Appendix B – Fluid Mineral Stipulations 

Management Action: MD SSS 2 Stipulation Type: CSU 

Density and disturbance inside Priority Habitat Management Areas (PHMA) (core only) 

Management Action 

Text 

In PHMAs (core only), the density of disturbance of an energy or mining facility 

(Appendix D) will be limited to an average of one site per square mile (640 acres) within 

the DDCT, subject to valid existing rights. The one location and cumulative value of 

existing disturbances will not exceed 5 percent of suitable habitat of the DDCT area. 

Utilize the Greater Sage-Grouse density disturbance calculation tool as described in 

Appendix D. 

Protected Resource Greater Sage-Grouse designated core habitat 

Acres Affected 

(Approx.) 

6,975,822 acres BLM administration (BLM surface plus federal mineral interest 

regardless of surface ownership) 

87,281 acres federal mineral estate within Forest Service proposed core management 

areas 

Stipulation Description 

Stipulation: Greater Sage-Grouse designated core areas. This area encompasses 

Greater Sage-Grouse designated PHMAs (Core only). Surface occupancy or use will 

be restricted to no more than an average of one disturbance location per 640 acres 

using the DDCT, and the cumulative value of all applicable surface disturbances, 

existing or future, must not exceed 5 percent of the DDCT area, as described in the 

Disturbance Density Calculation Tool (DDCT). 

This lease does not guarantee the lessee the right to occupy the surface of the 

lease for the purpose of producing oil and natural gas within Greater Sage-Grouse 

designated PHMAs (Core only). The surface occupancy restriction criteria identified 

in this stipulation may preclude surface occupancy and may be beyond the ability 

of the lessee to meet due to existing surface disturbance on federal, state, or 

private lands within designated PHMAs (Core only) or surface disturbance created 

by other land users. The BLM may require the lessee or operator to enter into a 

unit agreement or drilling easement to facilitate the equitable development of this 

and surrounding leases. 

Purpose: To protect Greater Sage-Grouse designated core areas from habitat 

fragmentation and loss. 

Exception: The authorized officer may grant an exception if an environmental record 

of review determines that the action, as proposed or conditioned, would not impair the 

function or utility of the site for the current or subsequent seasonal habitat, lifehistory, or behavioral needs of Greater Sage-Grouse. The BLM can and does grant 

exceptions if the BLM, in coordination with the WGFD, determines that granting an 

exception would not adversely impact the population being protected. 

Modification: The authorized officer may modify the area subject to the stipulation or 

surface occupancy criteria if an environmental record of review finds that a portion of 

the CSU area is nonessential, or it is identified through scientific research or monitoring 

that the existing criteria are inadequate or overly protective for maintaining the function 

or utility of the site for the seasonal habitat, life-history, or behavioral needs of the 

Greater Sage-Grouse, including (but not limited to) reproductive display, daytime 

loafing/staging activities, and nesting. 

Waiver: No Waiver 

Management Action: MD SSS 3 Stipulation Type: CSU 

Density and disturbance inside PHMAs (connectivity only) 

Management Action 

Text 

Inside PHMAs (connectivity only), all suitable habitat disturbed (any program area) will 

not exceed 5% of suitable habitat within the DDCT area using the DDCT process 

described in Appendix D. 

Protected Resource Greater Sage-Grouse connectivity habitat 

Acres Affected 76,241 acres BLM administration (BLM surface plus federal mineral interests regardless 

of surface ownership) 

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(Approx.) 62,660 acres federal mineral estate within Forest Service proposed core management 

areas 

Stipulation Description 

Stipulation: Greater Sage-Grouse connectivity areas. This area encompasses Greater 

Sage-Grouse PHMAs (Connectivity only). The cumulative value of all applicable 

surface disturbances (existing or future, and not limited to fluid mineral disturbances) 

must not exceed an average of 5 percent of the sagebrush habitat mapped on the Field 

Office GIS database per 640 acres, as described in the Disturbance Density 

Calculation Tool (DDCT). 

