Governor Gordon Signed New Sage-Grouse Management Order
The executive order establishes strict surface disturbance caps to conserve the greater sage-grouse in Wyoming.
Updated on Sept. 21, 2026 in Economic Policy
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Governor Mark Gordon has signed Executive Order 2026-007 to modernize sage-grouse management across Wyoming. The policy establishes specific habitat protections while aiming to retain state authority over the species.
Why it matters
The order serves to balance economic interests with environmental conservation by focusing development efforts outside of critical habitats. It seeks to ensure that the state maintains primary management control over the greater sage-grouse population.
Executive Order 2026-007 mandates a 5% surface disturbance cap within designated Core Areas. The regulation also implements seasonal restrictions to further protect the greater sage-grouse.
The players
Mark Gordon
Mark Gordon is the Governor of Wyoming who signed Executive Order 2026-007.
The details
The directive establishes clear guidelines for land use to protect the greater sage-grouse while incentivizing economic development in regions outside of critical habitats. By formalizing these restrictions, the administration intends to preserve the bird's ecosystem while navigating federal land management policies.
Timeline
Governor Gordon signed the executive order on September 17, 2026.
Macro View
Executive Order 2026-007 continues the state's longstanding approach to land management that prioritizes local governance over federal oversight. This mirrors past economic cycles where Wyoming sought to protect its specific natural resources through rigorous, state-led regulatory frameworks.
Landowners and businesses operating in designated Core Areas may face new limitations on surface activities and seasonal work schedules. These regulations could influence long-term land-use planning and operational costs for those in affected sectors.
The takeaway
The implementation of this order highlights the state's ongoing commitment to balancing habitat preservation with local industrial needs. Residents and stakeholders should review the updated Core Area maps to understand how these restrictions may apply to their property.
Further reading
For more on state-level regulatory changes, see the Economic Policy section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Svinews.
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