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Show V' - PAGE 23 THE ZEPHYR AUGUST 1994 I'S i 5 to state that the FmHA study "proves just how bad Rangeland Reform '94 is." The UCA left out a few other tacts about foe FmHA issue, before it raised foe specter of massive defaults an FmHa loans. The figures dted were for a study which covered four states induding Colorado. In Colorado, according to foe Department of Agriculture, there are 27,284 ranchers and 1,272 of those borrow from Fin HA. 85 of those hold public land grazing pgrmn and 38 of the 85 would be affected by the grazing fee proposal. The problem is that the livestock industry leaders exped the public to provide a subsidy so livestock a that not business will fell, no matter how marginal the operation, or how single great much environmental damage foe operation causes. 1 don't know what foe default rate is for other businesses. But even if the figures he UCA touts are true, it does not seem that it is "Widespread Ranch Bankruptcy if 40 out of 27,000 ranchers in Colorado are affected. Verdure drainage in the Abajo mountains. Instead foe agency now dans to cut vegetation down with a huge rubber tired mower. San Juan County appealed the decision, apparently because it wants the chainingroUerchopping to proceed. The County's appeal document indicates an overall concern that members of foe public not sitting on file San Juan County commission may have had input in the decision making process. Cowponds. Predator Killers on USFS land. The Forest Service is accepting comments on its proposal to grant responsibility for decision making about killing predators to protect domestic livestock on file National Forests over to the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service-AnimDamage Control Unit (ADC). In 1992, the Forest Service entered an agreement with ADC which reduced the USES's responsibility for making decisions about predator killing on foe National Forests without providing public involvement as required when agency rules are changed. This latest action, published in file Federal Register on June 13, 1994, is foe USFS's response to public pressure to follow the proper procedure with this policy change. The danger with this proposal is that ADC, not the Forest Service, will be responsible for preparing environmental analysis and decisions about predator "control on National Forests. ADC should be eliminated, not given control over decisions affecting National Forests. The Forest Service should be making the derisions, and foe Forest Service's appeal process should be available for citizens to challenge predator control decisions. To comment an the project write the : Director, Wildlife, Rsh & Rare Plants Staff (2650), Forest Service, USDA. PO Comments must be received in writing by August 12. BOX 96090, Washington, DC 20090-609- is considering a proposal to build 12 reservoirs for cows in the Dolores Triangle near Granite Geek. At this time it appears the project is directed towards moving cows into The BLM upland areas currently not utilized. The EIS which accompanies the Babbitt grazing "reform" proposal states that upland areas which receive less than 12 inches of rain heal very slowly, if at all, when disturbed. The Dolores triangle received less than 12 indies of rain in three of file last 6 years (these figures are not site specific for foe reservoir sites). The BLM has agreed to provide a 30 day comment period on the project To get on the mailing list call Raymond Carling, 259-819- 3. Canyonlands ORVs. The Park Service has conducted a new study comparing water pools which vehides drive through with those free from ORVs On addition to an earlier study which found ORV damage in upper Salt Cfeek). The results are not surprising: there is a greater diversity of invertebrates and more of them in foe pools which are not disturbed. Canyonlands National Park continues to let 4WDs drive through the Salt Creek riparian area and pods. ORVs in foe Swell vehide plan The San Rafael BLM Resource Area has mapped out a proposed draft for the San Rafael Swell At this time the agency intends to leave open a spaghetti plate full of The' agency is also proposing to designate ORV "play areas, which will serve as roads. sacrifice areas. At this time the BLM says it lacks funds to mark areas which are dosed to ORVs by this plan. However, it does intend to spend money to mark a new San Rafael ORV trail which will connect foe northeast comer of the Swell with the Kokopelli trail in Moab. The BLM tried to get this orv off-ro- v ad trail marked a few years ago but then District Manager Roger Zortman agreed the agency was violating NEPA by expending money for the trail without first allowing public comment or conducting an environmental analysis. The ORV trail seemed dead till now. 4. To comment on or request a copy of foe plan, call Tom Gnojeck, 637-458- . i Missiles over Moab: Legislation and New Drop Zones The Department of Defense is quietly toiling in its effort to shoot missiles from Green River Utah to White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico. Each launch would eject a 1,100 pound 13 foot long metal canister into one of two drop zones on foe east or north boundary of Canyonlands National Park. Last year Utah Representative Karen Shepherd secured a one year moratorium against these tests. This year she has succeeded in gaining a permanent ban against foe project in the US House of Representatives and her work is now bring considered by the Senate. The military should release an amendment to its earlier draft EIS by the first of August. It is expected they will propose different drop zone locations. The Defense Department currently is promising to hold another Moab hearing. A KSL news poll found 59 of Utahns oppose the project, with 28 in support The project would bring no permanent jobs to Utah and would require that several roads be temporarily and 313 for the shots. dosed, including In southeastern Utah, 63 of residents oppose the missiles and 27 are in favor. Our Congressional Representative, Bill Orton, has not taken a position on foe project 70 i - S .v 4 Speaking of Wild Willie The League of Conservation Voters scorecards the environmental voting records US Representatives and Senators. The higher the percentage foe more often the official voted in favor of the environment. The average score for the Senate is 46, and 55 for the House. Utah officials scored as follows: Senator Hatch: 13 Senator Gam: 13 Representative Shepherd: 100 (Shepherd tied with 8 other reps for the best voting record in the 435 member House.) Representative Hansen: 5 (Hansen tied with 5 other reps for foe worst record) Representative Orton 30 Citizen's Appeal on Predator Killers on BLM land. The Moab BLM distrid recently issued a decision to continue to allow the federally funded Animal Damage Control to kill predators to protect domestic livestock grazing on public land. Some Moab residents have appealed that decision, in an effort to protect wildlife. Thanks. al 0. Don't Fence Me in: Bragging on 1993 Every year BLM lists its accomplishments on the 22,147,772 acres of land it manages in Utah. In 1993, the agency's grazing program accomplished foe following: Water developments: 116 miles of water pipelines Fencing: 37 miles (Utah BLM land total is now 8,169 miles of fence) Land Treatments: 4,027 acres (includes plowing, juniper chaining, seeding, spraying, prescribed burns. For example, BLM recently poisoned sage brush by aerial spraying at the comer of U 95 and 261 on Cedar Mesa). 674,904 acres have been "treated" in Utah to date. Five for Me and One for You: The BLM's most recent estimate for the grazing capacity of Utah public lands: 1,331,000 animal unit months for domestic livestock 251,528 animal unit months for wildlife. Scott Groene is a staff attorney for the Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance's Moab office. Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance 1471 South 1 100 Ea. Sill Lake City. Utah Yes! I want to join the Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance. d will receive the quarterly newsletter and periodic $35 $50 Q I bulletins: J $25 In addition to my dues, I would like to make a contribution $25 3 Here is my annual dues payment for which action-oriente- LI X4 1 $100 in the amount of: $250 $ Name Address . State City Phone: ( Zip ) All dues and contributions are to the extent allowed by law. f San Juan County appeal on Verdure The Forest Service has altered an earlier plan to chain or roller chop vegetation in the other than the fact that it's Dog Days of Hey Josie, 4 i if t- Summer , what are two dogs doing in i. i I a ii 1 f M.O.M. ad? I don't know, Chewie. Maybe W it 's because some of this music makes me howl. I I SUMMER HOURS: A k f f r f ft I I Western. Plaza 2591440 b 0ffiESS0ES Monday- - Saturday: 9 AM-- 1 Sundays Noon to Close Largest selection of Native American music In SE Utah. |