populations. The four orders of habitat selection (Johnson 1980) used in this monitoring 

framework are described by Connelly et al. (2003) and Stiver et al. (2014) as first order (broad scale), 

second order (mid-scale), third order (fine scale), and fourth order (site scale) to apply them to sagegrouse habitat selection. Habitat selection and habitat use by sage-grouse occurs at multiple scales and is 
D. The Greater Sage-Grouse Draft Monitoring Framework

D-2 North Dakota Greater Sage-Grouse Approved RMP Amendment September 2015

driven by multiple environmental and behavioral factors. Managing and monitoring sage-grouse habitats 

are complicated by the differences in habitat selection across the range and habitat utilization by 

individual birds within a given season. Therefore, the tendency to look at a single indicator of habitat 

suitability or only one scale limits the ability for managers to identify the threats to sage-grouse and to 

respond at the appropriate scale. For descriptions of these habitat suitability indicators for each scale, 

see the Sage-grouse Habitat Assessment Framework (HAF; Stiver et al. in press).

Monitoring methods and indicators in this monitoring framework are derived from the current peerreviewed science. Range wide best-available datasets for broad and mid-scale monitoring will be 

acquired. If these exiting datasets are not readily available or are inadequate, but are necessary to 

effectively inform the three measurable quantitative indicators (sagebrush availability, anthropogenic 

disturbance levels, and sagebrush conditions), the BLM will strive to develop datasets or obtain 

information to fill these data gaps. Datasets that are not readily available to inform the fine and site scale 

indicators will be developed. These data will be used to generate monitoring reports at the appropriate 

and applicable geographic scales, boundaries and analysis units: across the range of sage-grouse as 

defined by Schroeder et al. (2004), and clipped by Western Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies 

(WAFWA) Management Zone (MZ) (Stiver et al. 2006) boundaries and other areas as appropriate for 

size (e.g., populations based on Connelly et al. 2004; Figure D-1, Map of greater sage-grouse range, 

populations, subpopulations and Priority Areas for Conservation (PACs) as of 2013). This broad and 

mid-scale monitoring data and analysis will provide context for RMP areas; states; priority habitat 

management areas (PHMA), general habitat management areas (GHMA); and Priority Areas for 

Conservation (PACs) as defined in the Greater Sage-grouse Conservation Objectives: Final Report 

(COT, US Fish and Wildlife Service 2013). Throughout the remainder of the document, all of these 

areas will be referred to as “sage-grouse areas”.

This monitoring framework is divided into two sections. The broad and mid-scale methods, described in 

Section D.2, provide a consistent approach across the range of the species to monitor implementation 

decisions and actions, mid-scale habitat attributes (e.g., sagebrush availability and habitat degradation), 

and population changes to determine the effectiveness of BLM planning strategy and management 

decisions (see Table D-1, Indicators for monitoring implementation of the strategy, decisions, sagegrouse habitat, and sage-grouse populations at the broad and mid-scales). For the sage-grouse habitat 

fine and site scales (Section D.3), this framework describes a consistent approach (e.g., indicators and 

methods) for monitoring sage-grouse seasonal habitats. Funding, support, and dedicated personnel for 

broad and mid-scale monitoring will be renewed annually through the normal budget process. For an 

overview of the BLM multi-scale monitoring commitments see Attachment A.

D.2 BROAD AND MID-SCALES

First order habitat selection at the broad scale describes the physical or geographical range of a species. 

The first order habitat, the range of the species, is defined by populations of sage-grouse associated with 

sagebrush landscapes based on Schroeder et al. 2004, Connelly et al. 2004 and population surveys and 

local adjustments based on population or habitat surveys since 2004. There is an intermediate scale 

between the broad and mid-scales that was delineated by WAFWA from floristic provinces within which 

similar environmental factors influence vegetation communities. This scale is referred to as the WAFWA 

Sage-grouse MZs. Although no indicators are specific to this scale, these MZs are biologically meaningful 

as reporting units. 
D. The Greater Sage-Grouse Draft Monitoring Framework

September 2015 North Dakota Greater Sage-Grouse Approved RMP Amendment D-3

Figure D-1

Map of greater sage-grouse range, populations, subpopulations and Priority Areas for 

Conservation (PACs) as of 2013.
D. The Greater Sage-Grouse Draft Monitoring Framework

D-4 North Dakota Greater Sage-Grouse Approved RMP Amendment September 2015

Table D-1

Indicators for monitoring implementation of the strategy, decisions, sage-grouse habitat, 

and sage-grouse populations at the broad and mid-scales.

Geographic 

Scales Implementation Habitat

Population 

(State Wildlife 

Agencies)

Availability Degradation Demographics

Broad Scale: 

From the range 

of sage-grouse 

to WAFWA 

Management 

Zones

BLM Planning 

Strategy goal and 

objectives 

Distribution and 

amount of 

sagebrush within 

the range

Distribution and 

amount of energy, 

mining and 

infrastructure 

facilities

WAFWA 

Management 

Zone population 

trend

Mid-scale: From 

WAFWA 

Management 

Zone to 

populations. 

PACs

RMP decisions Mid-scale habitat 

indicators (HAF 

2014; Table D.2 

e.g., percent of 

sagebrush per unit 

area) 

Distribution and 

amount of energy, 

mining and 

infrastructure 

facilities (Table 

D.2)

Individual 

population trend

Second order habitat selection, the mid-scale, includes sage-grouse populations and PACs. The second 

order includes at least 40 discrete populations and subpopulations (Connelly et al. 2004). Populations 

range in area from 150 to 60,000 mi2. PACs range from 20 to 20,400 mi2 and are nested within 

population areas, and populations are nested within Management Zones.

Other mid-scale landscape indicators such as patch size and number, patch connectivity, linkage areas, 

and landscape matrix and edge effects (Stiver et al. in press) will also be assessed. The methods used to 

calculate these metrics will be derived from existing literature (Knick et al. 2011, Leu and Hanser 2011, 

Knick and Hanser 2011).

D.2.1 Implementation (Decision) Monitoring

Implementation monitoring is the process of tracking and documenting the implementation (or the 

progress toward implementation) of land use plan decisions. The BLM will monitor implementation of 

project level and/or site specific actions and authorizations with their associated conditions of 

approval/stipulations for sage-grouse spatially (as appropriate) within PHMA, GHMA, at a minimum, for 

the North Dakota Greater Sage-Grouse RMPA/EIS. These actions and authorizations as well as progress 

toward completing and implementing activity-level plans will be monitored consistently across all 

planning units and reported to BLM headquarters annually, with a summary report every five years, for 

this North Dakota Greater Sage-Grouse RMPA/EIS. A national-level Land Use Plan Implementation 

Monitoring and Reporting Structure (IMARS) that describes how the BLM will consistently and 

systematically monitor and report implementation level activity plans and implementation actions for all 

plans within the range of sage-grouse will be developed by the Implementation Monitoring Team and will 

be included in the Record of Decision (ROD)/Approved Plan. A centralized tracking tool (IMARS) for 

collection, roll-up and reporting of tabular and spatially explicit data will be utilized. BLM will provide 

data that can be integrated with other conservation efforts conducted by state and federal partners.
D. The Greater Sage-Grouse Draft Monitoring Framework

September 2015 North Dakota Greater Sage-Grouse Approved RMP Amendment D-5

D.2.2 Habitat Monitoring

In the USFWS’s 2010 listing decision for the sage-grouse, the USFWS identified 18 threats contributing 

to the destruction, modification, or curtailment of the sage-grouse’s habitat or range (75 FR 13910 

2010). The BLM will therefore monitor the relative extent of these threats that remove sagebrush (see 

Table D-2, Relationship between the 18 threats and the three habitat disturbance measures for 

monitoring. Data availability may preclude specific analysis of individual layers), both spatially and 

temporally, on all lands within an analysis area, and to report on amount, pattern and condition at the 

appropriate and applicable geographic scales and boundaries. These 18 threats have been aggregated 

into three broad and mid-scale measures to account for whether the threat predominantly removes 

sagebrush or degrades habitat. The three measures are:

 Measure 1: Sagebrush Availability (percent of sagebrush per unit area)

 Measure 2: Habitat Degradation (percent of human activity per unit area) 

 Measure 3: Density of Energy and Mining (facilities and locations per unit area)

Table D-2

Relationship between the 18 threats and the three habitat disturbance measures for 

monitoring. Data availability may preclude specific analysis of individual layers. See the 

detailed methodology for more information.

USFWS Listing Decision Threat Sagebrush 

Availability

Habitat 

Degradation

Density of 

Energy and 

Mining

Agriculture X

Urbanization X

Wildfire X

Conifer encroachment X

Treatments X

Invasive Species X

Energy (oil and gas wells and development 

facilities)

X X

Energy (coal mines) X X

Energy (wind towers) X X

Energy (solar fields) X X

Energy (geothermal) X X

Mining (active locatable, leasable, and salable 

developments)

X X

Infrastructure (roads) X

Infrastructure (railroads) X

Infrastructure (power lines) X

Infrastructure (communication towers) X

Infrastructure (other vertical structures) X

Other developed rights of ways X

These three habitat disturbance measures will evaluate disturbance on all lands regardless of land 

ownership. The direct area of influence will be assessed with the goal to account for actual removal of 

sagebrush upon which sage-grouse depend (Connelly et al. 2000) and for habitat degradation as a 
D. The Greater Sage-Grouse Draft Monitoring Framework

D-6 North Dakota Greater Sage-Grouse Approved RMP Amendment September 2015

surrogate for human activity. Measure 1 examines where disturbances have removed plant communities 

that support sagebrush (or have broadly removed sagebrush from the landscape), and therefore 

monitors the change in sagebrush availability, or specifically where and how much of the sagebrush 

community is available within the range of sage-grouse. The sagebrush community is defined as the 

ecological systems that have the capability to support sagebrush vegetation and seasonal sage-grouse 

habitats within the range of sage-grouse (see Section D.2.2.1 below). Measures 2 and 3 (see Section 

D.2.2.2 below) focus on where habitat degradation is occurring using the footprint/area of direct 

disturbance and the number of facilities at the mid-scale to identify the relative amount of degradation 

per geographic unit of interest and in areas that have the capability to support sagebrush and seasonal 

sage-grouse use. Measure 2 is not only a quantification of footprint/area of direct disturbance but also a 

surrogate for those threats most likely to have ongoing activity. In addition, energy development and 

mining activities are typically the most intensive activities in sagebrush habitat. Therefore, measure 3, the 

density of active energy development, production, and mining sites will be monitored to help identify 

areas of particular concern for factors such as noise, dust, traffic, etc., that degrade sage-grouse habitat.

The methods to monitor disturbance found herein differ slightly from methods used in the Sage-Grouse 

Baseline Environmental Report (BER; Manier et al. 2013) that provided a baseline of datasets of 

disturbance across jurisdictions. One difference is that, for some threats, the data in the BER were for 

federal lands only. In addition, threats were assessed individually in that report, using different 

assumptions from those in this monitoring framework about how to quantify the location and magnitude 

of threats. The methodology herein builds on the BER methodology and identifies datasets and 

procedures to utilize the best available data across the range of the sage-grouse and to formulate a 

consistent approach to quantify impact of the threats through time. This methodology also describes an 

approach to combine the threats and calculate the three measures.

D.2.2.1 Sagebrush Availability (Measure 1)

Sage-grouse populations have been found to be more resilient where a percentage of the landscape is 

maintained in sagebrush (Knick and Connelly 2011), which will be determined by sagebrush availability. 

This measure has been divided into two sub-measures to describe sagebrush availability on the 

landscape: 

 Measure 1a) the current amount of sagebrush on the landscape of interest and 

 Measure 1b) the amount of sagebrush on the landscape of interest compared to the amount 

of sagebrush the landscape of interest could ecologically support. 

Measure 1a (the current amount of sagebrush on the landscape) will be calculated using this formula: 

[the existing updated sagebrush layer] divided by [the geographic unit of interest]. The appropriate 

geographic units of interest for sagebrush availability include the species’ range, WAFWA Management 

Zones, populations, and PACs. In some cases these sage-grouse areas will need to be aggregated to 

provide an estimate of sagebrush availability with an acceptable level of accuracy.

Measure 1b (the amount of sagebrush for context within the area of interest) will be calculated using 

this formula: [the existing updated sagebrush layer (EVT)] divided by [pre Euro-American geographic 

extent of lands that could have supported sagebrush (BpS)]. This will provide information during 

evaluations of monitoring data to set the context for a given geographic unit of interest. That 

information could also be used for management options for restoration or mitigation.
D. The Greater Sage-Grouse Draft Monitoring Framework

September 2015 North Dakota Greater Sage-Grouse Approved RMP Amendment D-7

The sagebrush base layer for the sagebrush availability measure will be based on geospatial vegetation 

data adjusted for the threats listed in Table D-2. The following sub-sections of this monitoring 

framework describe the methodology to determine both the current availability of sagebrush on the 

landscape and the context of the amount of sagebrush on the landscape at the broad and mid-scales.

Establishing the Sagebrush Base Layer

The current geographic extent of sagebrush vegetation within the range wide distribution of sage-grouse 

populations will be ascertained using the most recent version of the Existing Vegetation Type (EVT) 

layer in LANDFIRE (2010). LANDFIRE EVT was selected to serve as the sagebrush base layer for five 

reasons: 1) it is the only nationally consistent vegetation layer that has been updated multiple times since 

2001; 2) the ecological systems classification within LANDFIRE EVT includes multiple sagebrush type 

classes that, when aggregated, provide a more accurate (compared with individual classes) and seamless 

sagebrush base layer across jurisdictional boundaries; 3) LANDFIRE performed a rigorous accuracy 

assessment from which to derive the range wide uncertainty of the sagebrush base layer; 4) 

LANDFIRE is consistently used in several recent analyses of sagebrush habitats (Knick et al. 2011, Leu 

and Hanser 2011, Knick and Hanser 2011); and 5) LANDFIRE EVT can be compared against the 

geographic extent of lands that are believed to have had the capability to support sagebrush vegetation 

pre Euro-American settlement [LANDFIRE Biophysical Setting (BpS)]. This fifth reason provides a 

reference point for understanding how much sagebrush currently remains in a defined geographic area 

compared with how much sagebrush existed historically (Measure 1b). Therefore, BLM have determined 

that LANDFIRE provides the best available data at broad and mid-scales to serve as a sagebrush base 

layer for monitoring changes in the geographic extent of sagebrush. Along with aggregating the 

sagebrush types into the sagebrush base layer, BLM will aggregate the accuracy assessment reports from 

LANDFIRE to document the cumulative accuracy for the sagebrush base layer. For the long-term, BLM 

through its Assessment, Inventory, and Monitoring (AIM) program and specifically the BLM’S Landscape 

Monitoring Framework (Taylor et al., in press) will provide field data to the LANDFIRE program to 

support continuous quality improvements in their products specifically for rangeland systems to improve 

the LANDFIRE EVT layer.

Within the BLM, field office-wide existing vegetation classification mapping and inventories are available 

that provide a much finer level of data than provided through LANDFIRE. Where available, these finer 

scale products are useful for additional and complimentary mid-scale indicators and local scale analyses 

(see SectionD.3, Fine and Site Scale). The fact that these products are not available everywhere limits 

their utility for monitoring at the broad and mid-scale where consistency of data products is necessary 

across broader geographies.

The sagebrush layer based on LANDFIRE EVT will allow for the mid-scale estimation of existing percent 

sagebrush across a variety of reporting units. This sagebrush base layer will be adjusted by changes in 

land cover and successful restoration for future calculations of sagebrush availability (Measures 1a and 

1b).

This layer will be used to determine the trend in other landscape indicators, e.g. patch size and number, 

patch connectivity, linkage areas, and landscape matrix and edge effects (Stiver et al. in press). In the 

future, changes in sagebrush availability, generated bi-annually, will be included in the sagebrush base 

layer. The landscape metrics will be recalculated to examine changes in pattern and abundance of 
D. The Greater Sage-Grouse Draft Monitoring Framework

D-8 North Dakota Greater Sage-Grouse Approved RMP Amendment September 2015

sagebrush at the various geographic boundaries. This information will be included in effectiveness 

monitoring (see Section D.2.4).