This lease does not guarantee the lessee the right to occupy the surface of the lease 

for the purpose of producing oil and natural gas within Greater Sage-Grouse 

designated PHMAs (Connectivity Only). The surface occupancy restriction criteria 

identified in this stipulation may preclude surface occupancy and may be beyond the 

ability of the lessee to meet due to existing surface disturbance on federal, state, or 

private lands within the designated connectivity areas or surface disturbance created by 

other land users. The BLM may require the lessee or operator to enter into a unit 

agreement or drilling easement to facilitate the equitable development of this and 

surrounding leases. 

Purpose: To protect Greater Sage-Grouse connectivity areas from habitat 

fragmentation and loss. 

Exception: The authorized officer may grant an exception if an environmental record of 

review determines that the action, as proposed or conditioned, would not impair the 

function or utility of the site for the current or subsequent seasonal habitat, life-history, 

or behavioral needs of Greater Sage-Grouse. An exception to the stated limits may be 

granted when compensatory mitigation is determined to provide an overall beneficial 

effect to sage-grouse habitat and populations. The BLM can and does grant exceptions 

if the BLM, in coordination with the WGFD, determines that granting an exception 

would not adversely impact the population being protected. 

Modification: The authorized officer may modify the area subject to the stipulation or 

surface occupancy criteria if an environmental record of review finds that a portion of 

the CSU area is nonessential, or it is identified through scientific research or monitoring 

that the existing criteria are inadequate or overly protective for maintaining the function 

or utility of the site for the seasonal habitat, life-history, or behavioral needs of the 

Greater Sage-Grouse, including (but not limited to) reproductive display, daytime 

loafing/staging activities, and nesting. 

Waiver: No Waiver 

Management Action: MD SSS 5 Stipulation Type: NSO 

Sage-grouse leks inside PHMAs 

Management Action 

Text 

Sage-grouse leks inside PHMAs: 

Surface occupancy and surface disturbing activities will be prohibited on or within a 0.6 

mile radius of the perimeter of occupied sage-grouse leks (Map 2-8). 

The Authorized Officer may grant an exception if an environmental record of review 

determines that the action, as proposed or conditioned, will not impair the function or 

utility of the site for the current or subsequent seasonal habitat, life-history, or behavioral 

needs of Greater Sage-Grouse 

Protected Resource Sage-grouse leks inside core and connectivity habitat areas 

Acres Affected 

(Approx.) 

420,424 acres BLM administration (BLM surface plus federal mineral interests 

regardless of surface ownership) 

5,215 acres federal mineral estate within Forest Service proposed core management 

areas 

Stipulation Description 

Stipulation: Occupied Greater Sage-Grouse leks inside designated PHMAs (Core and 

Connectivity). This area encompasses occupied Greater Sage-Grouse leks inside 

designated PHMAs (Core and Connectivity). No surface occupancy or use is allowed 

within a six-tenths (0.6) mile radius of the perimeter of occupied Greater Sage-Grouse 

leks inside designated core areas and connectivity areas, as mapped on the Field 

Office GIS database. 

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Purpose: To protect occupied Greater Sage-Grouse leks and associated seasonal 

habitat, life-history, or behavioral needs of Greater Sage-Grouse in proximity to leks, 

from habitat fragmentation and loss and Greater Sage-Grouse populations from 

disturbance inside designated core areas and connectivity areas. 

Exception: The authorized officer may grant an exception if an environmental record 

of review determines that the action, as proposed or conditioned, would not impair the 

function or utility of the site for the current or subsequent seasonal habitat, life-history, 

or behavioral needs of Greater Sage-Grouse. The BLM can and does grant exceptions 

if the BLM, in coordination with the WGFD, determines that granting an exception 

would not adversely impact the population being protected. 

Modification: The authorized officer may modify the area subject to the stipulation or 

the NSO criteria if an environmental record of review finds that a portion of the NSO 

area is nonessential, or it is identified through scientific research or monitoring that the 

existing criteria are inadequate or overly protective for maintaining the function or utility 

of the site for the seasonal habitat, life-history, or behavioral needs of the Greater 

Sage-Grouse, including (but not limited to) reproductive display, daytime 

loafing/staging activities, and nesting. 

