WOC Launches New Grazing Program

by Phil Riddle

The Wyoming Outdoor Council recognizes that improper livestock grazing endangers the integrity of natural systems. When substantial information shows that livestock grazing on public lands isnegatively affecting any of Wyoming’s natural systems, WOC may initiate andparticipate in legitimate actions that will seek to protect, restore andenhance the integrity of those natural systems.

By adopting this policy statement, the Wyoming Outdoor Council has taken the first step toward launching a new program to address the negative effects of improper public-lands livestock grazing on the health and welfare of Wyoming’s environment. This policy clearly expresses our conviction that our state’s pristine water bodies and the habitat of some endangered and high-profile wildlife species must not be compromised by improper livestock grazing.

You, our members, have told us that wildlife is your number-one priority, but without good habitat, there’s little that can be done for wildlife. Our new program will use the democratic process to reform federal and state grazing policies that currently permit a number of ranchers to damage native animal and plant communities, pollute streams and diminish hunting, fishing and other recreation opportunities on large areas of public lands within our state.

Launching a new program to address overgrazing is a big step for us, one that certainly will not be popular with some segments of our state’s population. After all, Wyoming is the Cowboy State and to suggest that all cowboys don’t wear white hats is a sacrilege. But to avoid the issue of overgrazing and its environmental consequences, when substantial information from across the state, the West and the country recognizes the problem, is a failure to address our organization’s mission and the trust that our members and other conservationists have placed in our hands.

If done properly, some amount of livestock grazing can be tolerated on some, but not all, public lands. In fact, throughout the process of developing our grazing policy, board and staff noted that some of Wyoming’s landowners are working hard to be responsible public-lands grazers, and can serve as models for those who fail to use responsible, resource-conserving grazing practices.

So, what is WOC planning to do about improper livestock overgrazing? First, we are contacting federal land managers and requesting that WOC be involved in various decision-making processes dealing with livestock grazing management.

We have also offered legal assistance to citizens who support a decision by the Lander office of the BLM regarding a grazing allotment management plan for the Green Mountain area near Jeffrey City. Grazers on the Green Mountain Common Allotment, like many others in the state, have paid little attention to the distribution of cattle and their impacts on riparian areas and other sensitive parts of the allotment.  The Lander BLM’s new management plan requires livestock herding to minimize environmental damage. Some of the Green Mountain permittees oppose the plan because, as one is reported to have said, "If we have to cow-sit all the time, we will not get anything else done." WOC believes that if herding cattle can control improper livestock grazing and bring damaged land back to healthy condition then grazers should be willing — and required — to do it. After all, these are YOUR PUBLIC LANDS.

We will look for similar opportunities to offer support to land-management agencies that have been intimidated by special interests for making decisions based on science rather than politics. Over the last several decades, relentless pressure by irresponsible public-lands ranchers and their allies in the Wyoming Legislature and the U.S. Congress has prompted some agency personnel to avoid clashes with these powerful interests by making decisions based solely on sustaining a segment of our culture which in some cases is taking a terrible toll on wildlife and the environment. It simply can’t continue if Wyoming is to conserve its abundant wildlife, beautiful scenery and a clean environment.

Taking on this important issue means negotiating a number of political land mines generously scattered in our path. We trust that all of you will support our efforts, and look forward to working with you to protect Wyoming’s natural bounty.