DO. NOT. WAIT. Start talking with your range cons now to make a plan for the summer. Right now, I’m sure we are all doing the same thing: watching every long-range forecast, looking over our livestock, and checking the pastures to see what forage survived the winter. Despite the cold, now is the time to look ahead and make a plan for how you’ll handle another potentially dry summer. If you’re like me, turnout is only a few weeks away. For others, it might be a couple months in the future. Either way, the time to plan is now. Agency personnel want to hear from you. When you are looking out into the fog (or in our case, the dust) trying to see ahead for the coming year, always remember our old “friend” NEPA.
ACTION ITEMS
Before calling your range con, write down the answers to these questions for yourself: • Are your livestock in the condition you want? • Are your livestock still showing the effects of last year’s drought? • How does your pasture look? • Did you get timely moisture last season? Any fall moisture in the ground? • Do you have carry-over forage or are you counting on spring growth to sustain you? • Are you looking to lease pasture? • Are you changing your rotation to access adequate forage at the start of the season? • What is your plan if we don’t get more rain this summer? Most importantly:
• Are you making changes to your grazing plan, planning to haul water into new areas, adding a supplement to your program, or making other changes that will require a new NEPA?
If you don’t like the answers to any or all of those questions, it is past time to start a discussion with your local agency people. This is particularly crucial if you are in need of a new NEPA. Make your first call today.
TELL US WHAT’S HAPPENING ON THE GROUND
Have you made voluntary changes to your grazing operations in order to ensure your livestock AND the land remain healthy during severe drought conditions? Click the form below and tell us. Your personal details will not be shared.
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/17ZOxtaDTgsUP5uvf7n0W5nf8un1UsYTuij2jEcXutv0/edit It is up to us - the ranching community - to step up and direct our own future. It can be done; it has been done and there are people who can help you get started. PLC is always on watch for offices that make blanket changes and adjustments in stocking levels and/or turnout and removal dates. The best defense is a good offence - and a plan for how to meet challenges head on. That plan begins, and relies on, good communication with your agency. Your future is in your hands. Are you going to direct it or are you just along for the ride?
Niels Hansen, Public Lands Council President
LEARN MORE: https://publiclandscouncil.org/commentperiods/ https://publiclandscouncil.org/plc-events/ www.progressiverancher.com
A weekly analysis of western ranching politics brought to you by the Public Lands Council In the Administration: PLC Comments 30x30 Atlas Proposal
PLC remains engaged in the Administration’s proposal to conserve 30 percent of America’s lands and waters by 2030. This week, PLC submitted comments on behalf of our state and national affiliates on the Administration’s America the Beautiful campaign “Atlas” call for information. The Atlas is intended to be the administration’s tool to track progress under 30x30. PLC believes the Atlas needs to recognize the good work ranchers already do, be flexible enough to change with needs over time, and avoid an approach that favors preservation over conservation.
This conversation is far from over; PLC requested the administration hold direct stakeholder engagement. Read PLC’s request here: https://f iles.constantcontact.com/51cf4e1c701/7929fecb-2017-41d4-b39fe9f15ed50720.pdf Executive Director Kaitlynn Glover also joined RFD TV’s Suzanne Alexander this week to highlight the role of grazing in landscape conservation and discussed PLC’s role in reminding the administration that success under 30x30 requires the leadership and engagement of public lands ranchers.
In Congress: Funding the Government before the Deadline!
In the late hours of March 10, the Senate took the final step to approve an omnibus appropriations spending bill for the remainder of Fiscal Year 2022 (FY22). Why is this important to PLC members? The bill contained a number of PLC priorities, not the least of which was continued inclusion of a provision that allows western states and private partners the flexibility to conduct successful conservation of sage brush habitat without the threat of an Endangered Species Act listing for the Greater Sage Grouse. Glover joined industry leaders, stakeholders, and representatives of rural America in acknowledging the hard work of many Members of Congress protect these conservation efforts.
“Voluntary” Permit Retirement Bill Reintroduced - Oppose Now!
Representatives Adam Smith (WA) and Jared Huffman (CA) have reintroduced the ill-advised Voluntary Grazing Permit Retirement Act (H.R. 6935) www.congress.gov/117/bills/hr6935/BILLS-117hr6935ih.pdf The bill would force the Secretaries of Agriculture and Interior to permanently retire federal grazing permits that are waived by a permittee for any reason. Despite false claims that the bill “increases flexibility for federal grazing permittees”, the bill puts a dangerous tool in the hands of activists who want nothing more than to eliminate livestock grazing.
Permanent retirement of grazing permits takes management tools away from local land managers. Protecting livestock grazing is more important than ever before as we work to make landscapes more resilient to drought, wildfire, and other threats. Tell your delegation to oppose H.R. 6935, the “Voluntary” Grazing Permit Retirement Act today! The Progressive Rancher
APRIL 2022
31