Waiver: This stipulation may be waived over the entire lease if, in coordination with the 

state wildlife agency, it is determined that the Greater Sage-Grouse lek has been 

classified as unoccupied as determined by the state wildlife agency. Any changes to this 

stipulation will be made in accordance with the land use plan and/or the regulatory 

provisions for such changes. (For guidance on the use of this stipulation, see BLM 

Manuals 1624 and 3101.) 

Management Action: MD SSS 6 Stipulation Type: NSO 

Sage-grouse leks outside PHMAs 

Management Action 

Text 

Sage-grouse leks outside PHMAs: 

Surface occupancy and surface disturbing activities will be prohibited on or within a 0.25 

mile radius of the perimeter of occupied sage-grouse leks (Map 2-8). 

The Authorized Officer may grant an exception if an environmental record of review 

determines that the action, as proposed or conditioned, will not impair the function or 

utility of the site for the current or subsequent seasonal habitat, life-history, or behavioral 

needs of Greater Sage-Grouse. 

Protected Resource Sage-grouse leks outside core and connectivity habitat areas 

Acres Affected 

(Approx.) 

32,369 acres BLM administration (BLM surface plus federal mineral interests regardless 

of surface ownership) 

Stipulation Description 

Stipulation: Occupied Greater Sage-Grouse leks outside PHMAs (Core and 

Connectivity). This area encompasses occupied Greater Sage-Grouse leks outside 

designated core areas and connectivity areas. No surface occupancy or use is allowed 

within a one-quarter (0.25) mile radius of the perimeter of occupied Greater Sage-Grouse 

leks outside designated PHMAs (Core and Connectivity), as mapped on the Field Office 

GIS database. 

Purpose: To protect occupied Greater Sage-Grouse leks, and associated seasonal 

habitat, life-history, or behavioral needs of Greater Sage-Grouse in proximity to leks, 

from habitat fragmentation and loss, and Greater Sage-Grouse populations from 

disturbance outside designated core areas and connectivity areas. 

Exception: The authorized officer may grant an exception if an environmental record of 

review determines that the action, as proposed or conditioned, would not impair the 

function or utility of the site for the current or subsequent seasonal habitat, life-history, 

or behavioral needs of Greater Sage-Grouse. The BLM can and does grant exceptions 

if the BLM, in coordination with the WGFD, determines that granting an exception would 

not adversely impact the population being protected. 

Modification: The authorized officer may modify the area subject to the stipulation or 

the NSO criteria if an environmental record of review finds that a portion of the NSO 

area is nonessential, or it is identified through scientific research or monitoring that the 

existing criteria are inadequate or overly protective for maintaining the function or utility 

of the site for the seasonal habitat, life-history, or behavioral needs of the Greater SageGrouse, including (but not limited to) reproductive display, daytime loafing/staging 

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activities, and nesting. 

Waiver: This stipulation may be waived over the entire lease if, in coordination with the 

state wildlife agency, it is determined that the Greater Sage-Grouse lek has been 

classified as unoccupied as determined by the state wildlife agency. Any changes to 

this stipulation will be made in accordance with the land use plan and/or the regulatory 

provisions for such changes. (For guidance on the use of this stipulation, see BLM 

Manuals 1624 and 3101.) 

Management Action: MD SSS 7 Stipulation Type: TLS 

Sage-grouse breeding, nesting, and early brood-rearing habitat inside PHMAs (core only) 

Management Action 

Text 

Sage-grouse breeding, nesting, and early brood-rearing habitat inside PHMAs (core 

only): 

Surface disturbing and/or disruptive activities would be prohibited from March 15–June 

30 to protect sage-grouse breeding, nesting, and early brood rearing habitat. This timing 

limitation would be applied throughout the PHMAs (core only). Activities in unsuitable 

habitats would be evaluated under the exception and modification criteria and could be 

allowed on a case by case basis. 

