Comment by Steve Erickson, Policy Administrator, Utah Audubon Council

This comment was sent by Steve Erickson to  the Morgan County Planning Commission, on behalf of the Utah Audubon Council.  In his comment, he outlines a number of reasons why 3,000 acres of land — which contain a Sage Grouse lek (breeding ground), with a second Sage Grouse lek very nearby — should not be re-designated as “Master Planned Community”  — a designation which could pave the way towards re-zoning and then development of the land. Unfortunately, the re-designation was passed on August 14, 2014 — however, the excellent points laid out by Steve Erickson and many others who sent in their comments, remain entirely valid. The Sage Grouse are a severely threatened species, and these points will need to be taken into account in the future, if the Sage Grouse in Utah are to have any chance of being protected…