Data Sources to Establish and Monitor Sagebrush Availability

In much the same manner as how the LANDFIRE data was selected as the data source, described above, 

the criteria for selecting the datasets (Table D-3, Datasets for Establishing and Monitoring Changes in 

Sagebrush Availability) for establishing and monitoring the change in sagebrush availability, Measure 1, 

were threefold:

 Nationally consistent dataset available across the range

 Known level of confidence or accuracy in the dataset

 Dataset is continually maintained with a known update interval

Table D-3

Datasets for Establishing and Monitoring Changes in Sagebrush Availability

Dataset Source Update 

Interval

Most Recent 

Version Year Use

BioPhysical Setting 

(BpS) v1.1

LANDFIRE Static 2008 Denominator for 

Sagebrush 

Availability (Section 

D.2.2.1)

Existing Vegetation 

Type (EVT) v1.2

LANDFIRE Static 2010 Numerator for 

Sagebrush 

Availability 

Cropland Data Layer 

(CDL)

National 

Agricultural 

Statistics Service 

(NASS)

Annual 2012 Agricultural Updates; 

removes existing 

sagebrush from 

numerator of 

sagebrush availability

National Land Cover 

Dataset (NLCD) 

Percent 

Imperviousness

Multi-Resolution 

Land 

Characteristics 

Consortium 

(MRLC)

5 Year 2011 available in 

March 2014

Urban Area Updates; 

removes existing 

sagebrush from 

numerator of 

sagebrush availability

Fire Perimeters GeoMac Annual 2013 < 1,000 acres Fire 

updates; removes 

existing sagebrush 

from numerator of 

sagebrush availability 

Burn Severity Monitoring Trends 

in Burn Severity 

(MTBS)

Annual 2012 available in 

April 2014

> 1,000 acres Fire 

Updates; removes 

existing sagebrush 

from numerator of 

sagebrush availability 

except for unburned 

sagebrush islands
D. The Greater Sage-Grouse Draft Monitoring Framework

September 2015 North Dakota Greater Sage-Grouse Approved RMP Amendment D-9

LANDFIRE Existing Vegetation Type (EVT) Version 1.2

LANDFIRE EVT represents existing vegetation types on the landscape derived from remote sensing 

data. Initial mapping was conducted using imagery collected in approximately 2001. Since the initial 

mapping, there have been two update efforts: version 1.1 represents changes up to 2008 and version 1.2 

reflects changes on the landscape up to 2010. Version 1.2 will be used as the starting point to develop 

the sagebrush base layer.

Ecological systems from the LANDFIRE EVT to be used in the sagebrush base layer were determined by 

sage-grouse subject matter experts through the identification of the ecological systems that have the 

capability of supporting sagebrush vegetation and could provide suitable seasonal habitat for the sagegrouse (Table D-4, Ecological Systems in BpS and EVT Capable of Supporting Sagebrush Vegetation and 

Could Provide Suitable Seasonal Habitat for Greater Sage-grouse). Two additional vegetation types that 

are not ecological systems were added to the EVT and are Artemisia tridentata ssp. vaseyana Shrubland 

Alliance and Quercus gambelii Shrubland Alliance. These alliances have species composition directly 

related to the Rocky Mountain Lower Montane - Foothill Shrubland ecological system and the Rocky 

Mountain Gambel Oak-Mixed Montane Shrubland ecological system, both of which are ecological 

systems in LANDFIRE BpS. In LANDFIRE EVT however, in some map zones, the Rocky Mountain Lower 

Montane - Foothill Shrubland ecological system and the Rocky Mountain Gambel Oak-Mixed Montane 

Shrubland ecological system were named Artemisia tridentata ssp. vaseyana Shrubland Alliance and 

Quercus gambelii Shrubland Alliance respectively.

Table D-4

Ecological Systems in BpS and EVT Capable of Supporting Sagebrush Vegetation and 

Could Provide Suitable Seasonal Habitat for Greater Sage-grouse.

Ecological System Sagebrush Vegetation that the Ecological System has 

the Capability to Produce

Colorado Plateau Mixed Low Sagebrush 

Shrubland

Artemisia arbuscula ssp. longiloba

Artemisia bigelovii

Artemisia nova

Artemisia frigida

Artemisia tridentata ssp. wyomingensis

Columbia Plateau Scabland Shrubland Artemisia rigida

Great Basin Xeric Mixed Sagebrush Shrubland Artemisia arbuscula ssp. longicaulis

Artemisia arbuscula ssp. longiloba

Artemisia nova

Artemisia tridentata ssp. wyomingensis

Inter-Mountain Basins Big Sagebrush Shrubland Artemisia tridentata ssp. tridentata

Artemisia tridentata ssp. xericensis

Artemisia tridentata ssp. vaseyana

Artemisia tridentata ssp. wyomingensis

Inter-Mountain Basins Mixed Salt Desert Scrub Artemisia tridentata ssp. wyomingensis

Artemisia spinescens

Wyoming Basins Dwarf Sagebrush Shrubland and 

Steppe

Artemisia arbuscula ssp. longiloba

Artemisia nova

Artemisia tridentata ssp. wyomingensis

Artemisia tripartita ssp. rupicola

Columbia Plateau Low Sagebrush Steppe Artemisia arbuscula

Artemisia arbuscula ssp. longiloba

Artemisia nova
D. The Greater Sage-Grouse Draft Monitoring Framework

D-10 North Dakota Greater Sage-Grouse Approved RMP Amendment September 2015

Table D-4

Ecological Systems in BpS and EVT Capable of Supporting Sagebrush Vegetation and 

Could Provide Suitable Seasonal Habitat for Greater Sage-grouse.

Ecological System Sagebrush Vegetation that the Ecological System has 

the Capability to Produce

Inter-Mountain Basins Big Sagebrush Steppe Artemisia cana ssp. cana

Artemisia tridentata ssp. tridentata

Artemisia tridentata ssp. xericensis

Artemisia tridentata ssp. wyomingensis

Artemisia tripartita ssp. tripartita

Artemisia frigida

Inter-Mountain Basins Montane Sagebrush Steppe Artemisia tridentata ssp. vaseyana

Artemisia tridentata ssp. wyomingensis

Artemisia nova

Artemisia arbuscula

Artemisia tridentata ssp. spiciformis

Northwestern Great Plains Mixed grass Prairie Artemisia cana ssp. cana

Artemisia tridentata ssp. vaseyana

Artemisia frigida

Northwestern Great Plains Shrubland Artemisia cana ssp. cana

Artemisia tridentata ssp. tridentata

Artemisia tridentata ssp. wyomingensis

Western Great Plains Sand Prairie Artemisia cana ssp. cana

Western Great Plains Floodplain Systems Artemisia cana ssp. cana

Columbia Plateau Steppe and Grassland Artemisia spp.

Inter-Mountain Basins Semi-Desert Shrub-Steppe Artemisia tridentata

Artemisia bigelovii

Artemisia tridentata ssp. wyomingensis

Rocky Mountain Lower Montane-Foothill 

Shrubland

Artemisia nova

Artemisia tridentata

Artemisia frigida

Rocky Mountain Gambel Oak-Mixed Montane 

Shrubland

Artemisia tridentata

Inter-Mountain Basins Curl-Leaf Mountain 

Mahogany Woodland and Shrubland

Artemisia tridentata ssp. vaseyana

Artemisia arbuscula

Artemisia tridentata

Artemisia tridentata ssp. vaseyana

Shrubland Alliance (EVT only)

Artemisia tridentata ssp. vaseyana

Quercus gambelii Shrubland Alliance (EVT only) Artemisia tridentata

Accuracy and Appropriate Use of LANDFIRE Datasets

Because of concerns over the thematic accuracy of individual classes mapped by LANDFIRE, all 

ecological systems listed in Table D-4 will be merged into one value that represents the sagebrush base 

layer. By aggregating all ecological systems, the combined accuracy of the sagebrush base layer (EVT) is 

much greater than if all categories were treated separately.

LANDFIRE performed the original accuracy assessment of their EVT product on a map zone basis. 

There are 20 LANDFIRE map zones that cover the historic range of sage-grouse as defined by 

Schroeder (2004). Attachment C, User and Producer Accuracies for Aggregated Ecological Systems 

within LANDFIRE Map Zones, lists the user and producer accuracies for the aggregated ecological 

systems that make up the sagebrush base layer and also defines user and producer accuracies. The 
D. The Greater Sage-Grouse Draft Monitoring Framework

September 2015 North Dakota Greater Sage-Grouse Approved RMP Amendment D-11

aggregated sagebrush base layer for monitoring had producer accuracies ranging from 56.7% to 100% 

and user accuracies ranging from 57.1% to 85.7%.

LANDFIRE EVT data are not designed to be used at a local level. In reporting the percent sagebrush statistic 

for the various reporting units (Measure 1a), the uncertainty of the percent sagebrush will increase as 

the size of the reporting unit gets smaller. LANDFIRE data should never be used at the pixel level (30m2

resolution of raster data) for any reporting. The smallest geographic extent use of the data for this 

purpose is at the PAC level and for the smallest PACs the initial percent sagebrush estimate will have 

greater uncertainties compared with the much larger PACs.

Agricultural Adjustments for the Sagebrush Base Layer

The dataset for the geographic extent of agricultural lands will come from the National Agricultural 

Statistics Service (NASS) Cropland Data Layer (CDL) 

(http://www.nass.usda.gov/research/Cropland/Release/index.htm). CDL data are generated on an annual 

basis with “estimated producer accuracies for large row crops from the mid 80 to mid-90 percent” 

depending on the State (http://www.nass.usda.gov/research/Cropland/sarsfaqs2.htm#Section3_18.0). 

Readers are referred to the NASS metadata website for specific information on accuracy 

(http://www.nass.usda.gov/research/Cropland/metadata/meta.htm). CDL provided the only dataset that 

matches the three criteria (nationally consistent, known level of accuracy, and periodically updated) for 

use in this monitoring framework and represents the best available agricultural lands mapping product.

The CDL data contain both agricultural classes as well as non-agricultural classes. For this effort, as was 

also done in the Baseline Environmental Report (Manier et al. 2013), non-agricultural classes were 

removed from the original dataset. The excluded classes are:

Barren (65 & 131), Deciduous Forest (141), Developed/High Intensity (124), Developed/Low 

Intensity (122), Developed/Med Intensity (123), Developed/Open Space (121), Evergreen Forest 

(142), Grassland Herbaceous (171), Herbaceous Wetlands (195), Mixed Forest (143), Open 

Water (83 & 111), Other Hay/Non Alfalfa (37), Pasture/Hay (181), Pasture/Grass (62), Perennial 

Ice/Snow (112), Shrubland (64 & 152), Woody Wetlands (190).

The rule set for adjusting the sagebrush base layer for agricultural lands is that once an area is classified 

as agriculture in any year of the CDL, those pixels will remain out of the sagebrush base layer even if a 

new version of CDL classifies that pixel as one of the non-ag classes listed above. The assumption is that 

even though individual pixels may get classified as a non-agricultural class in any given year the pixel has 

not necessarily been restored to a natural sagebrush community that would be included in Table D-4. 

It is further assumed that once an area has moved into agricultural use, it is unlikely that it would be 

restored to sagebrush, however, should that occur, the method and criteria for adding pixels back into 

the sagebrush base layer would follow those found in the Restoration Updates section of this 

framework. 

Urban Adjustments for the Sagebrush Base Layer

The National Land Cover Dataset (NLCD) Percent Imperviousness was selected as the best available 

dataset to be used for urban updates. These data are generated on a five-year cycle and specifically 

designed to support monitoring efforts. Other datasets were evaluated and lacked the spatial specificity 

that was captured in the NLCD product. Any new impervious pixel will be removed from the sagebrush 

base layer during the update process. Although the impervious surface layer includes a number of 
D. The Greater Sage-Grouse Draft Monitoring Framework

D-12 North Dakota Greater Sage-Grouse Approved RMP Amendment September 2015

impervious pixels outside of urban areas, there are two reasons why this is acceptable for this process. 

First, an evaluation of national urban area datasets did not reveal a layer that could be confidently used 

in conjunction with the NLCD product to screen impervious pixels outside of urban zones because 

unincorporated urban areas were not being included thus leaving large chunks of urban pixels 

unaccounted for in this rule set. Secondly, experimentation with setting a threshold on the percent 

imperviousness layer that would isolate rural features proved to be unsuccessful. No combination of 

values could be identified that would result in the consistent ability to limit impervious pixels outside 

urban areas. Therefore, to ensure consistency in the monitoring estimates, it was determined to include 

all impervious pixels.

Fire Adjustments for the Sagebrush Base Layer

Two datasets were selected for performing fire updates: GeoMac fire perimeters and Monitoring Trends 

in Burn Severity (MTBS). An existing data standard in the BLM requires all fires with sizes greater than 

10 acres to be reported to GeoMac, therefore there will be many small fires less than 10 acres in size 

that will not be accounted for in the fire updates. In the update process using fire perimeters from 

GeoMac, all sagebrush pixels falling within the perimeter of fires less than 1,000 acres in size will be used 

to update the sagebrush layer.

MTBS was selected for use as a means to account for unburned sagebrush islands during the update 

process of the sagebrush base layer. The MTBS program (http://www.mtbs.gov) is an on-going multi-year 

project to consistently map fire severity and fire perimeters across the US. For lands in the western US, 

MTBS only maps burn severity for fires greater than 1,000 acres in size. One of the burn severity classes 

within MTBS is an unburned to low severity class. This burn severity class will be used to represent 

unburned islands of sagebrush within the fire perimeter that will be retained in the sagebrush base layer. 

Areas within the other severity classes within the fire perimeter will be removed from the base 

sagebrush layer during the update process. However, not all wildfires have the same impact on the 

recovery of sagebrush habitat depending largely on soil moisture and temperature regimes. For example, 

cooler, moister sagebrush habitat has a higher potential for recovery or, if needed restoration, than the 

warmer, dryer sagebrush habitat. These areas will likely be detected as sagebrush in future updates to 

LANDFIRE.

Conifer Encroachment adjustment for the Sagebrush Base Layer

Conifer encroachment into sagebrush vegetation reduces the spatial extent of greater sage-grouse 

habitat (Davies et al. 2011, Baruch-Mordo et al. 2013). Conifer species that show propensity for 

encroaching into sagebrush vegetation which results in sage-grouse habitat loss include various juniper 

species such as Utah juniper (Juniperus osteosperma), western juniper (Juniperus occidentalis), Rocky 

Mountain juniper (Juniperus scopulorum), pinyon species including singleleaf pinyon (Pinus monophylla) and 

pinyon pine (Pinus edulis), ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa), lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta), and Douglasfir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) (Gruell et al. 1986, Grove et al. 2005, Davies et al. 2011).

A rule set for conifer encroachment was developed to be used for determination of the existing 

sagebrush base layer. To capture the geographic extent of sagebrush that is likely to experience conifer 

encroachment, ecological systems within LANDFIRE EVT version 1.2 (NatureServe 2011) were 

identified if they have the capability of supporting the conifer species (listed above) and have the 

capability of supporting sagebrush vegetation. Those ecological systems (Table D-5, Ecological Systems 

with Conifers Most Likely to Encroach into Sagebrush Vegetation) were deemed to be the plant 
D. The Greater Sage-Grouse Draft Monitoring Framework

September 2015 North Dakota Greater Sage-Grouse Approved RMP Amendment D-13

communities with conifers most likely to encroach into sagebrush vegetation. Sagebrush vegetation was 

defined as including sagebrush species (Attachment B, List of All Sagebrush Species and Subspecies 

Included in the Selection Criteria for Building the EVT and BpS Layers) that provide habitat for the 

greater sage-grouse and are included in the Sage-Grouse Habitat Assessment Framework. An adjacency 

analysis was conducted to identify all sagebrush pixels that were directly adjacent to these conifer 

ecological systems and these immediately adjacent sagebrush pixels were removed from the sagebrush 

base layer. 

