Wyoming Sage-Grouse Management Policy Updated
Governor Mark Gordon signed a new executive order establishing land-use limits for Wyoming businesses and landowners.
Updated on Sept. 21, 2026 in Economic Policy
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Governor Mark Gordon signed Executive Order 2026-007 to refine sage-grouse conservation efforts across the state. This policy introduces new guidelines for surface development that impact land management across Wyoming.
Why it matters
The order is designed to preserve state management authority over the greater sage-grouse by formalizing conservation measures. These changes influence how commercial and private interests operate within identified Core Areas.
The new policy establishes a 5% surface disturbance cap in identified Core Areas. The figures represent a shift in land-use oversight for residents and businesses operating within designated sage-grouse habitats.
The players
Governor Mark Gordon
The chief executive of Wyoming responsible for state-level administrative policy and natural resource management.
The details
Executive Order 2026-007 mandates seasonal restrictions and caps on surface disturbance to balance environmental goals with economic activity. By incentivizing development outside of critical habitats, the policy aims to steer commercial land use away from protected zones. These rules replace previous executive orders to streamline regulatory compliance for stakeholders.
Timeline
September 17, 2026: Governor Gordon signed the executive order.
Money Landscape
Executive Order 2026-007 updates the framework for resource management across Wyoming's critical lands. This move maintains state-level control as an alternative to external regulatory oversight.
Landowners and business operators in Core Areas should review their development plans to ensure compliance with the new 5% surface disturbance cap. Consider consulting with a qualified legal or land-use professional to determine how seasonal restrictions affect your specific property.
The takeaway
The new management order formalizes land-use constraints for developers to ensure continued state control of sage-grouse conservation. Business owners and landowners should track the implementation of these seasonal and disturbance limits as they plan future projects.
Further reading
For more on how state regulations shape the local business environment, review the latest Economic Policy updates.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Svinews.
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