The Grouse and Grazing Project | Summer 2025

A report on the effects of cattle grazing on demographic traits of greater sage-grouse
A Cooperator Science Series Report funded by the U.S. Bureau of Land Management, Idaho Department of Fish and Game, Idaho Governor’s Office of Species Conservation, Public Lands Council, University of Idaho, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Great Basin LCC, and U.S. Forest Service

The effect of livestock grazing on sage grouse populations has been long debated. A decade-long research project was initiated to put the debate to rest - does cattle grazing negatively impact declining sage grouse populations? Findings in the study say sage-grouse do not need pastures to be rested from grazing to thrive. Continued, well-managed grazing can be compatible with — and in some contexts beneficial to — sage-grouse populations.

Read the report.

Endangered Species Act Revisions | Summer 2023

NAR Joins Reform Coalition to Address Cost of Proposed Endangered Species Act (ESA) Revisions

The Department of Interior has proposed regulations to revise the ESA (sections 4, 4(d) and 7) that address various aspects of how a species is declared endangered, how critical habitat is designated, and how other agencies use the ESA in fulfilling their agency goals and missions. 

The revisions are concerning for property owners. They make it easier to declare a species endangered and designate critical habitat, under-emphasize the costs of these regs to landowners, and do not take into account the adverse economic ramifications to regulated stakeholders that these regs will create.   
 
Here's what would change with revisions to the current act:

• The requirement that economic impacts not be considered in listing decisions;
• The framework for determining the “foreseeable future” as applied to the listing of threatened species; 
• The circumstances when the Services may find that is it not prudent to designate critical habitat; 
• The process and requirements regarding the designation of areas as unoccupied critical habitat;
• Revise the process for consultation between the Services and a federal agency on whether a proposed federal action will jeopardize the continued existence of a threatened or endangered species or result in the destruction of critical habitat.

NAR is working with NESARC (National Endangered Species Act Reform Coalition) to create a robust set of comments on behalf of the regulated community. Check back here for future developments on this issue.