Table D-5

Ecological Systems with Conifers Most Likely to Encroach into Sagebrush Vegetation

EVT Ecological Systems

Coniferous Species and Sagebrush Vegetation 

that the Ecological System has the Capability to 

Produce

Colorado Plateau Pinyon-Juniper Woodland Pinus edulis

Juniperus osteosperma

Artemisia tridentata

Artemisia arbuscula

Artemisia nova

Artemisia tridentata ssp. tridentata

Artemisia tridentata ssp. wyomingensis

Artemisia tridentata ssp. vaseyana

Artemisia bigelovii

Artemisia pygmaea

Columbia Plateau Western Juniper Woodland and 

Savanna

Juniperus occidentalis

Pinus ponderosa

Artemisia tridentata

Artemisia arbuscula

Artemisia rigida

Artemisia tridentata ssp. vaseyana

East Cascades Oak-Ponderosa Pine Forest and 

Woodland

Pinus ponderosa

Pseudotsuga menziesii

Artemisia tridentata

Artemisia nova

Great Basin Pinyon-Juniper Woodland Pinus monophylla

Juniperus osteosperma

Artemisia arbuscula

Artemisia nova

Artemisia tridentata

Artemisia tridentata ssp. vaseyana

Northern Rocky Mountain Ponderosa Pine Woodland 

and Savanna

Pinus ponderosa

Artemisia tridentata

Artemisia arbuscula

Artemisia tridentata ssp. vaseyana

Rocky Mountain Foothill Limber Pine-Juniper Woodland Juniperus osteosperma

Juniperus scopulorum

Artemisia nova

Artemisia tridentata

Rocky Mountain Poor-Site Lodgepole Pine Forest Pinus contorta

Pseudotsuga menziesii

Pinus ponderosa

Artemisia tridentata
D. The Greater Sage-Grouse Draft Monitoring Framework

D-14 North Dakota Greater Sage-Grouse Approved RMP Amendment September 2015

Table D-5

Ecological Systems with Conifers Most Likely to Encroach into Sagebrush Vegetation

EVT Ecological Systems

Coniferous Species and Sagebrush Vegetation 

that the Ecological System has the Capability to 

Produce

Southern Rocky Mountain Pinyon-Juniper Woodland Pinus edulis

Juniperus monosperma

Artemisia bigelovii

Artemisia tridentata

Artemisia tridentata ssp. wyomingensis

Artemisia tridentata ssp.vaseyana

Southern Rocky Mountain Ponderosa Pine Woodland Pinus ponderosa

Pseudotsuga menziesii

Pinus edulis

Pinus contorta

Juniperus spp.

Artemisia nova

Artemisia tridentata

Artemisia arbuscula

Artemisia tridentata ssp. vaseyana

Invasive Annual Grasses Adjustments for the Sagebrush Base Layer

There are no invasive species datasets from 2010 to present (beyond the LANDFIRE data) that meet 

our 3 criteria (nationally consistent, known level of accuracy, and periodically updated) for use in the 

determination of the sagebrush base layer. For a description of how invasive species land cover will be 

incorporated in the sagebrush base layer in the future, see the Monitoring Sagebrush Availability

section below.

Sagebrush Restoration Adjustments for the Sagebrush Base Layer

There are no datasets from 2010 to present that could provide additions to the sagebrush base layer 

from restoration treatments that meet the three criteria (nationally consistent, known level of accuracy, 

and periodically updated) therefore, no adjustments were made to the sagebrush base layer calculated 

from the LANDFIRE EVT (Version 1.2) due to restoration activities since 2010. Successful restoration 

treatments prior to 2010 are assumed to have been captured in the LANDFIRE refresh.

Monitoring Sagebrush Availability

Updating the Sagebrush Availability Sagebrush Base Layer

Sagebrush availability will be updated annually by incorporating changes to the sagebrush base layer 

attributable to agriculture, urbanization, and wildfire. The monitoring schedule for the existing sagebrush 

base layer updates is as follows:

2010 Existing Sagebrush Base Layer = [Sagebrush EVT] minus [2006 Imperviousness Layer] 

minus [2009 and 2010 CDL] minus [2009/10 GeoMac Fires < 1,000 acres] minus [2009/10 

MTBS Fires excluding unburned sagebrush islands] minus [Conifer Encroachment Layer] 

2012 Existing Sagebrush Update = [Base 2010 Existing Sagebrush Layer] minus [2011 

Imperviousness Layer] minus [2011 and 2012 CDL] minus [2011/12 GeoMac Fires < 1,000 
D. The Greater Sage-Grouse Draft Monitoring Framework

September 2015 North Dakota Greater Sage-Grouse Approved RMP Amendment D-15

acres] minus [2011/12 MTBS Fires that are greater than 1,000 acres, excluding unburned 

sagebrush islands within the perimeter]

2013 and beyond Existing Sagebrush Updates = [Previous Existing Sagebrush Update Layer] 

minus [Imperviousness Layer (if new data are available)] minus [Next 2 years of CDL] minus 

[Next 2 years of GeoMac Fires < 1,000 acres] minus [Next 2 years MTBS Fires that are greater 

than 1,000 acres, excluding unburned sagebrush islands within the perimeter] plus 

[restoration/monitoring data provided by the field]

Sagebrush Restoration Updates

Restoration after fire, after agricultural conversion, after seedings of introduced grasses, or after 

treatments of pinyon pine and/or juniper, are examples of updates to the sagebrush base layer that can 

add sagebrush vegetation back in. When restoration has been determined to be successful through 

range wide, consistent, interagency fine and site-scale monitoring, the polygonal data will be used to add 

sagebrush pixels back into the broad and mid-scale sagebrush base layer.

Measure 1b – Context for the change in the amount of sagebrush in a landscape of interest

Measure 1b describes the amount of sagebrush on the landscape of interest compared with the amount 

of sagebrush the landscape of interest could ecologically support. Areas with the potential to support 

sagebrush were derived from the BpS data layer that describes sagebrush pre Euro-American settlement 

(biophysical setting (BpS) v1.2 of LANDFIRE). This measure (1b) will provide information during 

evaluations of monitoring data to set the context for a given geographic area of interest. The 

information could also be used to inform management options for restoration, mitigation and inform 

effectiveness monitoring.

The identification and spatial locations of natural plant communities (vegetation) that are believed to 

have existed on the landscape (BpS) were constructed based on an approximation of the historical (pre 

Euro-American settlement) disturbance regime and how the historical disturbance regime operated on 

the current biophysical environment. BpS is composed of map units which are based on NatureServe’s 

(2011) terrestrial ecological systems classification. 

The ecological systems within BpS used for this monitoring framework are those ecological systems that 

have the capability of supporting sagebrush vegetation and could provide seasonal habitat for the sagegrouse. These ecological systems are listed in Table D-4 with the exception of the Artemisia 

tridentata ssp. vaseyana Shrubland Alliance and the Quercus gambelii Shrubland Alliance. Ecological

systems selected included sagebrush species or subspecies that are included in the Sage-Grouse Habitat 

Assessment Framework and are found in Attachment B.

Attributable to the lack of any reference data, the BpS layer does not have an associated accuracy 

assessment. Visual inspection, however, of the BpS data reveals inconsistencies in the labeling of pixels 

among LANDFIRE map zones. The reason for these inconsistencies between map zones are the decision 

rules used to map a given ecological system will vary between map zones based on different physical, 

biological, disturbance and atmospheric regimes of the region. This can result in artificial edges in the 

map that are an artifact of the mapping process. However, metrics will be calculated at broad spatial 

scales using BpS potential vegetation type, not small groupings or individual pixels, therefore, the 

magnitude of these observable errors in the BpS layer is minor compared with the size of the reporting 
D. The Greater Sage-Grouse Draft Monitoring Framework

D-16 North Dakota Greater Sage-Grouse Approved RMP Amendment September 2015

units. Therefore, since BpS will be used to identify broad landscape patterns of dominant vegetation, 

these inconsistencies will only have a minor impact on the percent sagebrush availability calculation.

LANDFIRE BpS data are not designed to be used at a local level. In reporting the percent sagebrush statistic 

for the various reporting units, the uncertainty of the percent sagebrush will increase as the size of the 

reporting unit gets smaller. LANDFIRE data should never be used at the pixel level (30m2) for any 

reporting. The smallest geographic extent use of the data for this purpose is at the PAC level and for 

the smallest PACs the initial percent sagebrush remaining estimate will have greater uncertainties 

compared with the much larger PACs.

Tracking

BLM will analyze and monitor sagebrush availability (Measure 1) on a bi-annual basis and it will be used 

to inform effectiveness monitoring. The 2010 estimate of sagebrush availability will serve as the base 

year and an updated estimate for 2012 will be reported in 2014 after all datasets become available. The 

2012 estimate will capture changes attributable to fire, agriculture, and urban development. Subsequent 

updates will always include new fire and agricultural data and new urban data when available. Restoration 

data that meets criteria of adding sagebrush areas back into the sagebrush base layer will begin to be 

factored in as data allows. Attributable to data availability, there will be a two year lag (approximately) 

between when the estimate is generated and when the data used for the estimate becomes available 

(e.g., the 2014 sagebrush availability will be included in the 2016 estimate).

Future Plans

Geospatial data used to generate the sagebrush base layer will be available through BLM’s EGIS Web 

Portal and Geospatial Gateway or through the authoritative data source. Legacy datasets will be 

preserved, so that trends may be calculated. Additionally, accuracy assessment data for all source 

datasets will be provided on the portal either spatially, where applicable, or through the metadata. 

Accuracy assessment information was deemed vital to share to help users understand the limitation of 

the sagebrush estimates and will be summarized spatially by map zone and included in the Portal.

LANDFIRE plans to begin a remapping effort in 2015. This remapping has the potential to greatly 

improve overall quality of the data products primarily through the use of higher quality remote sensing 

datasets. Additionally, BLM and the Multi-Resolution Land Characteristics Consortium (MRLC) are 

working to improve the accuracy of vegetation map products for broad and mid-scale analyses through 

the Grass/Shrub mapping effort in partnership with the MRLC. The Grass/Shrub mapping effort applies 

the Wyoming multi-scale sagebrush habitat methodology (Homer et al. 2009) to spatially depict 

fractional percent cover estimates for five components range and west-wide. These five components are 

percent cover of sagebrush vegetation, percent bare ground, percent herbaceous vegetation (grass and 

forbs combined), annual vegetation, and percent shrubs. One of the benefits of the design of these 

fractional cover maps is that they facilitate monitoring “with-in” class variation (e.g., examination of 

declining trend in sagebrush cover for individual pixels). This “with-in” class variation can serve as one 

indicator of sagebrush quality that cannot be derived from LANDFIRE’s EVT information. The 

Grass/Shrub effort is not a substitute for fine scale monitoring, but will leverage fine scale data to 

support the validation of the mapping products. An evaluation will be conducted to determine if either 

dataset is of great enough quality to warrant replacing the existing sagebrush layers. The earliest possible 

date for this evaluation will not occur until 2018 or 2019 depending on data availability.
D. The Greater Sage-Grouse Draft Monitoring Framework

September 2015 North Dakota Greater Sage-Grouse Approved RMP Amendment D-17

D.2.2.2 Habitat Degradation Monitoring (Measure 2)

The measure of habitat degradation will be calculated by combining the footprints of threats identified in 

Table D-2. The footprint is defined as the direct area of influence of “active” energy and infrastructure 

and is used as a surrogate for human activity. Thus, the footprint of habitat degradation per sage-grouse 

area will be calculated. Although these analyses will try to summarize results at the aforementioned 

meaningful landscape units, some may be too small to appropriately report the metrics and may be 

combined (smaller populations, PACs within a population, etc.). Data sources for each threat are found 

in Table D-6, Geospatial Data Sources for Habitat Degradation (Measure 2). Specific assumptions 

(inclusion criteria for data, width/area assumptions for point and line features, etc.) and methodology for 

each threat, and the combined measure are detailed below. All datasets will be updated annually to 

monitor broad and mid-scale year-to-year. A 5-year summary report will be available to the USFWS.

Habitat Degradation Datasets and Assumptions:

Energy (oil and gas wells and development facilities)

This dataset will be a compilation of two oil and gas well databases: the proprietary IHS Enerdeq® 

database and the BLM Automated Fluid Minerals Support System (AFMSS) database (AFMSS data will be 

used to supplement the IHS data). Point data from wells active within the last ten years from IHS and 

producing wells from AFMSS will be considered as a 5 acre (2.0ha) footprint (BLM WO 2014) centered 

on the well point. Plugged and abandoned wells will be removed, though only if the date of well 

abandonment was prior to the first day of the reporting year (i.e. for the 2010 reporting year a well 

must be plugged and abandoned by 12/31/2009 to be removed).

Additional Measure: Reclaimed Energy-related Degradation 

This dataset will include those wells that have been plugged and abandoned in an effort to measure 

energy-related degradation that has been reclaimed but not necessary fully restored to sage-grouse 

habitat. This measure will establish a baseline by using wells that have been plugged and abandoned 

within the last ten years from the IHS and AFMSS datasets. Time lags for lek attendance in response to 

infrastructure have been documented to be delayed by 2-10 years from energy development activities 

(Harju et al. 2010), while reclamation actions may require two or more years from the Final 

Abandonment Notice. Sagebrush seedling establishment may take six or more years from the point of 

seeding, depending on variables such as annual precipitation, annual temperature, and soil type and depth 

(Pyke, 2011). This ten-year period is conservative, assuming some level of habitat improvement ten 

years after plugging. However, research by Hemstrom et al. (2002) proposes an even longer period of 

greater than 100 years for recovery of sagebrush habitats even with active restoration approaches. 

Direct area of influence will be considered 3 acres (1.2ha) (J. Perry, personal communication February 

12, 2014). This additional layer/measure could be used at the broad and mid-scale to identify areas 

where sagebrush habitat and/or potential sagebrush habitat is likely still degraded and where further 

investigation at the fine or site-scale would be warranted to: (1) quantify the level of reclamation already 

conducted, and (2) evaluate the amount of restoration still required (for sagebrush habitat recovery). At 

a particular level (e.g., population, PACs), these areas and the reclamation efforts/success could be used 

to inform reclamation standards associated with future developments. Once these areas have 

transitioned from reclamation standards to meeting restoration standards, they can be added back into 

the sagebrush availability layer using the same methodology as described for adding restoration 

treatment areas lost to fire and agriculture conversion (see Sagebrush Restoration Updates
D. The Greater Sage-Grouse Draft Monitoring Framework

D-18 North Dakota Greater Sage-Grouse Approved RMP Amendment September 2015

section). This dataset will be updated annually with new plugged and abandoned well from the IHS 

dataset.

Energy (coal mines)

Currently there is no comprehensive dataset available that identifies the footprint of active coal mining 

across all jurisdictions. Therefore, point and polygon datasets will be used each year to identify coal 

mining locations. Data sources will be identified and evaluated annually and will include at a minimum: 

BLM coal lease polygons, U.S. Energy Information Administration mine occurrence points, US Office of 

Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSMRE) coal mining permit polygons (as available), and 

USGS Mineral Resources Data System (MRDS) mine occurrence points. These data will inform where 

active coal mining may be occurring. Aerial imagery will then be used to manually digitize active coal 

mining surface disturbance in or near these known occurrence areas. While the date of aerial imagery 

varies by scale, the most current data available from ESRI and/or Google will be utilized to locate 

(generally at 1:50,000 and below) and digitize (generally at 1:10,000 and below) active coal mine 

footprints. Coal mine location data source and imagery date will be documented for each digitized coal 

footprint polygon at the time of creation. Sub-surface facility locations (polygon or point location as 

available) will also be collected, if available, and included in density calculations, and added to the active 

surface activity layer as appropriate (if actual footprint can be located).

Energy (wind energy facilities)

This dataset will be a subset of the Federal Aviation Administration Digital Obstacles point file to include 

points where “Type_” = “WINDMILL”. Direct area of influence of these point features will be measured 

by converting to a polygon dataset of three acres (1.2 ha) centered on each tower point (BLM Wind 

Energy Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement, 2005). Additionally, we will use Platts Power 

Plants and Generating Units database for transformer stations associated with wind energy sites.

