OAR 635-140-0000: Purpose

These administrative rules establish the policy of the Commission for the protection and enhancement of Greater Sage-Grouse in Oregon. The "Greater Sage-Grouse Conservation Assessment and Strategy for Oregon" (2025) (“the Strategy”) [sets population and habitat management objectives, and defines and governs the Department’s core area approach to conservation of sage-grouse in Oregon. Figure 4.1, “Oregon Sage-Grouse Core and Low-Density Habitat Map” (2023), and Section 9 (Summary and Recommendations) of the Strategy are incorporated here by reference into administrative rule. The “Oregon Sage-Grouse Core and Low-Density Habitat Map” (2023), is considered the best available science on Greater Sage-Grouse distribution, available habitat, and core area and low density areas. These rules also advance sage-grouse population and habitat protection through a mitigation hierarchy and the establishment of a mitigation standard for impacts from certain types of development actions in sage-grouse habitat. In the event of a conflict between the “Strategy” and these rules, these rules govern.