Where credible data support different timeframes for this seasonal restriction, dates 

may be expanded by up to 14 days prior to or subsequent to the above dates. 

Protected Resource 

Greater Sage-Grouse breeding, nesting and early brood-rearing habitat inside 

designated core areas 

Acres Affected 

(Approx.) 

2,956,428 acres BLM administration (BLM surface plus federal mineral interests 

regardless of surface ownership) 

26,029 acres federal mineral estate within Forest Service proposed core management 

areas 

Stipulation Description 

Stipulation: Greater Sage-Grouse breeding, nesting, and early brood-rearing habitats 

inside designated PHMAs (Core only). This area encompasses Greater Sage-Grouse 

breeding, nesting, and early brood-rearing habitats inside designated PHMAs (Core 

only). No surface use is allowed during March 15 – June 30 inside designated PHMAs 

(Core only). 

Where credible data support different timeframes for this seasonal restriction, dates may 

be expanded by up to 14 days prior to or subsequent to the above dates. 

Purpose: To seasonally protect Greater Sage-Grouse breeding, nesting, and early 

brood-rearing habitats from disruptive activities inside designated core areas. 

Exception: The authorized officer may grant an exception if an environmental record 

of review determines that the action, as proposed or conditioned, will not affect 

reproductive displays, nest attendance, egg or chick survival, or early brood-rearing 

success. Actions designed to enhance the long-term utility or availability of suitable 

Greater Sage-Grouse habitat may be exempted from this timing limitation. The BLM 

can and does grant exceptions to seasonal restrictions if the BLM, in coordination 

with the WGFD, determines that granting an exception would not adversely impact 

the population being protected. 

Modification: The authorized officer may modify the size and shape of the TLS area or 

the TLS criteria if an environmental record of review indicates the actual habitat 

suitability for seasonal Greater Sage-Grouse activities is greater or less than the 

stipulated area, or it is identified through scientific research or monitoring that the 

existing criteria are inadequate or overly protective for maintaining the function or utility 

of the site for the seasonal habitat, life-history, or behavioral needs of the Greater 

Sage-Grouse, including (but not limited to) reproductive display, daytime 

loafing/staging activities, and nesting. 

Waiver: No Waiver 

Management Action: MD SSS 8 Stipulation Type: TLS 

Sage-grouse breeding, nesting, and early brood-rearing habitat inside PHMAs (connectivity only) 

Management Action 

Text 

Sage-grouse breeding, nesting, and early brood-rearing habitat inside PHMAs 

(connectivity only): 

Surface disturbing and/or disruptive activities would be prohibited within PHMAs 

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(connectivity only) from March 15–June 30 to protect breeding, nesting, and early broodrearing habitats within 4 miles of the lek or lek perimeter of any occupied sage-grouse lek 

within identified PHMAs (connectivity only). This timing limitation would be applied 

throughout the PHMAs (connectivity only). Activities in unsuitable habitats would be 

evaluated under the exception and modification criteria and may be allowed on a caseby-case basis. 

Where credible data support different timeframes for this seasonal restriction, dates 

could be shifted by 14 days prior or subsequent to the above dates. 

Protected Resource Greater Sage-Grouse breeding, nesting and early brood-rearing habitat within 

connectivity areas 

Acres Affected 

(Approx.) 

31,886 acres BLM administration (BLM surface plus federal mineral interests regardless 

of surface ownership) 

3,684 acres federal mineral estate within Forest Service proposed core management 

areas 

Stipulation Description 

Stipulation: Greater Sage-Grouse breeding, nesting, and early brood-rearing habitat 

within PHMAs (Connectivity only). This area encompasses Greater Sage-Grouse 

breeding, nesting, and early brood-rearing habitat within PHMAs (Connectivity only). No 

surface use is allowed during March 15 – June 30 in breeding, nesting, and early broodrearing habitats (independent of habitat suitability) inside PHMAs (Connectivity only), 

within four miles of an occupied lek. 