Energy (solar energy facilities)

This dataset will include solar plants in existence or under construction as compiled with the 

proprietary Platts in the Power Plants and Generating Units database. The point data will be buffered to 

represent a three acre (1.2 ha) direct area of influence.

Energy (geothermal energy facilities)

This dataset will include geothermal plants in existence or under construction as compiled with the 

proprietary I.H.S and Platts (Power Plants and Generating Units) databases. The point data will be 

buffered to represent a three acre (1.2 ha) direct area of influence.

Mining (active developments; locatable, leasable, saleable)

This dataset will include active mining locations as compiled with the proprietary InfoMine® database. 

Other data sources will be evaluated as they are identified or become available. The point data will be 

buffered to represent a five acre (2.0 ha) direct area of influence, unless actual surface disturbance is 

available.

Infrastructure (roads)

This dataset will be compiled from the proprietary ESRI® StreetMap Premium for ArcGIS. Dataset 

features that will be used are: Interstates, Major Roads, and Surface Streets to capture most paved and 

“crowned and ditched” roads while not including “two-track” and 4-wheel-drive routes. These minor 

roads, while not included in our broad and mid-scale monitoring, may support a volume of traffic that 
D. The Greater Sage-Grouse Draft Monitoring Framework

September 2015 North Dakota Greater Sage-Grouse Approved RMP Amendment D-19

can have deleterious effects to sage-grouse leks. It may be appropriate to consider the frequency and 

type of use of roads in a NEPA analysis for a proposed project. This fine/project scale analysis will 

require more site-specific data than is identified in this monitoring framework. The direct influence area 

for roads will be represented by 240.2 ft., 84.0 ft., and 40.7 ft. (73.2 m, 25.6 m, and 12.4 m) total widths 

centered on the line feature for Interstates, Major Roads, and Surface Streets respectively (Knick et al. 

2011). The most current dataset will be used for each monitoring update. Note: this is a related but 

different dataset as was used in the Summary of Science, Activities, Programs, and Policies That Influence the 

Rangewide Conservation of Greater Sage-Grouse (Manier et al., 2013). Individual BLM planning units may utilize 

different roads layers for fine and site scale monitoring.

Infrastructure (railroads)

This dataset will be a compilation of Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) Rail Lines of the USA 

dataset. Non-abandoned rail lines will be used; abandoned rail lines will not be used. The direct influence 

area for railroads will be represented by a 30.8 ft. (9.4m) total width (Knick et al. 2011) centered on 

non-abandoned railroad line feature.

Infrastructure (power lines)

This line dataset will be a compilation from EV Energy Map, Platts/Global Energy of transmission lines, 

substations, electric power generation plants, and energy distribution control facilities. Linear features in 

the dataset attributed as “buried” will be removed from the disturbance calculation. Only “In Service” 

lines will be used, not “Proposed” lines. Direct area of influence will be determined by the kV 

designation: 1-199 kV (100 ft./30.5 m), 200-399 kV (150 ft./45.7 m), 500-699 kV (200 ft./61.0 m), and 

700-or greater kV (250 ft./76.2 m) based on average ROW and structure widths.

Infrastructure (communication towers)

This point dataset will be compiled from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) 

communication towers point file; all duplicate points will be removed. It will be converted to a polygon 

dataset by using a direct area of influence of 2.47 acres (1.0 ha) centered on each communication tower 

point (Knick et al. 2011).

Infrastructure (other vertical structures)

This point dataset will be compiled from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Digital Obstacles 

point file. Points where “Type_” = “WINDMILL” will be removed. Duplicate points from the FCC 

communication towers point file will be removed. Remaining features will be converted to a polygon 

dataset using a direct area of influence of 2.47 acres (1.0ha) centered on each vertical structure point 

(Knick et al. 2011).

Other developed rights-of-ways

Currently no additional data sources for other rights-of-ways have been identified; roads, power lines, 

railroads, pipelines, and other known linear features are represented in categories above. Our newly 

purchased IHS data does contain pipeline information, but further investigation is needed to determine if 

the dataset is comprehensive. If additional features representing human activities are identified, they will 

be added to monitoring reports using similar assumptions to the threats above.

Habitat Degradation Threat Combination and Calculation:

The threats targeted for measuring human activity from Table D-2, will be converted to direct area of 

influence polygons as described for each threat above. These threat polygon layers will be combined and 
D. The Greater Sage-Grouse Draft Monitoring Framework

D-20 North Dakota Greater Sage-Grouse Approved RMP Amendment September 2015

features dissolved to create one overall polygon layer representing footprints of active human activity in 

the range of sage-grouse. However, individual datasets will be preserved to ascertain which types of 

threats may be contributing to overall habitat degradation. Percentages will be calculated as follows:

This measure has been divided into three sub-measures to describe habitat degradation on the 

landscape:

Measure 2a) Footprint by landscape unit: Divide area of the active/direct footprint within a sagegrouse area by the total area of the sage-grouse area. (% disturbance in landscape unit)

Measure 2b) Active/direct footprint by historic sagebrush potential: Divide area of the active 

footprint that coincides with areas with historic sagebrush potential (BpS calculation from 

habitat availability) within a given landscape unit by the total area with sagebrush potential within 

the landscape unit. (% disturbance on potential historic sagebrush in landscape unit)

Measure 2c) Active/direct footprint by current sagebrush: Divide area of the active footprint 

that coincides with areas of existing sagebrush (EVT calculation from habitat availability) within a 

given landscape unit by the total area that is current sagebrush within the landscape unit. (% 

disturbance on current sagebrush in landscape unit)

D.2.2.3 Density of Energy and Mining (Measure 3)

The measure of density of energy and mining will be calculated by combining the locations of threats 

identified in Table D-2. This will provide an estimate of intensity of human activity or intensity of 

habitat degradation. The number energy facilities and mining locations will be summed and divided by 

the area of meaningful landscape units to calculate density of these activities. Data sources for each 

threat are found in Table D-6. Specific assumptions (inclusion criteria for data, width/area assumptions 

for point and line features, etc.) and methodology for each threat, and the combined measure are 

detailed below. All datasets will be updated annually to monitor broad and mid-scale year-to-year 

changes and 5-year (or longer) trends in habitat degradation.

Table D-6

Geospatial Data Sources for Habitat Degradation (Measure 2).

USFWS Listing Decision 

Threat Data Source Direct Area of Influence

Agriculture National Agriculture Statistics 

Service

Polygon Area

Urbanization USGS Percent Imperviousness Polygon Area

Wildfire Geospatial Multi-Agency 

Coordination Group; Monitoring 

Trends in Burn Severity

Polygon Area

Conifer encroachment LANDFIRE Polygon Area

Energy (oil and gas wells and 

development facilities)

IHS; BLM (AFMSS) 5 ac (2.0 ha)

Energy (reclaimed site degradation) IHS; BLM (AFMSS) 3 ac (1.2 ha)

Energy (coal mines) BLM & FS data; Office of Surface 

Mining Reclamation and 

Enforcement

Polygon Area

Energy (wind towers) Federal Aviation Administration 3 ac (1.2 ha)
D. The Greater Sage-Grouse Draft Monitoring Framework

September 2015 North Dakota Greater Sage-Grouse Approved RMP Amendment D-21

Table D-6

Geospatial Data Sources for Habitat Degradation (Measure 2).

USFWS Listing Decision 

Threat Data Source Direct Area of Influence

Energy (solar fields) Argonne National Laboratory Polygon Area

Energy (geothermal) Argonne National Laboratory Polygon Area or 5 ac (2.0 

ha)

Mining (active locatable, leasable, 

and salable developments)

InfoMine Polygon Area or 5 ac (2.0 

ha)

Infrastructure (roads) ESRI StreetMap Premium 40.7-240.2 ft. (12.4-73.2 m)

Infrastructure (railroads) Federal Railroad Administration 30.8 ft. (9.4 m)

Infrastructure (power lines) Platts Transmission Lines 100-250 ft. (30.5-76.2 m)

Infrastructure (communication 

towers)

Federal Communications 

Commission

2.5 ac (1.0 ha)

Infrastructure (other vertical 

structures)

Federal Aviation Administration 2.5 ac (1.0 ha)

Density of Energy and Mining Datasets and Assumptions:

Energy (oil and gas wells and development facilities)

[See Section D.2.2.2]

Energy (coal mines) 

[See Section D.2.2.2]

Energy (wind towers)

[See Section D.2.2.2]

Energy (solar energy facilities)

[See Section D.2.2.2]

Energy (geothermal energy facilities)

[See Section D.2.2.2]

Mining (active developments; locatable, leasable, saleable)

[See Section D.2.2.2]

Density of Energy and Mining Threat Combination and Calculation:

Datasets for energy and mining will be collected in two primary forms: point locations (e.g. wells) and 

polygon areas (e.g. surface coal mining). The following rule set will be used to calculate density for 

meaningful landscape units including standard grids and per polygon:

1. Point locations will be preserved; no additional points will be removed beyond the 

methodology described above. Energy facilities in close proximity (an oil well close to a wind 

tower) will be retained.
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D-22 North Dakota Greater Sage-Grouse Approved RMP Amendment September 2015

2. Polygons will not be merged, nor features further dissolved. Thus, overlapping facilities will 

be retained, such that each individual threat will be a separate polygon data input for the 

density calculation.

3. The analysis unit (polygon or 640 acre section in a grid) will be the basis for counting the 

number of mining or energy facilities per unit area. Within the analysis unit all point features 

will be summed, and any individual polygons will be counted as one (e.g.; a coal mine will be 

counted as one facility within population). Where polygon features overlap multiple units 

(polygons or pixels), the facility will be counted as one in each unit where the polygon 

occurs (e.g. a polygon crossing multiple 640 acre sections would be counted as one in each 

640 acre section for a density per 640 acre section calculation).

4. In methodologies with different sized units (e.g. MZs, populations, etc.) raw counts will be 

converted to densities by dividing by the total area of the unit. Typically this will be 

measured as facilities per 640 acres.

5. For uniform grids, raw facility counts will be reported. Typically this number will also be 

converted to facilities per 640 acres.

6. Reporting may include summaries beyond the simple ones above. Zonal statistics may be 

used to smooth smaller grids to help with display and conveying information about areas 

within meaningful landscape units that have high energy and/or mining activity.

7. Additional statistics for each defined unit may also include adjusting the area to only include 

area with the historic potential for sagebrush (BpS) or areas currently sagebrush (EVT).

Key habitat degradation individual datasets and threat combination datasets will be available through 

BLM’s EGIS Web Portal and Geospatial Gateway. Legacy datasets will be preserved, so that trends may 

be calculated.

D.2.3 Population (Demographics) Monitoring

State wildlife management agencies are responsible for monitoring sage-grouse populations within their 

respective states. WAFWA will coordinate this collection of annual population data by state agencies. 

These data will be made available to BLM through the Sage-grouse Implementation Memorandum of 

Understanding (2013) signed by WAFWA, BLM, NRCS, USGS, Farm Service Agency, and USFWS. An 

amendment to the MOU (2014) will outline a process, timeline, and responsibilities for regular data 

sharing of sage-grouse population and/or habitat information. The Landscape Conservation Management 

and Analysis Portal (LC MAP) will be used as the instrument for state wildlife agencies to annually 

submit population data and analyses that will be accessed by the BLM through a data sharing agreement. 

Population areas were refined from the Greater Sage-grouse Conservation Objectives: Final Report 

(COT) report by individual state wildlife agencies to create a consistent naming nomenclature for future 

data analyses. These population data will be used for analysis at the applicable scale to supplement 

habitat effectiveness monitoring of management actions.

D.2.4 Effectiveness Monitoring

Effectiveness monitoring will provide the information to evaluate BLM actions to reach the objective of 

the planning strategy (BLM IM 2012-044), to conserve sage-grouse populations and its habitat, and the 

objectives in this North Dakota Greater Sage-Grouse RMPA/EIS. Effectiveness monitoring methods 

described here will encompass multiple larger scales, from areas as large as the WAFWA MZ to the 
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September 2015 North Dakota Greater Sage-Grouse Approved RMP Amendment D-23

scale of this RMP. Effectiveness information used for these larger scale evaluations includes all-lands in 

the area of interest regardless of surface ownership/ management and will help inform where finer scale 

evaluations are needed such as population areas smaller than a RMP or PACs within a RMP (described in 

Section D.3). The information will also include the trend of disturbance within these areas of interest.

Effectiveness monitoring reported for these larger areas provides the context to then conduct 

effectiveness monitoring at finer scales and helps focus scarce resources to areas experiencing habitat 

loss, degradation, or population declines. These large area evaluations would not exclude the need for 

concurrent finer scale evaluations where habitat or population anomalies have been identified through 

some other means.

To determine the effectiveness of the sage-grouse planning strategy, the BLM will evaluate the answers 

to the following questions and prepare a broad and mid-scale effectiveness report:

1. Sagebrush Availability and Condition:

a. What is the amount of sagebrush availability and the change in the amount and 

condition of sagebrush? 

b. What is the existing amount of sagebrush on the landscape and the change in the 

amount relative to the pre Euro-American historical distribution of sagebrush (BpS)? 

c. What is the trend and condition of the indicators describing sagebrush 

characteristics important to sage-grouse? 

2. Habitat Degradation and Intensity of Activities: 

a. What is the amount of habitat degradation and the change in that amount? 

b. What is the intensity of activities and the change in the intensity? 

c. What is the amount of reclaimed energy-related degradation and the change in the 

amount? 

3. What is the population estimation of sage-grouse and the change in the population 

estimation? 

4. How is the BLM contributing to changes in the amount of sagebrush? 

5. How is the BLM contributing to disturbance? 

The compilation of broad and mid-scale data (and population trends as available) into an effectiveness 

monitoring report will occur on a 5-year reporting schedule, which may be accelerated to respond to 

critical emerging issues (in consultation with USFWS and state wildlife agencies). In addition, 

effectiveness monitoring results will be used to identify emerging issues and research needs.

To determine the effectiveness of the sage-grouse objectives of this North Dakota Greater Sage-Grouse 

RMPA/EIS, the BLM will evaluate the answers to the following questions and prepare a plan effectiveness 

report:

1. Is this plan meeting the sage-grouse habitat objectives?
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D-24 North Dakota Greater Sage-Grouse Approved RMP Amendment September 2015

2. Are sage-grouse areas within the land use plan meeting, or making progress towards 

meeting, land health standards, including the Special Status Species/ wildlife habitat standard?

3. Is the plan meeting the disturbance objective(s) within sage-grouse areas?

4. Are the sage-grouse populations within this plan boundary and within the sage-grouse areas 

increasing, stable, or declining?

The effectiveness monitoring report for this RMP will occur on a 5-year reporting schedule (see 

Attachment A) or more often if habitat or population anomalies identify the need to respond to 

critical emerging issues. Data will be made available through the BLM’s EGIS Web Portal and the 

Geospatial Gateway.

Methods: At the broad and mid- biological scales (PACs and above) the BLM will summarize the 

vegetation, disturbance, and population data (when available). Although the analysis will try to 

summarize results for PACs within each sage-grouse population, some populations may be too small to 

appropriately report the metrics and may need to be combined to provide an estimate with an 

acceptable level of accuracy or they will be flagged for more intensive monitoring by the appropriate 

landowner or agency. The BLM will then analyze monitoring data to detect the trend in the amount of 

sagebrush; the condition of the vegetation in the sage-grouse areas (MacKinnon et al. 2011); the trend in 

the amount of disturbance; the change in disturbed areas due to successful restoration; and the amount 

of new disturbance the BLM has permitted. This information could be supplemented with population 

data to understand the correlation between habitat and PACs within a population when population data 

are available. This overall effectiveness evaluation must consider the lag effect response of populations to 

habitat changes (Garton et al. 2011).

