Page 9 JULY 20,2006 THE GARFIELD COUNTY INSIDER BUM PUBLISHES NEW GRAZING REGULATIONS To Improve Management of Public Lands Grazing The Bureau of Land Management today published in final form a new set of grazing regulations that will improve the agency's management of public lands grazing. The final regulations, developed with extensive public input and supported by a detailed environmental analysis, recognize the economic and social benefits of public lands grazing, as well as its role in preserving open space and wildlife habitat in the rapidly growing West. In announcing today's action, BLM Director Kathleen Clarke said: "These new regulations are aimed at promoting more effective and efficient management of public lands grazing, which is a vital part of the history, economy, and social identity of Western rural communities." The set of new regulations, collectively known as a final "rule," appears in today's Federal Register and will take effect in 30 days. Overall, the new rule seeks to improve the BLM's working relationships with its grazing permit and lease holders; advance the BLM's efforts in assessing and protecting rangelands; and enhance administrative efficiency. The BLM proposed grazing regulation changes in the form of a proposed rule in December 2003. The agency followed up with a draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and received more than 18,000 comments on the proposed rule and draft EIS during a public comment period that expired on March 2,2004. The Bureau published its final EIS in June 2005, after which the agency announced that it would prepare an additional document (known as an addendum) to respond to comments that came in after the public comment deadline. The addendum was published on March 31,2006. Among other things, thefinalrule published today: • authorizes the BLM and a grazing permittee or lessee (or other cooperating party) to share title to future range improvements; • phases in grazing-use decreases (as well as increases) of more than 10 percent over afive-yearperiod, consistent with existing law and in full recognition of the BLM's authority to respond as necessary to drought, fire, and other resource conditions; • promotes a consistent approach by BLM managers in considering and documenting the social, cultural, and economic effects of decisions that determine levels of authorized grazing use; • removes a restriction that has limited temporary non-use of a grazing permit to three consecutive years; • requires the use of existing or new monitoring data in cases where the BLM has found, based on its initial assessment, that a grazing allotment is failing to meet rangeland health standards; • and allows up to 24 months - instead of prior to the start of the next grazing season - for the BLM to analyze and formulate an appropriate course of action in cases where grazing practices are at issue. The BLM manages more land - 261 million surface acres - than any other Federal agency. About 160 million acres of this land are authorized for grazing by more than 15,000 livestock operators. With a budget of about $1.8 billion, the BLM carries out a multiple-use mission, one that is aimed at sustaining the health and productivity of the public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations. Community Mortgage "Giving You A Better Option For Your Mortgage Needs" Free Prequalifications - Give us a call. Construction Loans Lot Loans Purchases Refinance - interest Only Loans - Investment an4 2nd Homes - Home Improvement Loans -100% Financing Wayne Ott 435-590-6082 Sherrell Ott 435-679-8671 A N T I M O N Y N E W S ...by Betty Wiley I will not mention the weather because I think the temperature gauge is broken after last weeks high. The Y outh Conference for the LDS youth will be held on Tuesday, July 18th at Snow College for youth ages 14 and up. The Ward Pioneer breakfast will be held next Monday, the 24th of July at 8:00 a.m. at the Town Park. Our speakers on Sunday were Pam Robertson, Stake Relief Society President and Craig Twitchell, member of the High Council. Our last youth to go on his mission, Elder Robert Porter, has the same address as our other missionary who also works there. Both Bryce Allen and Robert Porter are in the Ecuador Guayaquil North Mission. Attending the Gleave reunion at Pine lake last weekend, were all of the Garth Roberts family, Scott and kim Adams family, Darlene Evans and family, the Ken Roberts family, Elaine Roberts family, and the LaRell Roberts family. V aleen Roberts received the tragic news about her brother son. According to the news, he had^accidentally choked to death sometime Saturday night. The new owners of both the Tom King house and the Dave Mulvaney house have been here visiting this week. Jerry Savage has been here often, which we all enjoy. He came to bring a new Sears washer for his daughter, Tracy, as her old one quit. Cedar City isn't as far away as it used to be, and several of our local residents who have moved there, or have family working or attending school there. Attending church on Sunday was Whitney Hulet of Summit, Utah. Also, Bevan and Gayle Ipson were both visiting over the weekend, along with Shaun, Nephi, and Levi Nelson of Cedar City. Judy Zoeble gave a demonstration on upholstering chairs in our Wednesday morning Relief Society meeting. There was a lot of interest in learning how to do this work. The Mike and Natalie Porter family has gone with their children for a fun vacation before school starts, and Computer Diagnostics ^ she will have a reBoth Engine ^M port for the paper ' & Transmission ^V when they return ,-*; Custom Built _on their experiTransmission ^ ence. (Standard S Automatic) Over 200 Units in Stock Bill, Jane & in Southern Ulah Jennifer Wiley have been traversPARTS+r PLUS ing to and from the 1 Day Service (Most Cases) Hospital in Provo WE DO IT FAST!! Brakes - Tune-ups staying with Wade Belts- CV Boots during his recovOIL Cl Inspections - Clutch Jobs ery. He is improv(Most cars & light trucks) ing, but it is slow. -$25 Including Tax Jane and Jennifer : Warranty valid anywhere (Most Diesel Light Trucks) try to keep work\ in the country. -$45 Including Tax ing in Panguitch at the Hospital part time and rotate to spend time with Wade. i Mon-Sat* 7 am-10 pm Sundays • 7 am - 8 pm LENDER