12/08/05 Sagebrush rangeland, part two

Yesterday we told you that BLM is working with scientists to save and restore 130 million acres of sagebrush rangeland in parts of southern Idaho, southeastern Oregon, northern Nevada and western Utah. BLM's Mike Pellant knows there are many different plants, weeds, invasive species and animals in that area we call the Great Basin. PELLANT "What we're trying to do it replicate these studies over a large area within the Great Basin so that the results will have meaning not just where an individual study was done but will have application across all of the sagebrush lands in the Great Basin." Pellant says by looking at treatments, mechanical, herbicides or fire, they can see how native plants and wildlife respond and they can look at cost versus benefit. PELLANT "BLM is doing that out of their budget to help assist the scientists that will then be doing the research and come up with the best management practices to apply so it's truly a good linkage between the BLM and other states. The Forest Service is providing some sites as well." Pellant says land managers are always concerned about the spread of cheat grass on these rangelands but he says in many areas weeds are now beginning to crowd out the cheat grass. Today's Idaho Ag News Bill Scott