Calculating Question 1, Planning Strategy Effectiveness: The amount of sagebrush available in the large area 

of interest will utilize the information from Measure 1a (Section B1, Sagebrush Availability) and calculate 

the change from the 2012 Baseline to the end date of the reporting period. To calculate the change in 

the amount of sagebrush on the landscape to compare with the historical areas with potential to 

support sagebrush, the information from Measure 1b (Section D.2.2.1, Sagebrush Availability) will be 

utilized. To calculate the trend in the condition of sagebrush at the mid-scale, three sources of data will 

be utilized: the BLM Grass/ Shrub mapping effort (Section D.2.2.1, Future Plans); the results from the 

calculation of the landscape indicators such as patch size (described below); and the BLM Landscape 

Monitoring Framework (LMF) and sage-grouse intensification effort (also described below). The LMF and 

sage-grouse intensification effort data is collected in a statistical sampling framework that allows 

calculation of indicator values at multiple scales.

Beyond the importance of sagebrush availability to sage-grouse, the mix of sagebrush patches on the 

landscape at the broad and mid-scale provides the life requisite of space for sage-grouse dispersal needs 

(see the HAF). The configuration of sagebrush habitat patches and the land cover or land use between 

the habitat patches at the broad and mid-scales also defines suitability. There are three significant habitat 

indicators that influence habitat use, dispersal and movement across populations: the size and number of 

habitat patches, the connectivity of habitat patches (linkage areas), and habitat fragmentation (scope of 

unsuitable and non-habitats between habitat patches). The most appropriate commercial software to 

measure patch dynamics, connectivity, and fragmentation at the broad and mid-scales will be utilized 

using the same data layers derived for sagebrush availability.
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September 2015 North Dakota Greater Sage-Grouse Approved RMP Amendment D-25

The BLM initiated the LMF in 2011 in cooperation with NRCS. The objective of the LMF effort is to 

provide non-biased estimates of vegetation and soil condition and trend using a statistically balanced 

sample design across BLM lands. Recognizing that sage-grouse populations are more resilient where the 

sagebrush plant community has certain characteristics unique to a particular life stage of sage-grouse 

(Knick and Connelly 2011, Stiver et al. in press), a group of sage-grouse habitat and sagebrush plant 

community subject matter experts identified those vegetation indicators collected at LMF sampling 

points that inform sage-grouse habitat needs. The experts represented BLM, USFWS, WAFWA, NRCS, 

ARS, state wildlife agencies, and academia. The common indicators that were identified include: species 

composition, foliar cover, height of the tallest sagebrush and herbaceous plant, intercanopy gap, percent 

of invasive species, sagebrush shape, and bare ground. To increase the precision of estimates of 

sagebrush conditions within the range of sage-grouse, additional plot locations in occupied sage-grouse 

habitat (Sage-grouse Intensification) were added in 2013. The common indicators are also collected on 

sampling locations in the NRCS Rangeland Monitoring Survey.

The Sage-grouse Intensification baseline data will be collected over a five year period and an annual Sagegrouse Intensification report will be prepared describing the status of the indicators. Beginning in year 

six, the annual status report will be accompanied with a trend report which will be available on an 

annual basis thereafter contingent upon continuation of the current monitoring budget. This information, 

in combination with the Grass/ Shrub mapping information, the mid-scale habitat suitability indicator 

measures, and the sagebrush availability information will be used to answer Question 1 of the Planning 

Strategy Effectiveness Report.

Calculating Question 2, Planning Strategy Effectiveness: The amount of habitat degradation and the intensity 

of the activities in the area of interest will utilize the information from Measures 2 and 3 (Section 

D.2.2.2, Habitat Degradation). The amount of reclaimed energy-related degradation will be collected by 

the FO on plugged and abandoned and oil/gas well sites. The data will demonstrate that the reclaimed 

sites have yet to meet the habitat restoration objectives for sage-grouse habitat. This information, in 

combination with the amount of habitat degradation, will be used to answer Question 2 of the Planning 

Strategy Effectiveness Report.

Calculating Question 3, Planning Strategy Effectiveness: The change in sage-grouse estimated populations will 

be calculated from data provided by the state wildlife agencies, when available. This population data 

(Section C, Population Monitoring) will be used to answer Question 3 of the Planning Strategy 

Effectiveness Report.

Calculating Question 4, Planning Strategy Effectiveness: The estimated contribution by the BLM to the 

change in the amount of sagebrush in the area of interest will utilize the information from Measure 1a 

(Section D.2.2.1, Sagebrush Availability).This measure is derived from the national data sets that 

remove sagebrush (Table D-2). To determine the relative contribution of the BLM management, the 

current Surface Management Agency geospatial data layer will be used to differentiate the amount of 

change for each management agency for this measure in area of interest. This information will be used 

to answer Question 4 of the Planning Strategy Effectiveness Report.

Calculating Question 5, Planning Strategy Effectiveness: The estimated contribution by the BLM to the 

change in the amount of disturbance in the area of interest will utilize the information from Measure 2a 

(Section D.2.2.2, Habitat Degradation, Percent) and Measure 3 Section D.2.2.2, Habitat 

Degradation, Intensity). These measures are all derived from the national disturbance data sets that 
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D-26 North Dakota Greater Sage-Grouse Approved RMP Amendment September 2015

degrade habitat (Table D-2). To determine the relative contribution of the BLM management, the 

current Surface Management Agency geospatial data layer will be used to differentiate the amount of 

change for each management agency for these two measures in area of interests. This information will 

be used to answer Question 5 of the Planning Strategy Effectiveness Report.

Answering the five questions that determine the effectiveness of the BLM Planning Strategy will identify 

areas that appear to be meeting the objectives of the strategy and will facilitate identification of 

population areas for more detailed analysis. Conceptually, if the broad scale monitoring identifies 

increasing sagebrush availability and improving vegetation conditions, decreasing disturbance, and a 

stable or increasing population for the area of interest, there is evidence the objectives of the Planning 

Strategy to maintain populations and their habitats have been met. Conversely, where information 

indicates sagebrush is decreasing and vegetation conditions are degrading, disturbance in sage-grouse 

areas is increasing, and populations are declining relative to the baseline, there is evidence the objectives 

of the Planning Strategy are not being achieved. This would likely result in a more detailed analysis.

At the RMP area, the BLM will summarize the vegetation, disturbance, and population data to determine 

if the RMP is meeting the plan objectives. Effectiveness information used for these evaluations includes 

BLM surface management areas and will help inform where finer scale evaluations are needed such as 

seasonal habitats, corridors, or linkage areas. The information should also include the trend of 

disturbance within the sage-grouse.

Calculating Question 1, Land Use Plan Effectiveness: The condition of vegetation and the allotments meeting 

Land Health Standards in sage-grouse areas will both be used as part of the determination of the 

effectiveness of the RMP in meeting the vegetation objectives in sage-grouse habitat set forth in this 

RMP. The collection of this data will be the responsibility of the Field Office/Ranger District. In order for 

this data to be consistent and comparable, common indicators, consistent methods, and a nonbiased 

sampling framework should be implemented following the principles in the AIM Strategy (Toevs, et al, 

BLM TN 440 BLM Core Indicators and Methods), in the BLM Technical Reference Interpreting 

Indicators of Rangeland Health (Pellant et al. 2005), and the HAF (Stiver et al. in press) or other 

approved WAFWA MZ consistent guidance to measure and monitor sage-grouse habitats. The analysis 

of this information will be used to answer Question 1 of the Land Use Plan Effectiveness Report.

Calculating Question 2, Land Use Plan Effectiveness: The amount of habitat disturbance in sage-grouse areas 

identified in this RMP will be used as part of the determination of the effectiveness of the RMP in 

meeting the disturbance objectives set forth in this RMP. National data sets can be used to calculate the 

amount of disturbance, but Field Office data will likely increase the accuracy of this estimate. This 

information will be used to answer Question 2 of the Land Use Plan Effectiveness Report.

Calculating Question 3, Land Use Plan Effectiveness: The change in estimated sage-grouse populations will 

be calculated from data provided by the state wildlife agencies, when available and will part of the 

determination of effectiveness. This population data (Section D.2.3) will be used to answer Question 3 

of the Land Use Plan Effectiveness Report.

Results of the effectiveness monitoring process for the RMP will be used to inform the need for finer 

scales investigations, initiate causation determination, and/ or determine if changes to management 

decisions are warranted.
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September 2015 North Dakota Greater Sage-Grouse Approved RMP Amendment D-27

D.3 FINE AND SITE SCALES

Fine scale (third order) habitat selected by sage-grouse is described as the physical and geographic area 

within home ranges including breeding, summer, and winter periods. At this level, habitat suitability 

monitoring should address factors that affect sage-grouse use of, and movements between, seasonal use 

areas. The habitat monitoring at fine and site scale (fourth order) should focus on indicators to describe 

seasonal home ranges for sage-grouse associated with a lek, or lek group within a population or 

subpopulation area. Fine and site scale monitoring should inform RMP effectiveness monitoring (see 

Section D.2.4.

Site-scale habitat selected by sage-grouse is described as the more detailed vegetation characteristics of 

seasonal habitats. Habitat suitability characteristics include canopy cover and height of sagebrush and the 

associated understory vegetation as well as vegetation associated with riparian areas, wet meadows, and 

other mesic habitats adjacent to sagebrush that may support sage-grouse habitat needs during different 

stages in their annual cycle.

As described in the Conclusion (Section D.4), details and application of monitoring at the fine and site 

scales will be described in the implementation-level monitoring plan of the North Dakota Greater SageGrouse RMPA/EIS. The need for fine and site-scale specific habitat monitoring will vary by area 

depending on proposed projects, existing conditions, habitat variability, threats, and land health. 

Examples of fine and site-scale monitoring include: habitat vegetation monitoring to assess current 

habitat conditions; monitoring and evaluating the success of projects targeting sage-grouse habitat 

enhancement and/or restoration; and habitat disturbance monitoring to provide localized disturbance 

measures to inform proposed project review and potential mitigation for project impacts. Monitoring 

plans should incorporate the principles outlined in the BLM AIM Strategy (Toevs, et. al., 2011) and AIMMonitoring: A Component of the Assessment, Inventory, and Monitoring Strategy (Taylor, et.al., in 

press). Approved monitoring methods are:

 BLM Core Terrestrial Indicators and Methods, (MacKinnon, et. al, 2011) 

 BLM Technical Reference Interpreting Indicators of Rangeland Health (Pellant et al. 2005); 

and

 Sage-Grouse Habitat Assessment Framework. 

Other state-specific disturbance tracking models include: the BLM Wyoming Density and Disturbance 

Calculation Tool (http://ddct.wygisc.org/); and the BLM White River Data Management System 

(WRDMS) in development with the USGS. Population monitoring data (in cooperation with state 

wildlife agencies) should be included during evaluation of the effectiveness of actions taken at the fine 

and site scales.

Fine and site scale sage-grouse habitat suitability indicators for seasonal habitats are identified in the 

HAF. The HAF has incorporated the Connelly et al. (2000) sage-grouse guidelines as well as many of the 

core indicators in the assessment, inventory and monitoring (AIM) strategy (Toevs et al. 2011). There 

may be a need to develop adjustments to height and cover or other site suitability values described in 

the HAF and any such adjustments should be ecologically defensible. However, to foster consistency, 

adjustments to site suitability values at the local scale should be avoided unless there is strong, scientific 

justification for doing so and that justification should be provided. WAFWA MZ adjustments must be 

supported by regional plant productivity and habitat data for the floristic province. If adjustments are 
D. The Greater Sage-Grouse Draft Monitoring Framework

D-28 North Dakota Greater Sage-Grouse Approved RMP Amendment September 2015

made to the site scale indicators they must be made using data from the appropriate seasonal habitat 

designation (breeding/nesting, brood-rearing, winter) collected from sage-grouse studies found in the 

relevant area and peer reviewed by the appropriate wildlife management agency(s) and researchers.

When conducting land heath assessments, at a minimum, the BLM should follow Interpreting Indicators 

of Rangeland Health (Pellant, et. al., 2005) and the BLM Core Terrestrial Indicators and Methods, 

(MacKinnon, et. al, 2011). If the assessment is being conducted in sage-grouse areas, the BLM should 

collect additional data to inform the HAF indicators that have not been collected using the above 

methods. Implementation of the principles outlined in the AIM strategy will allow the data to be used to 

generate unbiased estimates of condition across the area of interest; facilitate consistent data collection 

and roll-up analysis among management units; will be useful to provide consistent data to inform the 

classification and interpretation of imagery; and will provide condition and trend of the indicators 

describing sagebrush characteristics important to sage-grouse habitat (see Section D.2.4).

D.4 CONCLUSION

This Greater Sage-grouse Monitoring Framework was developed for all of the Final Environmental 

Impact Statements involved in the sage-grouse planning effort. As such, it describes the monitoring 

activities at the broad and mid-scales and sets the stage for BLM to collaborate with partners/other 

agencies to develop the North Dakota Greater Sage-Grouse RMPA/EIS Monitoring Plan using this 

Greater Sage-grouse Monitoring Framework as a guide.

D.5 THE GREATER SAGE-GROUSE DISTURBANCE AND MONITORING SUB-TEAM 

MEMBERSHIP

Gordon Toevs (BLM -WO) 

Duane Dippon (BLM-WO) 

Frank Quamen (BLM-NOC) 

David Wood (BLM-NOC) 

Vicki Herren (BLM-NOC) 

Matt Bobo (BLM-NOC) 

Michael “Sherm” Karl (BLM-NOC) 

Emily Kachergis (BLM-NOC) 

Doug Havlina (BLM-NIFC) 

Mike Pellant (BLM-GBRI) 

John Carlson (BLM-MT) 

Jenny Morton (BLM -WY) 

Robin Sell (BLM-CO) 

Paul Makela (BLM-ID) 

Renee Chi (BLM-UT) 

Sandra Brewer (BLM-NV) 

Glenn Frederick (BLM-OR) 

Robert Skorkowsky (USFS) 

Dalinda Damm (USFS) 

Rob Mickelsen (USFS) 

Tim Love (USFS) 

Pam Bode (USFS)

Lief Wiechman (USFWS) 

Lara Juliusson (USFWS) 
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September 2015 North Dakota Greater Sage-Grouse Approved RMP Amendment D-29

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McCarthy, and M. A. Schroeder. 2006. Greater sage‐grouse comprehensive conservation 

strategy. Western Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies. Unpublished report. Cheyenne, 

Wyoming, USA. Internet website: http://www.wafwa.org/documents/pdf/GreaterSagegrouseConservationStrategy2006.pdf.

Stiver, S. J., E. T. Rinkes, D. E. Naugle, P. D. Makela, D. A. Nance, and J. W. Karl. 2014. Sage-grouse 

habitat assessment framework: multi-scale habitat assessment tool. Bureau of Land Management 

and Western Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies. Technical Reference in press. US 

Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management, Denver, Colorado.

Taylor, J., E. J. Kachergis, G. Toevs, J. Karl, M. Bobo, M. Karl, S. Miller, and C. Spurrier. In press. AIMMonitoring: A Component of the Assessment, Inventory, and Monitoring Strategy. US 

Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management, National Operations Center, Denver, 

Colorado.

Toevs, G. R., J. J. Taylor, C. S. Spurrier, W. C. MacKinnon, M. R. Bobo. 2011. Bureau of Land 

Management Assessment, Inventory, and Monitoring Strategy: for integrated renewable 

resources management. US Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management, National 

Operations Center, Denver, Colorado.

USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service Cropland Data Layer. {YEAR}. Published crop-specific data 

layer [Online]. Internet website: http://nassgeodata.gmu.edu/CropScape/ (accessed {DATE}; 

verified {DATE}). USDA-NASS, Washington, DC.

US Department of the Interior. 2004. Bureau of Land Management national sage-grouse habitat 

conservation strategy. US Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management, 

Washington, DC.

US Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management. 2011. BLM Memorandum of 

Understanding Washington Office 220-2011-02. BLM Washington Office, Washington DC.

US Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service. 2013. Greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus 

urophasianus) conservation objectives: final report. US Fish and Wildlife Service, Denver, 

Colorado.
D. The Greater Sage-Grouse Draft Monitoring Framework

D-32 North Dakota Greater Sage-Grouse Approved RMP Amendment September 2015

ATTACHMENT A – AN OVERVIEW OF MONITORING COMMITMENTS

Broad and Mid-scales

Fine & Site 

Scales Implementation

Sagebrush 

Availability

Habitat 

DegradationPopulation Effectiveness

How will 

the data 

be used?

