Issue:
Whether the proposed amendments by the BLM help strengthen the preservation and protection of public lands that are used for livestock grazing?

Background:
The BLM proposed amendments to its regulations concerning how the agency manages livestock grazing on public lands. The purpose of the proposed amendments, as stated by the BLM, is to "improve working relations with permittees and lessees, protect the health of the rangelands, and increase administrative efficiency and effectiveness."

RtE Position:
RtE opposes the proposed amendments. They are contrary to law and BLM policy and fall short of that which is necessary to manage public lands in an environmentally sustainable and responsible manner. The proposed amendments failed to address several critical areas:

They eliminate or restrict public participation, which is directly contrary to laws enacted by Congress.

Local land managers and permittees (lease-holders) gain too much discretionary control over land management decisions.

They violate law in that they are contrary to a sustainable grazing policy.

The amendments do not address several critical areas for which BLM received comment during an earlier scoping process including: grazing fees, monitoring of grazing leaseholds, and water-rights development.

Update:
In February 2004, RtE commented on the proposed amendments. The BLM has indicated that it intends to issue a Final Environmental Impact Statement regarding the amendments in September. RtE intends to comment on the FEIS.

Links:

BLM_GrazingRegLetter.doc.pdf

Rock the Earth letter of February 29, 2004, to the Bureau of Land Management, commenting on the Proposed Rule Amendments.

fr08de03-16.pdf

December 8, 2003 Federal Register

http://www.ncseonline.org/NLE/CRSreports/Agriculture/ag-12.cfm

Survey of Grazing Programs in the Western United States

http://rangenet.org/directory/schneiderg/2002report/

An Assault on Biodiversity in the Name of Wildlands and Habitat Preservation (Feb. 25, 2002)