Gunnison and Greater Sage-Grouse Reference Layer
Important! The data displayed in IFTDSS are intended for strategic use only. Always verify the positional accuracy of the data with local knowledge.
Overview
This dataset represents Greater Sage-Grouse and Gunnison Sage-Grouse key habitat. The dataset includes the following categories:
| Category | Description |
|---|---|
| Greater Sage-Grouse Sagebrush Focal Areas (SFA) |
Areas identified by the USFWS that represent recognized “strongholds” for greater sage-grouse that have been noted and referenced as having the highest densities of greater sage-grouse and other criteria important for the persistence of the species. SFAs are largely a subset of PHMAs except for in areas where the GRSG habitat model was updated in NV and CA in July of 2022. In NV, SFAs now fall within OHMA and GHMA categories in addition to PHMAs. In IFTDSS, you will now find the following categories:
|
| Greater Sage-Grouse Priority Habitat Management Areas (PHMA) | Areas identified as having the highest habitat value for maintaining sustainable GRSG populations. |
| Greater Sage-Grouse Important Habitat Management Areas (IHMA) | Areas with high value habitat and populations that provide a management buffer for the priority and sagebrush focal management areas or connect patches of priority and sagebrush focal management areas. IMHAs exist in Idaho only and are not as important as PHMAs. The areas are typically adjacent to priority habitat management and sagebrush focal areas. |
| Greater Sage-Grouse General Habitat Management Areas (GHMA) | Areas that are occupied seasonally or are year-round habitat outside of PHMAs where some special management would apply to sustain GRSG populations. |
| Greater Sage-Grouse Additional, Land Use Plan (LUP) Designations |
Areas outside of PHMA/IHMA/GHMA where connectivity and restoration are emphasized. Additional LUP Areas consists of:
|
| Bi-State Greater Sage-Grouse Habitat (BS-GSGH) | The LUP amendment identifies these areas as highly valued to provide for the long-term viability of the Bi-State GRSG. |
| Bi-State Greater Sage-Grouse Connective Areas (BS-GSGC) | Areas identified by the LUP amendment as unsuitable habitat that fragment or separate suitable habitat areas. |
| Gunnison Sage-Grouse Occupied Habitat (GUSG-OH) | Areas of suitable habitat known to be used by GUSG within the last 10 years from the date of mapping. Occupied habitat is the highest priority for fire operations in GUSG habitat. |
| Gunnison Sage-Grouse Unoccupied Habitat (GUSG-UH) | Unoccupied habitat is the second order priority for fire operations in GUSG habitat. |
| Greater Sage-Grouse USFWS Priority Areas for Conservation (PAC) | Areas identified by the USFWS as essential for the long-term conservation of the sage-grouse. PACs are a subset of Current Occupied Range. |
| Greater Sage-Grouse USFWS Current Occupied Range (OCC) | Sagebrush habitats with the potential to support GRSG. |
Metadata
| Category | Description |
|---|---|
| Source | The WFM RD&A Data Team received the GUSG and GRSG data needed to develop this feature layer from the BLM National Operations Center. |
| Data Currency | GRSG (3/2/2023) and GUSG (6/13/2022) |
| Extent | West and Midwest Regions of the US |
| Projection/Datum | GCS NAD 1983 |
| Contact(s) | Amanda Rumsey, WFM RD&A, amanda_rumsey@nps.gov |
| Susan McClendon, WFM RD&A, susan_mcclendon@nps.gov | |
| Julie Osterkamp, BLM, josterkamp@blm.gov | |
| Justin Boeck, BLM, jboeck@blm.gov |
Additional Resources
BLM CO Gunnison Sage Grouse Habitat Areas | BLM GBP Hub (arcgis.com)