Friends of Canyons of the Ancients National Monument

Final Grazing Recommendations
for Canyons of the Ancients National Monument

Theme: Grazing is an important part of the local culture with a century old relationship to the Monument that should be perpetuated. Grazing can also help contribute to the overall health and protection of Monument resources.

Goal: Provide for the continuation of grazing on Monument lands in a sustainable fashion, while insuring the long-term health of the land.

Objective 1: Improve communication and understanding of range standards and expectations between the BLM, allotment owners and the general public.

Management Actions

Develop an ongoing process to assure there is common understanding of and agreement on research methods, data interpretation and interpretation of rules and regulations. Involve key interested parties in this.

Develop a range advisory committee consisting of four allotment holders within the Monument and one independent range specialist chosen by the allotment holders and BLM, to work with the BLM to develop the details of the grazing plan for the monument. This committee will also serve to mitigate conflicts between the BLM, general public and allotment holders

Objective 2: Identify the true current health of the rangelands within the Monument.

Management Actions

A well- planned scientifically valid range health survey should be completed on an allotment basis. This survey should include BLM personnel, involved allotment holders, the range advisory committee, and independent range specialists as needed.

Determine range health based on the actual capabilities of the land involved. Consider knowledge of Monument allotment holders, BLM range specialists and the range advisory committee when implementing rangeland standards and guidelines.

Non-grazing factors (i.e. tamarisk, flooding, wildlife etc.) that are associated with rangeland health should be identified and factored into the survey on an allotment basis.

Objective 3: Use the information from the health survey to identify the agreed upon range land health potential of each allotment.

Management Actions

Efforts should be made to reach agreement between the BLM, the range advisory committee and allotment holders regarding the desired condition of each allotment.

The desired condition should reflect the agreed upon range land health potential of each allotment. The desired condition must be something that can be realistically achieved.

Non-grazing influences must be identified and their effects factored into the desired condition. For example, Tamarisk may prohibit Cottonwood regeneration irregardless of grazing practices.

Objective 4: Design grazing practices for each allotment that will work towards the achievement of the agreed upon range land health goals.

Management Actions

Grazing decisions should be made on allotment basis.

The BLM should consider all possible range management tools such as rest and rotation etc. Reduction of permitted numbers should not be the only solution.

The knowledge of the allotment holder and the range advisory committee should be factored into the determination of the grazing practices. Efforts should be made to avoid BLM dictation of policy without consideration of the above parties’ ideas regarding the practicality of the proposed changes within the allotment holder’s operation.

The construction of range improvements should be encouraged where they can be shown to improve grazing practices (i.e., water development outside riparian areas). In existing Wilderness Study Areas proposed developments should be carefully reviewed to determine if construction of new livestock management facilities would improve management of wilderness resources as allowed under BLM grazing regulations for wilderness and wilderness study areas.

Funding for tamarisk control and activities to reclaim prior chained areas along with other range improvement projects should be vigorously pursued.

Incentives should be given to allotment holders for range health improvements. Not all adjustments should be negative.

Permanent adjustments to either the numbers grazed or the time allowed should only be made after all other practical range improvement techniques have failed.

Objective 5: Design a practical, yet scientifically viable monitoring program for each allotment.

Management Actions

Utilize BLM staff, the allotment holders, the range advisory committee and outside sources as needed to design a monitoring system that will provide meaningful data related to the impacts of current and future grazing practices.

The monitoring system should be devised to be objective and easily understood and applied by all interested parties.

The system should be broad enough to supply needed data yet simple enough to be understood by all parties involved.

A realistic timetable should be instituted to judge the success or failure of grazing practices. Changes will show up very slowly given the climate of the Monument.

Objective 6: Attempt to mitigate conflicts with interested parties related to grazing.

Management Actions

Attempts should be made to educate interested parties regarding range land management within the Monument. Often, education related to the true health of the land, and the improvements in grazing practices will clear up potential conflicts and allow for constructive decisions related to the ultimate health of the range.

A well-planned and scientifically valid range land management plan, which is agreed upon by the BLM, range advisory committee and allotment holders, will be better able to address future concerns by other interested parties.

Objective 7: Consider local and regional economic effects of management decisions and actions regarding grazing on the Monument.

Objectives of Range Advisory Board

Coordinate with the BLM to satisfy the requirements set forth in the management plan of the Monument.

Coordinate its activities to fulfill the purposes and requirements of the Monument Management Plan, Taylor Grazing Act, Federal Land Policy and Management Act, and Public Range Improvement Act.

Advise, recommend, consult, coordinate and cooperate with Federal resource agencies, related to grazing, livestock operations, range planning and management to improve the stability of the livestock operations, improve rangeland conditions, promote watershed restoration and range land health.

Functions of Range Advisory Board

Establish and coordinate with the BLM to carry out the mandates of the grazing management plan for the Monument.

Coordinate and assist in the development and implementation of scientific and standardized range monitoring programs for each livestock operation in the Monument.

Coordinate with and assist the BLM in improving livestock operations, stewardship practices, and rangeland management and/or restoration, where necessary.

Advise and make recommendations on each grazing allotment, especially for grazing renewal or re-issuance of permits.

Composition of Range Advisory Committee

The range advisory committee should be comprised of four allotment holders within the Monument nominated by their peers, along with one independent range specialist chosen by the four above mentioned members and BLM.

The BLM will be invited to have one representative with a voice in the proceedings but no vote.

Any individual organization that may be able to provide scientific, legal or any other pertinent information will be invited to attend meetings of the range advisory committee in order to voice their concerns or advice. These parties will have a voice but no vote.

Site maintained by Sunstone Solutions.