Tracking and 

documenting 

implementation 

of RMP 

decisions

Tracking 

changes in 

land cover 

(sagebrush)

Tracking changes 

in disturbance 

(threats) to 

sage-grouse

Tracking trends 

in sage-grouse 

populations 

(and/or leks; as 

determined by 

state wildlife 

agencies)

Characterizing 

the relationship 

among 

disturbance, 

implementation 

actions, and 

sagebrush metrics

Measuring 

seasonal habitat, 

connectivity at 

the fine scale, and 

habitat conditions 

at the site scale, 

calculating 

disturbance

Who is 

collecting 

the data?

BLM FO NOC and 

NIFC

National data 

sets (NOC), 

BLM FOs as 

applicable

State wildlife 

agencies 

through 

WAFWA

Comes from 

other broad and 

mid-scale 

monitoring types, 

analyzed by the 

NOC

BLM FO and SO, 

(with partners) 

including 

disturbance

How often 

are the 

data 

collected, 

reported 

and made 

available to 

USFWS?

Collected and 

reported 

annually;

summary every 

5 years

Updated and 

changes 

reported 

annually; 

summary 

reports every 

5 years

Collected and 

changes 

reported 

annually; 

summary 

reports every 5 

years

State data 

reported 

annually per 

WAFWA 

MOU; summary 

reports every 5 

years

Collected and 

reported every 5 

years (coincident 

with RMP 

evaluations)

Collection and 

trend analysis 

ongoing, reported 

every 5 years

What is 

the spatial 

scale?

Summarized by 

RMP with 

flexibility for 

reporting by 

other units

Summarized 

by PACs (size 

dependent) 

with flexibility 

for reporting 

by other units

Summarized by 

PACs (size 

dependent) with 

flexibility for 

reporting by 

other units

Summarized by 

PACs (size 

dependent) 

with flexibility 

for reporting by 

other units

Summarized by 

MZ, and RMP 

with flexibility for 

reporting by 

other units (e.g., 

PAC)

Variable (e.g., 

projects and 

seasonal habitats)

What are 

the 

potential 

personnel 

and budget 

impacts?

Additional 

capacity or reprioritization of 

ongoing 

monitoring 

work and 

budget 

realignment

At a 

minimum, 

current skills 

and capacity 

must be 

maintained; 

data mgmt. 

cost are TBD

At a minimum, 

current skills 

and capacity 

must be 

maintained; data 

mgmt. and data 

layer purchase 

cost are TBD 

No additional 

personnel or 

budget impacts 

for BLM

Additional 

capacity or reprioritization of 

ongoing 

monitoring work 

and budget 

realignment

Additional 

capacity or reprioritization of 

ongoing 

monitoring work 

and budget 

realignment

Who has 

primary 

and 

secondary 

responsibilities for 

reporting?

BLM FO & SO

BLM Planning

NOC

WO

NOC

BLM SO & 

appropriate 

programs

WAFWA & 

state wildlife 

agencies

BLM SO, NOC

Broad and midscale at the 

NOC, RMP at 

BLM SO

BLM FO & SO

What new 

processes/ 

tools are 

needed?

National 

implementation data sets 

and analysis 

tools 

Updates to 

national land 

cover data 

Data standards 

and roll-up 

methods for 

these data

Standards in 

population 

monitoring 

(WAFWA)

Reporting 

methodologies

Data standards 

data storage; and 

reporting
D. The Greater Sage-Grouse Draft Monitoring Framework

September 2015 North Dakota Greater Sage-Grouse Approved RMP Amendment D-33

ATTACHMENT B - LIST OF ALL SAGEBRUSH SPECIES AND SUBSPECIES INCLUDED IN THE 

SELECTION CRITERIA FOR BUILDING THE EVT AND BPS LAYERS

 Artemisia arbuscula subspecies longicaulis

 Artemisia arbuscula subspecies longiloba

 Artemisia bigelovii

 Artemisia nova

 Artemisia papposa

 Artemisia pygmaea

 Artemisia rigida

 Artemisia spinescens

 Artemisia tripartita subspecies rupicola

 Artemisia tripartita subspecies tripartita

 Tanacetum nuttallii

 Artemisia cana subspecies bolanderi

 Artemisia cana subspecies cana

 Artemisia cana subspecies viscidula

 Artemisia tridentata subspecies wyomingensis

 Artemisia tridentata subspecies tridentata

 Artemisia tridentata subspecies vaseyana

 Artemisia tridentata subspecies spiciformis

 Artemisia tridentata subspecies xericensis

 Artemisia tridentata variety pauciflora

 Artemisia frigida

 Artemisia pedatifida 
D. The Greater Sage-Grouse Draft Monitoring Framework

D-34 North Dakota Greater Sage-Grouse Approved RMP Amendment September 2015

ATTACHMENT C – USER AND PRODUCER ACCURACIES FOR AGGREGATED ECOLOGICAL 

SYSTEMS WITHIN LANDFIRE MAP ZONES

LANDFIRE Map Zone Name User 

Accuracy

Producer 

Accuracy

% of Map Zone 

within Historic 

Schroeder

Wyoming Basin 76.9% 90.9% 98.5%

Snake River Plain 68.8% 85.2% 98.4%

Missouri River Plateau 57.7% 100.0% 91.3%

Grand Coulee Basin of the Columbia Plateau 80.0% 80.0% 89.3%

Wyoming Highlands 75.3% 85.9% 88.1%

Western Great Basin 69.3% 75.4% 72.9%

Blue Mountain Region of the Columbia Plateau 85.7% 88.7% 72.7%

Eastern Great Basin 62.7% 80.0% 62.8%

Northwestern Great Plains 76.5% 92.9% 46.3%

Northern Rocky Mountains 72.5% 89.2% 42.5%

Utah High Plateaus 81.8% 78.3% 41.5%

Colorado Plateau 65.3% 76.2% 28.8%

Middle Rocky Mountains 78.6% 73.3% 26.4%

Cascade Mountain Range 57.1% 88.9% 17.3%

Sierra Nevada Mountain Range 0.0% 0.0% 12.3%

Northwestern Rocky Mountains 66.7% 60.0% 7.3%

Southern Rocky Mountains 58.6% 56.7% 7.0%

Northern Cascades 75.0% 75.0% 2.6%

Mogollon Rim 66.7% 100.0% 1.7%

Death Valley Basin 0.0% 0.0% 1.2%

There are two anomalous map zones with 0% user and producer accuracies attributable to no available 

reference data for the ecological systems of interest.

Producer's accuracy is a reference-based accuracy that is computed by looking at the predictions 

produced for a class and determining the percentage of correct predictions. In other words, if I know 

that a particular area is sagebrush (I've been out on the ground to check), what is the probability that 

the digital map will correctly identify that pixel as sagebrush? Omission Error equates to excluding a 

pixel that should have been included in the class (i.e., omission error = 1 - producers accuracy).

User’s accuracy is a map-based accuracy that is computed by looking at the reference data for a class 

and determining the percentage of correct predictions for these samples. For example, if I select any 

sagebrush pixel on the classified map, what is the probability that I'll be standing in a sagebrush stand 

when I visit that pixel location in the field? Commission Error equates to including a pixel in a class 

when it should have been excluded (i.e., commission error = 1 – user’s accuracy).
Appendix E

Greater Sage-Grouse Disturbance Caps

September 2015 North Dakota Greater Sage-Grouse Approved RMP Amendment E-1

APPENDIX E

GREATER SAGE-GROUSE DISTURBANCE CAPS

In the US Fish and Wildlife Service’s (USFWS) 2010 listing decision for Greater Sage-Grouse (GRSG), 

the USFWS identified 18 threats contributing to the destruction, modification, or curtailment of GRSG’s 

habitat or range (75 FR 13910 2010). The 18 threats have been aggregated into three measures: 

 Sagebrush availability (percent of sagebrush per unit area)

 Habitat degradation (percent of human activity per unit area) 

 Density of energy and mining (facilities and locations per unit area)

Habitat degradation, and density of energy and mining will be evaluated under the disturbance cap and 

density cap respectively and are further described in this appendix. The three measures, in conjunction 

with other information, will be considered during the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) 

process for projects authorized or undertaken by the BLM. 

DISTURBANCE CAP

This resource management plan (RMP) amendment has incorporated a 3 percent anthropogenic 

disturbance cap within GRSG Priority Habitat Management Areas (PHMA) and the subsequent land use 

planning actions if the cap is met:

If the 3 percent anthropogenic disturbance cap is exceeded on lands (regardless of land ownership) 

within GRSG PHMA in any given Biologically Significant Unit (BSU), then no further discrete 

anthropogenic disturbances (subject to applicable laws and regulations, such as the 1872 hard rock 

mining law, valid existing rights, etc.) would be permitted by BLM within GRSG PHMA in any given (BSU) 

until the disturbance has been reduced to less than the cap.

If the 3 percent anthropogenic disturbance cap is exceeded on lands (regardless of land ownership) or if 

anthropogenic disturbance and habitat loss associated with conversion to agricultural tillage or fire 

exceed 5 percent within a project analysis area in PHMA, then no further discrete anthropogenic 

disturbances (subject to applicable laws and regulations, such as the 1872 Mining Law, valid existing 

rights, etc.) would be permitted by BLM within PHMA in a project analysis area until the disturbance has 

been reduced to less than the cap.
E. Greater Sage-Grouse Disturbance Caps

E-2 North Dakota Greater Sage-Grouse Approved RMP Amendment September 2015

The disturbance cap applies to the PHMA within both the BSU and at the project authorization scale. 

For the BSUs, west-wide habitat degradation (disturbance) data layers (Table E-1) will be used at a 

minimum to calculate the amount of disturbance and to determine if the disturbance cap has been 

exceeded as the RMPs are being implemented. Locally collected disturbance data will be used to 

determine if the disturbance cap has been exceeded for project authorizations, and may also be used to 

calculate the amount of disturbance in the BSUs. 

Although locatable mine sites are included in the degradation calculation, mining activities under the 

1872 mining law may not be subject to the 3 percent disturbance cap. Details about locatable mining 

activities will be fully disclosed and analyzed in the NEPA process to assess impacts to GRSG and their 

habitat as well as to BLM goals and objectives, and other BLM programs and activities.

Formulas for calculations of the amount of disturbance in the PHMA in a BSU and or in a proposed 

project area are as follows:

 For the BSUs: 

% Degradation Disturbance = (combined acres of the 12 degradation threats1) ÷ (acres 

of all lands within the PHMAs in a BSU) x 100. 

 For the Project Analysis Area: 

% Degradation Disturbance = (combined acres of the 12 degradation threats1 plus the 7 

site scale threats2 and acres of habitat loss1) ÷ (acres of all lands within the PHMA in the 

project analysis area) x 100. 

The denominator in the disturbance calculation formula consists of all acres of lands classified as PHMA 

within the analysis area (BSU or project area). Areas that are not GRSG seasonal habitats, or are not 

currently supporting sagebrush cover (e.g., due to wildfire), are not excluded from the acres of PHMA in 

the denominator of the formula. Information regarding GRSG seasonal habitats, sagebrush availability, 

and areas with the potential to support GRSG populations will be considered along with other local 

conditions that may affect GRSG during the analysis of the proposed project area. 

DENSITY CAP

This RMP amendment has also incorporated a cap on the density of energy and mining facilities at an 

average of one facility per 640 acres in the PHMA in a project authorization area. If the disturbance 

density in the PHMA in a proposed project area is on average less than one facility per 640 acres, the 

analysis will proceed through the NEPA process incorporating mitigation measures into an alternative. If 

the disturbance density is greater than an average of one facility per 640 acres, the proposed project will 

either be deferred until the density of energy and mining facilities is less than the cap or co-located it 

into existing disturbed area (subject to applicable laws and regulations, such as the 1872 Mining Law, 

valid existing rights, etc.). Facilities included in the density calculation (Table E-3) are:

 Energy (oil and gas wells and development facilities)

 Energy (coal mines)

 

1See Table E-1.

2See Table E-2.
E. Greater Sage-Grouse Disturbance Caps

September 2015 North Dakota Greater Sage-Grouse Approved RMP Amendment E-3

 Energy (wind towers)

 Energy (solar fields)

 Energy (geothermal)

 Mining (active locatable, leasable, and saleable developments)

Project Analysis Area Method for Permitting Surface Disturbance Activities:

 Determine potentially affected occupied leks by placing a four mile boundary around the 

proposed area of physical disturbance related to the project. All occupied leks located 

within the four mile project boundary and within PHMA will be considered affected by the 

project. 

 Next, place a four mile boundary around each of the affected occupied leks. 

 The PHMA within the four mile lek boundary and the four mile project boundary creates 

the project analysis area for each individual project. If there are no occupied leks within the 

four-mile project boundary, the project analysis area will be that portion of the four-mile 

project boundary within the PHMA. 

 Digitize all existing anthropogenic disturbances identified in Table E-1, the seven additional 

features that are considered threats to GRSG (Table E-2), and areas of sagebrush loss. 

Using one meter resolution NAIP imagery is recommended. Use existing local data if 

available. 

 Calculate percent existing disturbance using the formula above. If existing disturbance is less 

than 3 percent anthropogenic disturbance or 5 percent total disturbance, proceed to next 

step. If existing disturbance is greater than 3 percent anthropogenic disturbance or 5 

percent total disturbance, defer the project.

 Add proposed project disturbance footprint area and recalculate the percent disturbance. If 

disturbance is less than 3 percent anthropogenic disturbance or 5 percent total disturbance, 

proceed to next step. If disturbance is greater than 3 percent anthropogenic disturbance or 

5 percent total disturbance, defer project.

 Calculate the disturbance density of energy and mining facilities (listed above). If the 

disturbance density is less than one facility per 640 acres, averaged across project analysis

area, proceed to the NEPA analysis incorporating mitigation measures into an alternative. If 

the disturbance density is greater than one facility per 640 acres, averaged across the 

project analysis area, either defer the proposed project or co-locate it into existing 

disturbed area.

 If a project that would exceed the degradation cap or density cap cannot be deferred due to 

valid existing rights or other existing laws and regulations, fully disclose the local and 

regional impacts of the proposed action in the associated NEPA.
E. Greater Sage-Grouse Disturbance Caps

E-4 North Dakota Greater Sage-Grouse Approved RMP Amendment September 2015

Table E-1

Anthropogenic Disturbance Types for Disturbance Calculations

Data Sources are Described for the West-Wide Habitat Degradation Estimates

Degradation Type Subcategory Data Source Direct Area 

of Influence 

Area 

Source

Energy (oil & gas) Wells IHS; BLM (AFMSS) 5.0ac (2.0ha) BLM WO300

Power Plants Platts (power plants) 5.0ac (2.0ha) BLM WO300

Energy (coal) Mines BLM; USFS; Office of Surface 

Mining Reclamation and 

Enforcement; USGS Mineral 

Resources Data System

Polygon area 

(digitized)

Esri/Google 

Imagery

Power Plants Platts (power plants) Polygon area 

(digitized)

Esri Imagery

Energy (wind) Wind Turbines Federal Aviation 

Administration

3.0ac (1.2ha) BLM WO300

Power Plants Platts (power plants) 3.0ac (1.2ha) BLM WO300

Energy (solar) Fields/Power 

Plants

Platts (power plants) 7.3ac 

(3.0ha)/MW 

NREL

Energy 

(geothermal)

Wells IHS 3.0ac (1.2ha) BLM WO300

Power Plants Platts (power plants) Polygon area 

(digitized)

Esri Imagery

Mining Locatable 

Developments

InfoMine Polygon area 

(digitized)

Esri Imagery

Infrastructure 

(roads)

Surface Streets 

(Minor Roads)

Esri StreetMap Premium 40.7ft (12.4m) USGS

Major Roads Esri StreetMap Premium 84.0ft (25.6m) USGS

Interstate

Highways

Esri StreetMap Premium 240.2ft 

(73.2m) 

USGS

Infrastructure 

(railroads)

Active Lines Federal Railroad 

Administration

30.8ft (9.4m) USGS

Infrastructure 

(power lines)

1-199kV Lines Platts (transmission lines) 100ft (30.5m) BLM WO300

200-399 kV 

Lines

Platts (transmission lines) 150ft (45.7m) BLM WO300

400-699kV Lines Platts (transmission lines) 200ft (61.0m) BLM WO300

700+kV Lines Platts (transmission lines) 250ft (76.2m) BLM WO300

Infrastructure 

(communication) 

Towers Federal Communications 

Commission

2.5ac (1.0ha) BLM WO300
E. Greater Sage-Grouse Disturbance Caps

September 2015 North Dakota Greater Sage-Grouse Approved RMP Amendment E-5

Table E-2

The Seven Site Scale Features Considered Threats to Sage-Grouse Included in the 

Disturbance Calculation for Project Authorizations

1. Coalbed Methane Ponds

2. Meteorological Towers

3. Nuclear Energy Facilities

4. Airport Facilities and Infrastructure

5. Military Range Facilities & Infrastructure

6. Hydroelectric Plants

7. Recreation Areas Facilities and Infrastructure

Definitions:

1. Coalbed Methane and other Energy-related Retention Ponds – The footprint boundary will 

follow the fenceline and includes the area within the fenceline surrounding the impoundment. If the 

pond is not fenced, the impoundment itself is the footprint. Other infrastructure associated with the 

containment ponds (roads, well pads, etc.) will be captured in other disturbance categories.

