07/11/05 New grazing rule coming soon

American Rancher July 11, 2005 The Bureau of Land Management recently published its final environmental impact statement on proposed revisions to federal land grazing regulations that were implemented during the Clinton administration. The new regulation will be in place later this month. BLM Director Kathleen Clarke, says the proposals will help improve working relationships with grazing permit holders. Clarke: "They rely on those land for their livelihood and they realize that if they don't take care of it, it won't produce for their interests or anyone else's. So with BLM being a rather small agency with an absolutely huge mission and millions of acres to take care of, it seems logical to us that we ought to embrace the other stewards who are out there on the land and have an interest in its health and productivity." The regulation will allow permit holders or lessees to share title to range improvements. And Tom Dyer, a BLM Deputy Assistant Director, says the regulations will continue the role of BLM's Resource Advisory Councils. Dyer: "They are involved in the process. Their voice, their comments are incorporated into our documents and into how we graze. That information is taken right into our process." The National Cattlemen's Beef Association and the Public Lands Council says they are encouraged that the Department of Interior has recognized the need for greater balance among the multiple uses recognized on BLM lands. They say that 40 percent of Western beef cattle spend some time grazing on public lands. I'm Bob Hoff.