OAR 635-140-0015: Core Area Approach to Conservation

The purpose of establishing the Department’s core area approach is to address greater sage-grouse management from a conservation biology perspective that identifies the most productive populations and habitats associated with meeting all life history needs related to ensuring sage-grouse viability in Oregon. (1) Policy 1. The Department shall develop and maintain maps that identify core area habitats necessary to conserve 90% of Oregon’s greater sage-grouse population, with emphasis on highest density and important use areas which provide for breeding, wintering and connectivity corridors. (2) Policy 2. The Department shall develop and maintain maps that identify low density habitat which provide breeding, summer, and migratory habitats of the Oregon statewide greater sage-grouse population. (3) When developing, revising, or maintaining the maps referred to in paragraphs (a) and (b) the Department will use: (a) Sage-Grouse Local Implementation Teams to evaluate the maps and refine exterior boundaries by use of aerial imagery and local knowledge of sage-grouse and sage-grouse habitat; (b) Best available science to further understanding of greater sage-grouse life history and conservation needs; and (c) County governing bodies, or their designees, to provide local knowledge and input regarding changes in local land use to be incorporated in the core area maps and any related mapping changes.