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Show OCTOBER 1995 A Rancher’s Perspective on Public Lands Grazing own Aug. 21, 1995, Secretary of the Interior Bruce Babbitt implemented Rangeland Reform ‘94. This decision will place arbitrary and capricious restrictions on Bureau of Land Management grazing permit- tees, provide mittees disincentives to invest their own for permoney in the land, and much more. The end result is the disintegration of public lands grazing and the ranchers whose livelihoods are dependent on these lands. On July 27, five livestock and agriculture groups filed a suit in Federal District Court against the Dept. of Interior for misrepresenting current public land resource conditions and the impact of livestock grazing in the Rangeland Reform ‘94 regulations. The suit seeks to stop implementation of those regulations. In response to _ Babbitt’s Rangeland Reform ‘94, Sen. Pete Domenici, R-New Mexico and Congressman Wes Cooley R-Oregon, introduced their own grazing bills. On the Senate side, the bill is titled Public Rangelands Management Act (PRMA) S. 852 and on the House side, the Grazing bill is Act (LGA) titled H.R. I testified on July House Subcomittee on Livestock 1713. 11 before the Parks, Forest and Lands in support of the Livestock Grazing Act, on behalf of the Utah Cattlemen’s Association, Utah Farm Bureau Federation and the Utah Wool Growers Association. That sub- committee of the House Committee on Resources is chaired by Utah’s Innit Advertising . Makes in the Cents . November Issue RESERVATION October 12 Jim DEADLINE Hansen. 1,000 elk, more deer, many plus I stated that federal land ranchers, such as myself, feel that other forms of wildlife, such as rab- BLM, My alternative, if Rangeland Reform US and ing private units of the be ‘94 a part eco- unit and on _ their own. Presidents of all of the western state Cattlemen’s Rangeland Reform goes forward, ’94 ‘not rely upon federal forage. It stated that federal fees can not be compared to private lease rates because federal land ranchers generate less revenue per animal unit, incur higher labor and feed costs, have higher fixed costs, require a higher ratio of bulls and has a lower net operating income things. is to per animal unit, among legislation other enhancement habitat For example, I am a third-generation rancher, here in Utah. I operate vide for Rep. continued of Cooley pro- environmental all the western ranges. into 5 acre sites. in the summer ‘94, Congress must address the grazing fee issue. The present fee is in place only by Executive Order. The fee presently being considered by Congress, which I support even percent and by livestock and wildlife 30 Domenici introduced convert this valuable a is to sur- increase, provides a fair return to the United States for the forage utilized by livestock!) Phe fee rate is simple to understand, is based upon the value of cattle production reported by the is Economic Research Service and similar to the way other user industries are billed for using government resources. f adopted, it will allow the federal government to continue to fund its obligations to local governments in the west through PILT payments generated by public land grazing. A report in July 1993 to Congress and the secretaries of Interior and Agriculture by the Graduate School of Business of Pepperdine University was the most complete body of information ever assembled on the subject of ranchers utilizing federal grazing lands, compared to ranchers that do PAGE on the Current Creek Cattle allotment in the Uinta National Forest. My grandfather used this same range under a Ute Indian lease in 1895, way before the US Forest came into being. My photos of the early 1900s compared to today show that this range is in the best condition now than in any time during the century. I vive. Bankers will be more willing to finance local ranchers. Here, in Utah, approximately 24 percent of the sheep and cattle grazing takes place on federal ranges. We do not need to add to the fast growing urban sprawl now taking place in Utah. The renewable range resources need to be managed and enhanced by the agencies and ranchers for the benefit of all. The Sen. is forward, communities My alternative, if it goes ee Associations signed a letter of support recently for the Livestock Grazing Act ata meeting held in Park City. No matter what happens with the administration’s Rangeland Reform cabin grouse, etc. to convert this valuable livestock and wildlife habitat into 5 acre cabin sites. The legislation proposed by Sen. Domenici and Rep. Cooley will add stability to the tural west, allowing local interdepenupon the with little value sage hawks graz- must whole nomic are dent others bits, Forest considered though L 801-649-8046 SOON SPACE Congress- man also use the BLM ranges Since the grazing bills were introduced in Congress, a great amount of adverse publicity has been generated in the media. I am sure Congress would welcome constructive ideas from informed individuals who have ... federal land ranchers generate less revenue per animal unit, incur higher labor and feed costs, have higher fixed costs... in Uinta Basin. Livestock grazing contin- ues to be one of the most important tools available to rangeland managers to protect and enhance the environment on our public lands. Because I have had access to the public ranges, I have also improved my private ranges to make my operation a viable year-around enterprise. Take note of my 14,000 acres north of U.S. Highway 40 both 4 miles east and west of the Tabiona junction. The 5,000 acres of sagebrush control and forage reseeding, plus some 4,000 acres of chemical control of sagebrush, not only has provided a vast improvement in for- age for my livestock but is supplying winter forage and habitat for some 12 read the proposed grazing bills. encourage all readers of this essay to become more informed on the true issues and make their opinions known. Both BLM and US Forest personnel have told me it’s time to resolve the grazing of livestock on federal ranges issue and move forward with more time spent on the lands to enhance the renewable resource for our future generations. I want to get back in the saddle, care for my cattle and the environment and away from the typewriter. This will take place when Congress passes the Public Rangelands Management — By Allen E. Smith Te Act. @ |