The House Subcommittee on Federal Lands recently listened to comments from a government leader, a scientist, an ag industry leader, and an environmental activist during an oversight hearing on essential role of livestock grazing on federal lands.
The hearing was held July 12. Although the committee did not take action, the hearing notice said it would examine the status of livestock grazing on public lands, the numerous environmental benefits of responsible grazing, and existing challenges facing the industry. Among those challenges are federal regulatory policies that unnecessarily restrict access to land, water, and other resources.
Idaho Lieutenant Gov. Brad Little, University of Montana Professor Dr. Dave Naugle, and Arizona Farm Bureau President Stefanie Smallhouse provided testimony emphasizing the valuable contribution public lands ranchers make to the economic viability of rural communities and the health of America’s shared natural resources.
Also speaking to the subcommittee, but against public lands grazing, was Erik Molvar, executive director of the Western Watersheds Project (WWP). In introducing himself, Molvar said, “WWP specializes in solving environmental problems caused by livestock grazing.”
In comments in clear contrast to the other presenters’, Molvar also said domestic livestock on federal grazing leases represent the most widespread cause of environmental impacts on western public lands. He noted that other causes of environmental impacts such as oil and gas development get more media attention, but added, “livestock grazing is like a slow and invisible cancer that is insidiously and inexorably killing native ecosystems over vast areas.”
Making the case in favor of grazing, Little, who appeared on behalf of the state of Idaho, the Public Lands Council, and the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, told the subcommittee, “Ranchers are indispensable in the successful management of our public lands. Unlike government administrators, who are only there for a few years, ranchers have been on the land for generations.” He added, “If ranchers are regulated off, our country loses the most effective and efficient public lands managers, and the private inholdings are likely sold for development.”
In his testimony, Naugle cited research showing sage grouse habitat has actually improved in some areas where grazing is allowed, a fact revealed when it was discovered there may have been biased field tests based on the timing of measurements in correlation to hatched nests and failed nests.
Naugle also talked about adaptive management, citing the Natural Resources Conservation Service using scientific information to modify its approach to grazing management.
Smallhouse explained her family’s experience ranching on public and private land and talked about the partnership that helps keep the landscape healthy.
“The association between cattle ranching and government-owned lands in the western U.S. is the highest and best used of those lands in assuring a complete and balanced food supply,” she said.
She cited the National Environment Policy Act (NEPA) as one of the roadblocks to improving federal lands. NEPA’s basic policy is to assure that all branches of government consider the environment prior to undertaking any major federal action that may significantly affect it, essentially requiring an environmental impact study before projects can be implemented.
Smallhouse noted a backlog of more than 160 improvement projects in just one of Arizona’s BLM field offices. She said these projects, which could be a positive benefit for land, livestock, and the public as a whole, are “sitting inactive in the NEPA process due to the tactics of environmental organizations.”
She went on to say agencies should begin cutting red tape so more time and effort is devoted to on-ground improvements. “Both Congress and the agencies need to start thinking of how to resolve this problem now. Unless solutions are found, western rangelands and the rural economy will continue to decline.”
Little provide examples of environmental wins from his state, and told the lawmakers, “I urge you to address the burdensome regulatory environment which threatens our way of life and those rural communities where ranching is the year-round backbone that sustains our schools, healthcare, and economies.” — Rae Price, WLJ editor
