Home on the Range –What Type of Livestock Graze on National Forests and Grasslands?
Cow herd is tended on the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest in Arizona. The Ranch was a recent winner of the Forest Service’s Outstanding Rangeland Management External Partner Award. (Photo Credit: Photo taken by Wink Crigler for X Diamond Ranch)
When thinking about national forests and grasslands, your thoughts may at first focus on the incredible abundance of recreation opportunities, wilderness and solitude or perhaps the precious water resources that flow from forest to faucet. But did you know that livestock grazing is also permitted?
Since the agency’s creation in 1906, Congress has authorized regulated grazing through permits. In fact, you’ll find many types of livestock – bison, burros, cattle, donkeys, goats, horse, mules and sheep – grazing on individual national forests or grasslands across the country as part of the Forest Service multiple-use mission. Within U.S. borders, 36 percent of land is considered to be rangelands with 53 percent of western lands considered rangelands. The U.S. Forest Service manages approximately 75 million acres of rangelands, mostly in the West.
Grazing permits allow individuals or organizations the privilege to graze their livestock on a particular forest or grassland based on meeting certain requirements. Individual forests determine what uses are feasible and appropriate for different areas through land management plans.
“I’ve worked with many permit holders who are incredibly grateful for the opportunity to graze their animals on public lands to support their livestock operations,” said Annette Joseph, the Forest Service National Program Manager for Rangelands Management. “Livestock grazing at an appropriate level is part of our mission to support the economic vitality and quality of life in rural America while at the same time ensuring other sustainable and compatible uses.”
Grazing management on rangelands today is a collaborative effort involving landowners, land managers, permit holders, universities, other agencies and the public. More information is available here on cooperative use projects and success stories and managing rangelands together.
I strenuously oppose grazing by private ranchers on public lands. Scientists and environmentalists agree that this wrong-headed and politically motivated practice ignores science and ecology. Grazing animals, particularly cattle, destroy wildlife and bird habitat, pollute streams and rivers, and deplete the soil. Of course, ranchers are grateful for the free handouts to support their fortunes. Responsible and reputable environmental, wildlife, and conservation organizations all oppose this practice. That the USDA is smugly congratulating itself in this announcement merely indicates how corrupt it is. Shame on you!
In the past it has been stated that the cost of range restoration exceeds the income from fees charged. Is this still true? What are the charges for animal pastured?
Ellen Goodman: You’re kidding right? are you not aware of the benefits that animals have for land? Without animal grazing Forest fires would increase dramatically. You’re worried about the wildlife and bird habitats? Think about what would be left if they all burnt to the ground because it was dry. Think about that the next time you decide to put something negative about animal grazing.
Grazing on public lands is critical for the health of the land. No grazing would result in excessive buildup of fuels that would create extreme fire hazards (most forests without logging are a prime example!). Proper grazing along with proper rest is beneficial for the grass and the soil. Complete rest (or excessive grazing) is detrimental. And it is not a free handout to ranchers. The ranchers pay for the grazing and spend their own money to maintain fences, water developments, and other improvements that all belong to the national government. Thanks especially to the water developments, wildlife habitat has been improved in many areas. The cost of managing the land by the gov’t agencies has been driven up drastically in past years due to lawsuits from radical environmental organizations focused on log-jamming the system with paperwork.