Forest Service proposal would eliminate special designations for sage grouse in Utah, other states

Boise, Idaho • The U.S. Forest Service proposed changes Wednesday to sage grouse protections in six Western states that call for eliminating special designations for crucial habitat, as well as keeping areas open for mining.The agency also said restrictions on water development for livestock will be removed, as will other requirements that could limit some livestock grazing.The plan, detailed in documents, covers 9,500 square miles of greater sage grouse habitat in Idaho, Colorado, Nevada,