Sage-Grouse Working Group

The APLIC Sage-Grouse Working Group was formed to:

  • Compile, share and support research related to sage-grouse and utility structures
  • Participate in the development of Best Management Practices regarding sage-grouse and power lines.

 

Recent Meeting Documents

  • Spring 2010 APLIC meeting, Arlington, VA, April 14, 2010
  • Fall 2010 APLIC meeting, Jupiter, FL, November 17, 2010
  • Fall 2012 Sage-grouse workshop, Great Falls, MT, October 9, 2012

 

Development of Best Management Practices (BMPs)

At the fall 2012 APLIC meeting in Great Falls, MT, a one-day sage-grouse workshop was held.  This led to an effort among APLIC-member utilities, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Bureau of Land Management, and state wildlife agencies throughout sage-grouse range to develop Best Management Practices for electric utilities in sage-grouse areas.  The group is currently meeting monthly throughout 2013.

 

Tall Structure Literature Review

In 2010, Utah State University, Utah Wildlife in Need, Rocky Mountain Power, and the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources released a comprehensive literature review of sage-grouse and tall structures.

 

Tall Structures Research Protocols

In June 2011, Utah Wildlife in Need (UWIN) released research protocols to assess the impacts of tall structures on sage-grouse.  This effort was a partnership among UWIN, Utah State University, Utah Division of Wildlife Resources, Rocky Mountain Power, Northwestern Energy, Idaho Power Company and APLIC, and numerous sage-grouse experts participated in the development of this document.

  • Final project report:  Protocol for Investigating the Effects of Tall Structures on Sage-grouse (Centrocercus spp.) Within Designated or Proposed Energy Corridors

 

Other Research