Purpose: To seasonally protect Greater Sage-Grouse breeding, nesting, and early 

brood-rearing habitats (independent of habitat suitability) inside connectivity areas 

from disruptive activities, within four miles of an occupied lek. 

Exception: The authorized officer may grant an exception if an environmental record 

of review determines that the action, as proposed or conditioned, will not affect 

reproductive displays, nest attendance, egg or chick survival, or early brood-rearing 

success. Actions designed to enhance the long-term utility or availability of suitable 

Greater Sage-Grouse habitat may be exempted from this timing limitation. The BLM 

can and does grant exceptions to seasonal restrictions if the BLM, in coordination 

with the WGFD, determines that granting an exception would not adversely impact 

the population being protected. 

Modification: The authorized officer may modify the size and shape of the TLS area 

or the TLS criteria if an environmental record of review indicates the actual habitat 

suitability for seasonal Greater Sage-Grouse activities is greater or less than the 

stipulated area, or it is identified through scientific research or monitoring that the 

existing criteria are inadequate or overly protective for maintaining the function or 

utility of the site for the seasonal habitat, life-history, or behavioral needs of the 

Greater Sage-Grouse, including (but not limited to) reproductive display, daytime 

loafing/staging activities, and nesting. 

Waiver: This stipulation may be waived over the entire lease if, in coordination with the 

state wildlife agency, it is determined that the Greater Sage-Grouse lek has been 

classified as unoccupied as determined by the state wildlife agency. Any changes to 

this stipulation will be made in accordance with the land use plan and/or the regulatory 

provisions for such changes. (For guidance on the use of this stipulation, see BLM 

Manuals 1624 and 3101.) 

Management Action: MD SSS 9 Stipulation Type: TLS 

Sage-grouse breeding, nesting, and early brood-rearing habitat outside PHMAs 

Management Action 

Text 

Sage-grouse breeding, nesting, and early brood-rearing habitat outside PHMAs: 

Surface disturbing and/or disruptive activities would be prohibited from March 15– 

June 30 to protect sage-grouse nesting and early brood rearing habitats within 2 

miles of the lek or lek perimeter of any occupied lek located outside PHMAs. 

Where credible data support different timeframes for this restriction, dates could 

be shifted by 14 days prior or subsequent to the above dates. 

Protected Resource 

Sage-grouse breeding, nesting, and early brood-rearing habitat outside sage-grouse core 

and connectivity habitat areas 

Acres Affected 3,254,564 acres BLM administration (BLM surface plus federal mineral interests 

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(Approx.) regardless of surface ownership) 

Stipulation Description 

Stipulation: Greater Sage-Grouse breeding, nesting, and early brood-rearing habitat 

outside designated PHMAs (Core and Connectivity). This area encompasses Greater 

Sage-Grouse breeding, nesting, and early brood-rearing habitat outside designated 

PHMAs (Core and Connectivity). No surface use is allowed during March 15 – June 30 in 

Greater Sage-Grouse breeding, nesting, and early brood-rearing habitats outside 

designated PHMA (Core and Connectivity), within two miles of an occupied lek. 

Where credible data support different timeframes for this restriction, dates may be 

expanded by 14 days prior or subsequent to the above dates. 

Purpose: To seasonally protect Greater Sage-Grouse breeding, nesting, and early 

brood-rearing habitats from disruptive activities outside designated core areas and 

connectivity areas, within two miles of an occupied lek. 

Exception: The authorized officer may grant an exception if an environmental record 

of review determines that the action, as proposed or conditioned, will not affect 

reproductive displays, nest attendance, egg or chick survival, or early brood-rearing 

success. Actions designed to enhance the long-term utility or availability of suitable 

Greater Sage-Grouse habitat may be exempted from this timing limitation. The BLM 

can and does grant exceptions to seasonal restrictions if the BLM, in coordination 

with the WGFD, determines that granting an exception would not adversely impact 

the population being protected. 