2. Meteorological Towers – This feature includes long-term weather monitoring and temporary 

meteorological towers associated with short-term wind testing. The footprint boundary includes the 

area underneath the guy wires.

3. Nuclear Energy Facilities – The footprint boundary includes visible facilities (fence, road, etc.) 

and undisturbed areas within the facility’s perimeter.

4. Airport Facilities and Infrastructure (public and private) – The footprint boundary will 

follow the boundary of the airport or heliport and includes mowed areas, parking lots, hangers, 

taxiways, driveways, terminals, maintenance facilities, beacons and related features. Indicators of the 

boundary, such as distinct land cover changes, fences and perimeter roads, will be used to 

encompass the entire airport or heliport.

5. Military Range Facilities & Infrastructure – The footprint boundary will follow the outer edge 

of the disturbed areas around buildings and includes undisturbed areas within the facility’s perimeter.

6. Hydroelectric Plants – The footprint boundary includes visible facilities (fence, road, etc.) and 

undisturbed areas within the facility’s perimeter.

7. Recreation Areas & Facilities – This feature includes all sites/facilities larger than 0.25 acres in 

size. The footprint boundary will include any undisturbed areas within the site/facility.
E. Greater Sage-Grouse Disturbance Caps

E-6 North Dakota Greater Sage-Grouse Approved RMP Amendment September 2015

Table E-3

Relationship Between the 18 Threats and the Three Habitat Disturbance Measures for 

Monitoring and Disturbance Calculations

USFWS Listing Decision Threat Sagebrush 

Availability

Habitat 

Degradation

Energy and 

Mining 

Density

Agriculture X

Urbanization X

Wildfire X

Conifer encroachment X

Treatments X

Invasive Species X

Energy (oil and gas wells and development 

facilities)

X X

Energy (coal mines) X X

Energy (wind towers) X X

Energy (solar fields) X X

Energy (geothermal) X X

Mining (active locatable, leasable, and saleable 

developments)

X X

Infrastructure (roads) X

Infrastructure (railroads) X

Infrastructure (power lines) X

Infrastructure (communication towers) X

Infrastructure (other vertical structures) X

Other developed rights-of-way X
Appendix F

Regional Mitigation Strategy

September 2015 North Dakota Greater Sage-Grouse Approved RMP Amendment F-1

APPENDIX F

REGIONAL MITIGATION STRATEGY

GENERAL

In undertaking US Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management (BLM) management actions, 

and, consistent with valid existing rights and applicable law, in authorizing third party actions that result 

in habitat loss and degradation, the BLM will require and ensure mitigation that provides a net 

conservation gain to the species including accounting for any uncertainty associated with the 

effectiveness of such mitigation. This will be achieved by avoiding, minimizing, and compensating for 

impacts by applying beneficial mitigation actions. “Actions which result in habitat loss and degradation” 

include those identified as threats which contribute to Greater Sage-Grouse (GRSG) disturbance as 

identified by the US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) in its 2010 listing decision (75 FR 13910) and 

shown in Table D-2 in the Monitoring Framework (Appendix D of the North Dakota Greater SageGrouse Approved Resource Management Plan Amendment). Mitigation will follow the regulations from 

the White House Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) (40 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), Part 

1508.20; e.g. avoid, minimize, and compensate), hereafter referred to as the mitigation hierarchy. If 

impacts from BLM management actions and authorized third party actions that result in habitat loss and 

degradation remain after applying avoidance and minimization measures (i.e. residual impacts), then 

compensatory mitigation projects will be used to provide a net conservation gain to the species. Any 

compensatory mitigation will be durable, timely, and in addition to that which would have resulted 

without the compensatory mitigation (see Glossary Terms).

The BLM, via the Western Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (WAFWA) Management Zone 

Greater Sage-Grouse Conservation Team, will develop a WAFWA Management Zone Regional 

Mitigation Strategy that will inform the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) decision making 

process including the application of the mitigation hierarchy for BLM management actions and third 

party actions that result in habitat loss and degradation. A robust and transparent Regional Mitigation 

Strategy will contribute to GRSG habitat conservation by reducing, eliminating, or minimizing threats 

and compensating for residual impacts to GRSG and its habitat.

The BLM’s Regional Mitigation Manual MS-1794 serves as a framework for developing and implementing 

a Regional Mitigation Strategy. The following sections provide additional guidance specific to the 

development and implementation of a WAFWA Management Zone Regional Mitigation Strategy.
F. Regional Mitigation Strategy

F-2 North Dakota Greater Sage-Grouse Approved RMP Amendment September 2015

DEVELOPING A REGIONAL MITIGATION STRATEGY

The BLM, via the WAFWA Management Zone Greater Sage-Grouse Conservation Team, will develop a 

WAFWA Management Zone Regional Mitigation Strategy to guide the application of the mitigation 

hierarchy for BLM management actions and third party actions that result in habitat loss and 

degradation. The Strategy should consider any State-level GRSG mitigation guidance that is consistent 

with the requirements identified in this Appendix. The Regional Mitigation Strategy should be developed 

in a transparent manner, based on the best science available and standardized metrics.

As described in Chapter 2 of the North Dakota Greater Sage-Grouse Proposed Resource Management 

Plan Amendment/Final Environmental Impact Statement, the BLM will establish a WAFWA Management 

Zone Greater Sage-Grouse Conservation Team (hereafter, Team) to help guide the conservation of 

GRSG, within 90 days of the issuance of the Record of Decision (ROD). The Strategy will be developed 

within one year of the issuance of the ROD.

The Regional Mitigation Strategy should include mitigation guidance on avoidance, minimization, and 

compensation, as follows:

Avoidance

 Include avoidance areas (e.g. right-of-way avoidance/exclusion areas, no surface occupancy 

areas) already included in laws, regulations, policies, and/or land use plans (e.g. Resource 

Management Plans, State Plans); and

 Include any potential, additional avoidance actions (e.g. additional avoidance best 

management practices [BMPs]) with regard to GRSG conservation. 

Minimization

 Include minimization actions (e.g. required design features [RDFs], BMPs) already included in 

laws, regulations, policies, land use plans, and/or land-use authorizations; and

 Include any potential, additional minimization actions (e.g. additional minimization BMPs) 

with regard to GRSG conservation.

Compensation

 Include discussion of impact/project valuation, compensatory mitigation options, siting, 

compensatory project types and costs, monitoring, reporting, and program administration. 

Each of these topics is discussed in more detail below.

– Residual Impact and Compensatory Mitigation Project Valuation Guidance

 A common standardized method should be identified for estimating the 

value of the residual impacts and value of the compensatory mitigation 

projects, including accounting for any uncertainty associated with the 

effectiveness of the projects. 

 This method should consider the quality of habitat, scarcity of the habitat, 

and the size of the impact/project.

 For compensatory mitigation projects, consideration of durability (see 

Glossary Terms), timeliness (see Glossary Terms), and the potential for 
F. Regional Mitigation Strategy

September 2015 North Dakota Greater Sage-Grouse Approved RMP Amendment F-3

failure (e.g. uncertainty associated with effectiveness) may require an 

upward adjustment of the valuation.

 The resultant compensatory mitigation project will, after application of the 

above guidance, result in proactive conservation measures for GRSG 

(consistent with BLM Manual 6840 – Special Status Species Management, 

section .02).

– Compensatory Mitigation Options

 Options for implementing compensatory mitigation should be identified, 

such as:

o Utilizing certified mitigation/conservation bank or credit exchanges.

o Contributing to an existing mitigation/conservation fund.

o Authorized-user conducted mitigation projects.

 For any compensatory mitigation project, the investment must be additional 

(i.e. additionality: the conservation benefits of compensatory mitigation are 

demonstrably new and would not have resulted without the compensatory 

mitigation project).

– Compensatory Mitigation Siting

 Sites should be in areas that have the potential to yield a net conservation 

gain to the GRSG, regardless of land ownership.

 Sites should be durable (see Glossary Terms).

 Sites identified by existing plans and strategies (e.g. fire restoration plans, 

invasive species strategies, healthy land focal areas) should be considered, if 

those sites have the potential to yield a net conservation gain to GRSG and 

are durable.

– Compensatory Mitigation Project Types and Costs

 Project types should be identified that help reduce threats to GRSG (e.g. 

protection, conservation, and restoration projects).

 Each project type should have a goal and measurable objectives.

 Each project type should have associated monitoring and maintenance 

requirements, for the duration of the impact.

 To inform contributions to a mitigation/conservation fund, expected costs 

for these project types (and their monitoring and maintenance), within the 

WAFWA Management Zone, should be identified.

– Compensatory Mitigation Compliance and Monitoring

 Mitigation projects should be inspected to ensure they are implemented as 

designed, and if not, there should be methods to enforce compliance.
F. Regional Mitigation Strategy

F-4 North Dakota Greater Sage-Grouse Approved RMP Amendment September 2015

 Mitigation projects should be monitored to ensure that the goals and 

objectives are met and that the benefits are effective for the duration of the 

impact.

– Compensatory Mitigation Reporting

 Standardized, transparent, scalable, and scientifically-defensible reporting 

requirements should be identified for mitigation projects.

 Reports should be compiled, summarized, and reviewed in the WAFWA 

Management Zone in order to determine if GRSG conservation has been 

achieved.

– Compensatory Mitigation Program Implementation Guidelines

 Guidelines for implementing the State-level compensatory mitigation 

program should include holding and applying compensatory mitigation funds, 

operating a transparent and credible accounting system, certifying mitigation 

credits, and managing reporting requirements.

INCORPORATING THE REGIONAL MITIGATION STRATEGY INTO SUBSEQUENT 

IMPLEMENTATION LEVEL LAND USE AUTHORIZATION ANALYSES

The BLM will include the avoidance, minimization, and compensatory recommendations from the 

Regional Mitigation Strategy in one or more of the NEPA analysis’ alternatives for BLM management 

actions and third party actions that result in habitat loss and degradation and the appropriate mitigation 

actions will be carried forward into the decision.

IMPLEMENTING A COMPENSATORY MITIGATION PROGRAM

The BLM need to ensure that compensatory mitigation is strategically implemented to provide a net 

conservation gain to the species, as identified in the Regional Mitigation Strategy. In order to align with 

existing compensatory mitigation efforts, this compensatory mitigation program will be managed at a 

State-level (as opposed to a WAFWA Management Zone or a Field Office), in collaboration with our 

partners (e.g. Federal, Tribal, and State agencies).

To ensure transparent and effective management of the compensatory mitigation funds, the BLM will 

enter into a contract or agreement with a third-party to help manage the State-level compensatory 

mitigation funds, within one year of the issuance of the ROD. The selection of the third-party 

compensatory mitigation administrator will conform to all relevant laws, regulations, and policies. The 

BLM will remain responsible for making decisions that affect Federal lands.

GLOSSARY TERMS

Additionality: The conservation benefits of compensatory mitigation are demonstrably new and would 

not have resulted without the compensatory mitigation project. (adopted and modified from BLM 

Manual Section 1794).

Avoidance mitigation: Avoiding the impact altogether by not taking a certain action or parts of an 

action. (40 CFR, Part 1508.20(a)) (e.g., may also include avoiding the impact by moving the proposed 

action to a different time or location.)
F. Regional Mitigation Strategy

September 2015 North Dakota Greater Sage-Grouse Approved RMP Amendment F-5

Compensatory mitigation: Compensating for the (residual) impact by replacing or providing 

substitute resources or environments. (40 CFR, Part 1508.20)

Compensatory mitigation projects: The restoration, creation, enhancement, and/or preservation of 

impacted resources (adopted and modified from 33 CFR, Part 332), such as on-the-ground actions to 

improve and/or protect habitats (e.g. chemical vegetation treatments, land acquisitions, conservation 

easements). (adopted and modified from BLM Manual Section 1794).

Compensatory mitigation sites: The durable areas where compensatory mitigation projects will 

occur. (adopted and modified from BLM Manual Section 1794).

Durability (protective and ecological): The maintenance of the effectiveness of a mitigation site and 

project for the duration of the associated impacts, which includes resource, administrative/legal, and 

financial considerations. (adopted and modified from BLM Manual Section 1794).

Minimization mitigation: Minimizing impacts by limiting the degree or magnitude of the action and its 

implementation. (40 CFR, Part 1508.20 (b))

Residual impacts: Impacts that remain after applying avoidance and minimization mitigation; also 

referred to as unavoidable impacts.

Timeliness: The lack of a time lag between impacts and the achievement of compensatory mitigation 

goals and objectives (BLM Manual Section 1794).
F. Regional Mitigation Strategy

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Appendix G

Oil and Gas Stipulations

September 2015 North Dakota Greater Sage-Grouse Approved RMP Amendment G-1

APPENDIX G

OIL AND GAS STIPULATIONS

GHMA

Stipulation: CSU. All identified GRSG habitat within GHMA is subject to the following operating 

constraints:

Maintain GRSG habitat to promote movement and genetic diversity of GRSG populations.

To minimize the impacts of surface disturbing/disruptive activities and insure maintenance of habitat for 

sustainable populations of GRSG within GHMA, surface disturbing and disruptive activities are subject to 

the following requirements.

a) Surface disturbing/disruptive activities will prevent or minimize disturbance to GRSG or 

their habitat. Except as identified above or during emergency situations, activities will not 

compromise the functionality of the habitat.

b) Continuous noise (related to long-term operations and/or activities) would be no greater 

than 49 decibels at 1/4 mile from the perimeter of the lek.

c) Temporary noise (related to installation, maintenance, one-time use, emergency operations, 

etc.) exceeding 49 decibels at 1/4 mile from the perimeter of a lek or surface 

disturbing/disruptive activities may be allowed, but only from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. between 

March 15 and May 15.

d) Manage water developments to reduce the spread of West Nile virus within GRSG habitat 

areas.

e) Site and/or minimize linear ROW to reduce disturbance to sagebrush habitats.

f) Maximize placement of new utility developments (power lines, pipelines, etc.) and 

transportation routes in existing utility or transportation corridors.

g) Power lines would be buried, eliminated, designed or sited in a manner which does not 

impact GRSG. 
G. Oil and Gas Stipulations

G-2 North Dakota Greater Sage-Grouse Approved RMP Amendment September 2015

h) Placement of other high profile structures, exceeding 10 feet in height, would be eliminated, 

designed or sited in a manner which does not impact GRSG.

i) Remote monitoring of production facilities must be utilized and all permit applications must 

contain a plan to reduce the frequency of vehicle use.

j) Maximize the area of interim reclamation on long-term access roads and well pads including 

reshaping, topsoiling and revegetating cut and fill slopes.

k) Restore disturbed areas at final reclamation to pre-disturbance conditions or desired plant 

community.

l) Permanent (longer than two months) structures which create movement must be designed 

or sited to minimize impacts to GRSG.

m) Consider use of off-site mitigation, (e.g., creation of sagebrush habitat, purchase

conservation easements, or buying down grazing) with proponent dollars to offset habitat 

losses.

n) Consider creation of a “Mitigation Trust Account” when impacts cannot be avoided, 

minimized, or effectively mitigated through other means. If approved by the BLM, the 

proponent may contribute funding to maintain habitat function based on the estimated cost 

of habitat treatments or other mitigation needed to maintain the functions of impacted 

habitats. Off-site mitigation should only be considered when no feasible options are available 

to adequately mitigate within and immediately adjacent to the impacted site, or when the 

off-site location would provide more effective mitigation of the impact than can be achieved 

on-site.

