Project Overview

We designed and developed a user-friendly website for the public open comment period, making it easy for people across the country to submit feedback on the Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) land use proposals.

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Description

Challenges

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) periodically invites public comments on proposed land use amendments. However, navigating the regulations.gov website to submit comments can be a confusing and cumbersome experience for many citizens.

The Montana Wildlife Federation, a conservation nonprofit, sought to streamline this process for their supporters, specifically around the proposed amendments to protect the Greater Sage Grouse habitat. They needed a website that would simplify the comment submission process, making it easier for their supporters to learn about the amendments and submit thoughtful, well-crafted responses to the BLM.

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Solutions

We developed sagegrouse.org using Next.js for the frontend, Sanity for content management, and Supabase for the backend. The site was built to be simple yet highly functional, providing users with the information and tools they needed to participate in the public comment process.

Key features of the website include:

• Informational Pages: Detailed pages explaining the BLM's proposed amendments and their impact on sage grouse habitats, providing users with essential context.
• Example Comment Letter: A pre-written example letter that users can customize to fit their own perspective, helping them start the writing process.
• Tips for Writing Effective Comments: Practical advice on how to craft a meaningful comment letter that will be noticed by decision-makers.
• On-Site Comment Submission: Users can write and submit their comments directly on the website, removing the need to navigate external platforms.
• Document Upload: Option to upload a custom letter or supporting documents for submission.
• Direct Submission to Regulations.gov: Seamless integration with the regulations.gov API for direct submission of comments.
• Privacy Options: Users can choose to submit personal details or submit their comments anonymously, adding an extra layer of privacy.

The design of the website is clean and intuitive, focusing on making the comment submission process easy to follow. The Sanity CMS allows for ongoing content updates, ensuring the information remains accurate and timely.

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Results

Since its launch, sagegrouse.org has facilitated the submission of hundreds of unique public comments on the BLM's proposed plans. By simplifying the process, the website has effectively removed barriers to civic engagement, empowering citizens to make their voices heard on this critical conservation issue.

Through modern web technologies and thoughtful user experience (UX) design, we built a powerful platform that drives meaningful action in support of protecting sage grouse and the sagebrush ecosystem. This project demonstrates how well-designed digital tools can make a significant impact for mission-driven organizations.

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