Modification: The authorized officer may modify the size and shape of the TLS area 

or the TLS criteria if an environmental record of review indicates the actual habitat 

suitability for seasonal Greater Sage-Grouse activities is greater or less than the 

stipulated area, or it is identified through scientific research or monitoring that the 

existing criteria are inadequate or overly protective for maintaining the function or 

utility of the site for the seasonal habitat, life-history, or behavioral needs of the 

Greater Sage-Grouse, including (but not limited to) reproductive display, daytime 

loafing/staging activities, and nesting. 

Waiver: This stipulation may be waived over the entire lease if, in coordination with the 

state wildlife agency, it is determined that the Greater Sage-Grouse lek has been 

classified as unoccupied as determined by the state wildlife agency. Any changes to 

this stipulation will be made in accordance with the land use plan and/or the regulatory 

provisions for such changes. (For guidance on the use of this stipulation, see BLM 

Manuals 1624 and 3101.) 

Management Action: MD SSS 10 Stipulation Type: TLS 

Greater Sage-Grouse winter concentration areas within PHMAs (core only), and outside PHMAs (core 

only) when supporting wintering Greater Sage-Grouse that nest within PHMAs (core only) 

Management Action 

Text 

Sage-grouse winter concentration areas: 

Surface disturbing and/or disruptive activities in sage-grouse winter concentration areas, 

to be mapped by the WGFD, would be prohibited from December 1–March 14. 

Activities in unsuitable habitats within PHMAs would be evaluated under the exception, 

waiver, and modification criteria and could be allowed on a case-by-case basis. 

Protection of additional mapped winter concentration areas in GHMAs would be 

implemented ONLY where winter concentration areas are identified as supporting 

biologically significant numbers of sage-grouse nesting in PHMAs and/or attending leks 

within PHMAs (core only). Appropriate seasonal timing restrictions and habitat 

protection measures would be considered and evaluated in consultation with the WGFD 

in all identified winter concentration areas. 

Protected Resource 

Greater Sage-Grouse winter concentration areas within designated core areas, and 

outside designated core areas when supporting wintering Greater Sage-Grouse that nest 

within designated core areas 

Acres Affected 

(Approx.) 

Within PHMAs: 3,440,748 acres BLM administration (BLM surface plus federal mineral 

interests regardless of surface ownership) 

Outside PHMAs: 5,411,070 acres BLM administration (BLM surface plus federal mineral 

interests regardless of surface ownership) 

Stipulation Description Stipulation: Greater Sage-Grouse winter concentration areas. This area encompasses 

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Greater Sage-Grouse winter concentration areas. No surface use is allowed during 

December 1 – March 14 within mapped Greater Sage-Grouse winter concentration areas 

in designated PHMAs (Core only), and outside designated PHMAs (Core only) when 

supporting wintering Greater Sage-Grouse that attend leks within designated PHMAs 

(Core only). 

Purpose: To seasonally protect Greater Sage-Grouse winter concentration areas from 

disruptive activities. 

Exception: The authorized officer may grant an exception if an environmental record 

of review determines that the action, as proposed or conditioned, will not impair the 

function and suitability of the winter concentration area, or it is determined that the 

winter concentration area is not occupied by concentrated populations of Greater 

Sage-Grouse during the period of concern. Actions designed to enhance the longterm utility or availability of suitable Greater Sage-Grouse habitat may be exempted 

from this timing limitation. The BLM can and does grant exceptions to seasonal 

restrictions if the BLM, in coordination with the WGFD, determines that granting an 

exception would not adversely impact the population being protected. 

Modification: The authorized officer may modify the size and shape of the TLS area 

or the TLS criteria if an environmental record of review indicates the actual habitat 

suitability for seasonal Greater Sage-Grouse activities is greater or less than the 

stipulated area, or it is identified through scientific research or monitoring that the 

existing criteria are inadequate or overly protective for maintaining the function or 

utility of the site for the seasonal habitat, life-history, or behavioral needs of the 

Greater Sage-Grouse. 

Waiver: No Waiver 

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