Objective: Within GHMA, maintain integrity of the habitat, to support sustainable GRSG populations.

Exception: The authorized officer may grant an exception to specific requirements of this stipulation if 

the action, as proposed or conditioned would not compromise the functionality of the habitat for GRSG 

and meet the goals for GRSG habitat.

Modification: The authorized officer may modify the area subject to the stipulation if an environmental 

analysis finds a portion of GHMA is nonessential or no longer GRSG habitat.

Waiver: The authorized office may waive this stipulation if no protion of the leasehold is within 2 miles 

of the perimeter of an active lek.

PHMA

Stipulation: Surface occupancy and use is prohibited (NSO) within GRSG PHMA. 

Objective: To protect the integrity of the habitat to maintain or improve GRSG populations.

Exception: The BLM Authorized Officer may grant an exception to a fluid mineral lease no-surfaceoccupancy stipulation only where the proposed action:

i. Will not have direct, indirect, or cumulative effects on GRSG or its habitat; or,
G. Oil and Gas Stipulations

September 2015 North Dakota Greater Sage-Grouse Approved RMP Amendment G-3

ii. Is proposed to be undertaken as an alternative to a similar action occurring on a nearby 

parcel, and will provide a clear conservation gain to GRSG. 

Exceptions based on conservation gain (ii) may only be considered in (a) PHMA of mixed ownership 

where federal minerals underlie less than fifty percent of the total surface, or (b) areas of the public 

lands where the proposed exception is an alternative to an action occurring on a nearby parcel subject 

to a valid Federal fluid mineral lease existing as of the date of this RMPA. Exceptions based on 

conservation gain must also include measures, such as enforceable institutional controls and buffers, 

sufficient to allow the BLM to conclude that such benefits will endure for the duration of the proposed 

action’s impacts.

Any exceptions to this lease stipulation may be approved by the BLM Authorized Officer only with the 

concurrence of the State Director. The BLM Authorized Officer may not grant an exception unless the 

applicable state wildlife agency, the USFWS, and the BLM unanimously find that the proposed action 

satisfies (i) or (ii). Such finding shall initially be made by a team of one field biologist or other GRSG 

expert from each respective agency. In the event the initial finding is not unanimous, the finding may be 

elevated to the appropriate BLM State Director, USFWS State Ecological Services Director, and state 

wildlife agency head for final resolution. In the event their finding is not unanimous, the exception will 

not be granted. Approved exceptions will be made publically available at least quarterly.
G. Oil and Gas Stipulations

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Appendix H

GRSG Wildfire and Invasive Species Habitat 

Assessment

September 2015 North Dakota Greater Sage-Grouse Approved RMP Amendment H-1

APPENDIX H

GRSG WILDFIRE AND INVASIVE SPECIES 

HABITAT ASSESSMENT

The following process is a suggestion for a consistent approach in conducting an assessment of the 

Greater Sage-Grouse (GRSG) habitat and wildfire threat at the local planning area level. Variations to 

this approach may be made based on interdisciplinary team discussion or unique issues in a given 

planning area. This example format is intended to portray the degree of specificity required for offices 

which will complete these assessments. Note that this process has similarities to watershed analysis and 

ecoregional assessments, and as such these documents may prove useful where they exist.

INTRODUCTION

Greater Sage-Grouse Wildfire and Invasive Species Habitat Assessments (hereafter referred to as 

“stepdown assessments”) are interdisciplinary evaluations of the threats posed by wildfire and invasive 

species, as well as identification of priority areas/treatment opportunities for fuels management, fire 

management, and restoration. Priority areas are spatial delineations where treatments, management 

actions, or other emphasis should be placed due to factors such as habitat quality, threats, or 

opportunities to conserve, enhance, and restore GRSG habitat. The stepdown assessments will serve as 

a bridge between resource management plans (RMPs) and project level planning, and will position 

planning efforts to conduct project-scale National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) following RMP 

Records of Decision (RODs).

The stepdown assessment process involves four steps, beginning with characterization of the planning 

area and concluding with spatial delineation of priority areas. The content and methods used by the 

Bureau of Land Management (BLM) in these documents should be consistent to ensure that priority 

areas are defined using similar criteria. These criteria and methods should be narratively described such 

that the US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and other audiences can understand the factors 

considered.

STEP 1: CHARACTERIZATION OF GREATER SAGE-GROUSE HABITAT

The purpose of this step is to broadly establish context of the planning area and GRSG habitat.
H. GRSG Wildfire and Invasive Species Habitat Assessment

H-2 North Dakota Greater Sage-Grouse Approved RMP Amendment September 2015

Location and Spatial Extent

 Describe the location of the planning area, and the relationship of GRSG habitat within the 

planning area.

Relationship to the Larger Scale Setting

 How does the planning area lie within the larger context of GRSG habitat?

Quantifying Habitat within Planning Area

 Brief description of GRSG habitat described in terms of acreage, habitat classes (e.g., priority 

habitat management areas (PHMA), general habitat management areas (GHMA), and/or 

Priority Areas for Conservation (PACs)).

 Note: A summary map showing the planning area with habitat features is appropriate in Step 

1. A tabular summary may also be included.

STEP 2: ISSUES AND KEY MANAGEMENT QUESTIONS

The purpose of this step is to devise management questions related to the issues of fuels management, 

fire management, and restoration. Note that this step should not answer each management question. 

Rather, management questions are answered in Step 4 through specific, quantified data.

Overview

 In coordination with state wildlife agencies, the USFWS, and your interdisciplinary team, 

develop an introductory section here which describes why fire or vegetation conditions 

pose a threat to GRSG in the local planning area. Describe where fire or vegetation 

conditions are a significant threat to GRSG habitat, and where fire, fuels, and restoration 

activities may help enhance habitat. In a brief paragraph or two, summarize the relationships 

between wildland fire, fuels management and invasives/restoration in the planning area. 

Examples would include annual grass/wildfire cycle, juniper encroachment into GRSG 

habitat, recently disturbed areas, etc.

Key Management Questions

Issue #1: Fuels Management

 In narrative format, develop management questions such as:

1. Based on fire risk to important GRSG habitats, what types of fuels treatments 

should be implemented that will reduce the risk? Where should fuels treatments be 

prioritized, and what’s the amount of treatment acres/miles needed for long-term 

enhancement and protection of GRSG habitat?

2. Based on opportunities for fire to improve/restore GRSG habitats, what types of 

fuels treatments should be implemented that will increase ability to allow fire? 

Where should fuels treatments be prioritized, and what amount of treatment is 

needed for long-term enhancement and protection of GRSG habitat?

3. What fuel reduction techniques will be most effective; including, but not limited to 

grazing, prescribed fire, chemical, biological and mechanical treatments?
H. GRSG Wildfire and Invasive Species Habitat Assessment

September 2015 North Dakota Greater Sage-Grouse Approved RMP Amendment H-3

4. What are the criteria for defining priority fuels management areas (example would 

be the intersection of high burn probability, PHMA, lek locations, and established 

GRSG population)?

5. Are there opportunities to utilize a coordinated approach across jurisdictional 

boundaries?

6. Are there areas where fuel treatments help restore GRSG habitat as well as reduce 

risk?

Issue #2: Fire Management

 In narrative format, develop management questions such as:

1. Where is the greatest wildfire risk, considering trends in fire occurrence, fuel 

conditions, and highly valued GRSG habitat?

2. Where will fire suppression resources be most successful to mitigate the risk and 

protect GRSG habitats?

3. Where do opportunities exist that could enhance or improve suppression capability 

in important GRSG habitats?

a. For example, increased water availability through installation of heli wells or 

water storage tanks.

b. Decreased response time through pre-positioned resources or staffing 

remote stations.

4. Where should wildfire be managed to achieve RMP objectives for improving or 

restoring GRSG habitat (limiting juniper expansion)?

5. What are the criteria for defining priority fire management areas? An example 

would be the intersection of PHMA, lek locations, and high burn probability.

6. How can fire management be coordinated across jurisdictional boundaries to 

reduce risk or to improve GRSG habitat?

Issue #3: Restoration

 In narrative format, develop management questions such as:

1. Are there opportunities for restoration treatments to conserve, enhance or 

maintain GRSG habitat? Assume that funding is not a constraint, and describe which 

sites are biologically suitable for restoration to GRSG habitat in a reasonable period.

2. Considering the entire planning area, what are the site conditions, such as dominant 

vegetation, elevation, or precipitation zones, where restoration efforts have been 

proven to be most successful in the recent past? An example would be mountain 

sagebrush sites over 5,000’ in elevation, and in a 16” or greater precipitation zone.

3. What are the criteria for defining priority restoration areas? An example would be 

recent burns, moderately disturbed sites, or recovering allotment pastures which 

have not crossed ecological thresholds or become highly degraded. These may or 

may not be covered by existing emergency stabilization and rehabilitation (ESR) 

plans.
H. GRSG Wildfire and Invasive Species Habitat Assessment

H-4 North Dakota Greater Sage-Grouse Approved RMP Amendment September 2015

4. Are there opportunities to utilize a coordinated approach across jurisdictional 

boundaries?

STEP 3: CURRENT CONDITIONS AND TRENDS

The purpose of this step is to develop information relevant to the issues and key questions identified in 

Step 2. It provides a snapshot of the present condition, statement of causal factors, and a summary of 

the trends which are occurring.

Biological Summary of Vegetation, Invasive Species, and Fire Regimes

[In this introductory section, provide a general biological summary of the planning area. Provide a 

narrative description of ecological trends, including description of plant communities, fire regimes, and 

other dominant biological factors affecting GRSG habitat.]

 Describe how fire has influenced current vegetation patterns. Are there large areas of evenaged communities, fine-scale mosaics, annual grass monocultures?

 Describe if fire regimes are intact, or if they are altered. If they are altered, describe why. 

Use fire regime variables such as fire frequency, severity, or size to elucidate your points.

 Describe dominant cover types making up the planning area. These can be broad seral stage 

groupings, general lifeforms, or more fine-scale information such as plant associations, 

habitat types, or ecological systems. Note: this information should be available in the RMP.

 What has been the impact of fire exclusion (e.g., increased conifer encroachment, and 

decadent shrub communities)? 

 What is the current extent of annual grasses and other invasive species?

 What are the effects of invasive species on land health? On trends in plant succession? On 

fire regimes?

Fuels Management

 Describe current fuels management practices within the planning area (what are the types of 

fuels treatments commonly applied to which management issues)?

 How has past fuels management influenced today’s planning area (e.g., creation of mosaics, 

protecting certain features, and increasing invasives)?

 What are causal factors which have created a need for fuels management practices?

 What are the trends in the fuels management program related to budget or capability?

Fire Management

 Describe the current fire suppression workload.

 Describe fire occurrence trends (include discussion of fire size, numbers of starts, ignition 

locations).

 Describe causal factors influencing suppression effectiveness.

 Describe suppression capabilities. Discuss types and numbers of resources within office, 

through interagency agreements, and through resource sharing.
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September 2015 North Dakota Greater Sage-Grouse Approved RMP Amendment H-5

Restoration

 Describe invasive species which are present in the planning area.

 Describe landscape conditions which may be suitable for restoration within the planning 

area, and the results of recent restoration efforts in the planning area.

 Describe invasive species occurrence.

 Describe causal factors influencing restoration needs.

Methodology

 What are the analysis methods to be utilized and analysis assumptions?

Use of best available Science

 Describe data sets used, such as the FSIM layer, local data, etc. [Many data sets being used 

in RMPs will also be applicable to stepdown assessments].

 What are the elements of science used?

STEP 4: IDENTIFICATION OF TREATMENT OPPORTUNITIES, PRIORITY AREAS, AND 

ACTIONS

The purpose of this step is to utilize the information from steps 2 and 3 in order to quantify the overall 

need for treatment or other actions. Specifically, this step should spatially identify and quantify priority 

areas, using the criteria established in Step 2. Next, this step should identify treatment opportunities 

which fall within priority areas. Furthermore, treatments should be prioritized and an implementation 

schedule developed, reflecting the reality that not every acre in need of treatment can receive action 

within the planning horizon.

Fuels Management

 Spatially delineate priority areas for fuels management, based upon criteria established in 

Step 2. Fuels priority areas should be delineated by type, such as:

– Linear fuel break along roads

– Other linear fuel breaks to create anchor points

– Prescribed burning

– Mechanical (e.g., conifer removal)

– Other mechanical, biological, or chemical treatment

 Quantify the number of acres of needed fuels treatments.

 If they exist, spatially delineate areas where fuel treatments would increase the ability to use 

fire to improve/enhance GRSG habitat?

– Include tables, maps or appropriate information 

 Identify coordination needed between renewable resource, fire management, and fuels 

management staff to facilitate planning and implementation of fuels treatments.

 Quantify a projected level of treatment within fuels management priority areas.

 Identify treatments to be planned within fuels management priority areas.
H. GRSG Wildfire and Invasive Species Habitat Assessment

H-6 North Dakota Greater Sage-Grouse Approved RMP Amendment September 2015

 Include a priority or implementation schedule for proposed treatments.

Fire Management

 Spatially delineate priority areas for fire suppression, based upon criteria established in Step 

2. Priority areas for fire management should be delineated by type, such as:

– Initial attack priority areas; 

– Resource pre-positioning and movement priority areas; 

– Remote station staffing priority areas, if appropriate

– Include tables, maps or other supporting information

 Quantify the number of acres of GRSG habitats for aggressive initial attack that were 

identified at highest risk from losing key habitat components.

 Quantify the number and type of suppression resources that will be staged or otherwise 

pre-positioned, as well as the associated conditions, in order to enhance initial attack 

capabilities. 

 Spatially delineate areas where opportunities exist to enhance or improve suppression 

capability.

– Include tables, maps or other supporting information

 Spatially delineate areas where wildfire can be managed to achieve RMP objectives.

– Include tables, maps or appropriate information

 Quantify the number of acres within fire management priority areas.

 Include a priority or implementation schedule for fire suppression proposed actions.

Restoration

 Spatially delineate priority areas for restoration, using criteria established in Step 2. Priority 

areas for restoration should be delineated by type, such as:

– Seeding priority areas (aerial, drill, broadcast, or other); 

– Invasive species priority areas (herbicide, mechanical, biological, combination); 

– Priority areas requiring combinations of treatments (e.g., herbicide followed by 

seeding); 

– Include tables, maps or appropriate information. 

 Identify locations where post-fire restoration treatments should be focused.

– Include tables, maps or appropriate information

 Spatially identify invasive species occurrence.

 Identify coordination needed between renewable resource, fire management, and fuels 

management staff to facilitate planning and implementation of restoration treatments.

 Quantify the projected level of treatment within restoration priority areas.

 Identify treatments to be planned within restoration priority areas.
H. GRSG Wildfire and Invasive Species Habitat Assessment

September 2015 North Dakota Greater Sage-Grouse Approved RMP Amendment H-7

 Include a priority or implementation schedule for proposed restoration treatments.

Annual Treatment Needs

1. Based on the information above and within the planning area, what are the annual needs 

based on the key questions and summary statements?

Annual Treatment Abilities

1. Putting GRSG habitat protection and enhancement into perspective with other high valued 

resources and important land management goals, how does the annual need relate to 

capabilities? 

2. What are the realistic annual expectations in fire management, fuels management, and 

restoration for the next five years?
H. GRSG Wildfire and Invasive Species Habitat Assessment

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