OCR Text |
Show GSENM To Reintroduce Bighorn Sheep And Pronghorn Antelope On Oct. 25, 2004, the Department of the Interior Board of Land Appeals (IBLA) ruled in favor of BLMfs decision deci-sion to reintroduce desert bighorn sheep and pronghorn antelope into their historic ranges on the Monument. The original decision was appealed by the Escalante Wilderness Project, but this recent decision by IBLA affirmed that the environmental envi-ronmental analysis was properly prepared, sufficient, and the issues identified with the re-introduction re-introduction proposal were adequately ade-quately addressed in regard to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). This finding now allows for the Monument, in partnership with the Utah Department of Wildlife Resources and Foundation for North American Wild Sheep, to continue the program pro-gram of returning these two native big game animals to their historic ranges. Successful releases of these two animals were conducted during 1999 and 2000 in the Clarks Bench and Smokey Mountain areas of the Monument. It is anticipated that future releases will take place in these same locations in the near future as the areas have proven to be excellent habitat for these animals. |