07/13/06 BLM publishes grazing rules

The BLM has published a new set of grazing regulations. Collectively known as a final rule, the new regulations are aimed at improving the BLM's management of western public lands grazing. The BLM says the regulatory changes which appeared in final form yesterday in the Federal Register seek to improve the BLM's relationship with ranchers, while conserving rangeland resources and making the system work more efficiently. BLM Deputy Director Jim Hughes says environmental and livestock groups had input on the new rules. But so did local governments who wanted the BLM to know that their decisions do drive cattlemen off the range and out of business. HUGHES -"Our rules should not be unneedlessly forcing people off their ranches." Hughes says many times the private ranch land that is sold is land that is in riparian areas, along rivers and streams. That farm land is then divided and subdivided and lost as housing projects, ranchettes and resorts are built. HUGHES -"In order to maintain open space, those areas for wildlife to reach water, to avoid that urban interface in many of our rural areas, it made sense to try to help those ranchers stay in business." The blm.gov website will put you in touch with more final rule info, a question and answer section and a factsheet. Today's Idaho Ag News Bill Scott