Billings and Pompeys Pillar National Monument

Resource Management Plan Revision

FACT SHEET: Greater Sage-Grouse Conservation 

Program Contact: Jay Parks, Wildlife Biologist, (406) 896-5244

 

The Billings and Pompeys Pillar National Monument (PPNM) Draft Resource Management Plan (RMP) and 

associated Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) covers all resources and programs, including Greater Sage-Grouse 

(GRSG), livestock grazing, oil and gas leasing, lands with wilderness characteristics, recreation, and other planning 

issues.

Why is BLM emphasizing GRSG management in the Billings and PPNM Draft RMP/EIS?

Greater Sage-Grouse was identified as a planning issue early in the process for the Billings and PPNM RMP 

revision, through both internal and external scoping, and in coordination with the cooperating agencies. In March 

2010, the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) published its decision in response to the proposed 

listing of the GRSG under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) that the listing was “Warranted but Precluded” by 

higher priority species. Inadequacy of regulatory mechanisms was identified as one of the criteria in which the 

“Warranted” decision was based.

The USFWS has identified the principal mechanism for the BLM to assure regulatory certainty is by adopting 

conservation measures in RMPs. The USFWS will review its warranted-but-precluded decision at the end of 2015

and make a decision as to whether the GRSG warrants protection via the ESA. 

Based on the identified threats to the GRSG and the USFWS timeline for reviewing its listing decision on this 

species, the BLM initiated the National GRSG Planning Strategy to incorporate objectives and adequate 

conservation measures into RMPs in order to conserve GRSG. 

The National GRSG Planning Strategy requires evaluating the adequacy of existing RMPs and, as necessary, 

revising RMPs, such as the Billings and PPNM Draft RMP/EIS, to incorporate GRSG conservation measures so that

sufficient threats can be removed or reduced to minimize the need to the list the species under the ESA. Proactively 

implementing policies and conservation measures now will reduce regulatory burdens on stakeholders.

The BLM solicited public and agency input to identify issues to address in the planning effort and is coordinating 

with other federal, state, and local government agencies in preparing the documents. The BLM is conducting 

detailed environmental analyses of a range of alternatives for GRSG.

What is the BLM National Greater Sage-Grouse Planning Strategy?

The BLM National GRSG Planning Strategy provides a coordinated, cooperative stakeholder team approach to 

incorporate regionally appropriate, science-based conservation measures into BLM land-use planning efforts 

throughout the range of the GRSG.

GRSG benefit from, and make use of, suitable habitat—regardless of land ownership and management 

responsibility, so the BLM planning strategy uses an open and collaborative approach to foster cooperative 

conservation efforts across the regions and states that make up the Greater Sage-Grouse range.
The planning strategy illustrates the BLM’s continued commitment to long-term, range-wide GRSG conservation 

and habitat restoration and acknowledges the added value of engaging all stakeholders and governmental partners in 

cooperative conservation efforts.

What is the National Technical Team Report?

As part of its GRSG National Planning Strategy, the BLM convened a National Technical Team (NTT). This team 

was composed of representatives from the BLM, the USFWS, the Natural Resources Conservation Service, the U.S. 

Geological Survey, and state wildlife agencies. The team was charged with developing a report to ensure relevant 

science on GRSG conservation was considered, reasonably interpreted, and accurately presented, with risks and 

uncertainties clearly delineated; providing conservation objectives in measurable terms to guide planning; and 

identifying science-based conservation measures.

In 2011, the NTT prepared a report which fulfilled this charge. The report and its associated conservation measures 

are not intended to create a standard for sage-grouse management. Rather the goal of the report is to provide a 

resource for BLM field personnel to use, as appropriate, in addressing on-the-ground conservation through the 

planning process.

Is the Billings and PPNM Draft RMP/EIS consistent with the NTT Report?

The BLM has considered and analyzed the NTT conservation measures in the Billings and PPNM Draft RMP/EIS in

accordance with the most recent guidance, BLM Washington Office Instruction Memorandum 2012-044. This draft 

RMP/EIS was reviewed at the regional and Washington Office level for compliance with the guidance. The plan is 

also consistent with the Montana BLM guidance for GRSG management and conservation in land use plans (BLM 

Montana/Dakotas Instruction Memorandum MT-2010-017). 

What specific measures are considered in the Billings and PPNM draft RMP/EIS to protect 

Greater Sage-Grouse? 

This draft RMP/EIS incorporates specific protections for GRSG within the range of alternatives. We encourage the 

public to review the specific protections for GRSG in the draft plan, as well as the breadth of other resource and 

resource uses addressed in the plan. The summary table below lists some of the key protections and plan allocations 

being addressed in the range of alternatives. 

Billings and PPNM Draft RMP/EIS

GRSG Protection Priority Areas - Summary of Key Protections

Action Alt A

(No Action) Alt B Alt C

Alt D

(Preferred)

GRSG Protection Priority 

Areas (PPA) 0 acres 154,140 acres – BLM surface191,543 acres – Federal mineral estate

GRSG Restoration Areas 

(RA) 0 acres 45,555 acres – BLM surface63,437 acres – Federal mineral estate

Fluid Mineral Leasing 7,536 acres 

NSO

212,484.8 acres No 

Lease 25,262 acres NSO 173,568 acres NSO

Rights-of-Way 0 acres 154,054 acres ROW 

exclusion

153,418 acres ROW 

avoidance

153,048 acres ROW 

avoidance

GRSG Habitat ACEC 0 acres 154,140 acres 0 acres

Solid Leasable Minerals 

(Coal)

Within Greater Sage-Grouse PPAs (including the Alternative B 

Greater Sage-Grouse Habitat ACEC) and RAs solid mineral leasing 

(coal) would only be allowed with the following lease stips: 

- Mining may only occur via sub-surface methods 

- All mine related appurtenant facilities would be placed outside 

of the Priority Protection Habitat