Livestock grazing has been denied on about 16,500 acres of land in the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest in the eastern Sierra Nevada. The U.S. Forest Service (USFS) denied grazing on account of the forest containing habitat for the bi-state greater sage-grouse, Sierra Nevada bighorn sheep and Lahontan cutthroat trout.
USFS was reviewing whether or not to convert four inactive sheep grazing allotments south of Bridgeport, CA, to two allotments for cattle grazing. Grazing for sheep was no longer authorized due to potential disease transmission to the endangered Sierra Nevada bighorn sheep. If approved for cattle grazing, the two converted allotments could hold up to about 1,300 pairs.
The land within the project area has not been grazed by livestock since 2009.
In November, Bridgeport District Ranger Megan Mullowney selected a “no action” alternative for the proposed plan, which will not allow the conversion of the allotments.
“The analysis confirmed that while placement of the three water developments needed in the Dunderberg allotment could avoid being within 2 miles of an active lek and outside riparian conservation areas, none could be placed the minimum of 0.6 miles from a riparian area to meet the (Greater Sage-grouse Bi-state Distinct Population Segment Forest Plan Amendment),” Mullowney wrote.
She also said that while effects from authorizing cattle grazing would not rise to a significant level that would warrant further analysis in an environmental impact statement, effects would still occur. This includes effects on the endangered Sierra Nevada bighorn sheep, endangered Sierra Nevada yellow-legged frog and the threatened Yosemite toad. In addition, roughly 18,000 acres of bi-state sage-grouse habitat are included within the project area.
Furthermore, “I cannot dismiss the potential for cattle grazing that can contribute additional levels of fecal coliform to the watershed to further affect impaired resources downstream,” she wrote.
In addition, she expressed concern with the federally-listed whitebark pine being trampled by cattle.
She continued that steep slopes, lack of water and lack of forage production at high elevations limit the area that is capable of supporting cattle grazing. “If the three proposed water developments in the Dunderberg allotment, which require a Forest Plan amendment, are not authorized, the allotment cannot support livestock grazing,” Mullowney wrote. “Eliminating the Dunderberg Allotment altogether in response to this concern would further reduce the available capable grazing acres of the project area.”
In finalizing her decision to choose a “no action” alternative, she concluded, “I have decided the protection of threatened and endangered species populations and habitats as well as water resources provided by (National Forest System) lands in the project area is of far greater relative value to the American public than the potential benefits realized from livestock production.”
The Center for Biological Diversity praised USFS’ decision. “We’re thrilled the Forest Service rejected this ill-conceived proposal to allow cattle grazing on these public lands,” said Lisa Belenky, senior counsel at the Center for Biological Diversity. “It would’ve put rare animals at risk, polluted clean mountain streams and harmed riparian areas and recreation.”
Western Watersheds Project also celebrated the decision. “The Forest Service made the correct decision to conserve these popular public lands and the wilderness area free from commercial livestock grazing,” said Laura Cunningham, California director at Western Watersheds Project. “These Eastern Sierra landscapes are very biodiverse, and we are pleased the Lahontan cutthroat trout will have clean streams, and whitebark pine and other native species will be able to thrive here.” — Anna Miller, WLJ managing editor
