RENO, Nev. (AP) — Advocates of protecting sage grouse habitat across the West say new research shows visitors to western federal rangelands with significant tracts of sagebrush pumped more than $1 billion into the economy last year.

The Pew Charitable Trusts says the study released Tuesday is the first of its kind to examine the direct and indirect economic impacts of recreation spending tied to U.S. Bureau of Land Management property with habitat for sagebrush-dependent species.

The report by ECONorthwest (ECK'-oh-nohrth-wehst) says hunters, campers, fishermen and others directly spent more than $623 million within 50 miles of relevant BLM property across more than 61 million acres in 11 states.

Idaho led the way with $126 million, followed by Nevada, $88 million; Wyoming $87 million; Oregon, $75 million; Colorado, $50 million; and Utah, $39 million.

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