2-25 FB Desert Crust

Another take on grazing public lands.

The recent decision by Judge Edward Lodge to prohibit grazing on some public lands for environmental reasons may be shaky thinking. Here’s a different perspective from Governor Otter. “For the desert to really bloom and produce, not only for grazers but for wild animals they gotta have activity. Years ago, when we had huge herds of antelope, deer and elk out in the desert, nobody limited their activities in running around, they broke up that desert. They disturbed the ground so when the rain hit and formed a chemical cap, they went along with their hooves and broke up that cap and transferred seeds, that activity alone helped the desert create all kinds of life. Absent that today, we’ve always used our herd movement our cattle to do the same thing…break up the chemical crust that’s formed up there.”