May 2012
Volume 7, Issue 1
EDITOR’S NOTE This is the latest issue of Chimney Rock Chronicles, brought to you by The Newport and Gem State Miner Newspapers. Anyone with comments, suggestions or submissions is encouraged to contact our offices at 509-4472433, e-mail theminer@povn. com or mail to P.O. Box 349 Newport, WA 99156. The Miner staff enjoys producing this quarterly newsletter, as it gives us a chance to focus on what is happening around Priest Lake. We maintain our unbiased point of view and want to focus on news stories and events that affect the community of Priest Lake. -Michelle Nedved, Editor
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Photograph compliments of Tom Holman Northwest Images
Decision for Priest Lake Grazing Allotments PRIEST LAKE – After more than five years of analysis and working with the public, the Priest Lake Ranger District has reached a decision about grazing allotments. Over the next five years, cattle and horse grazing will be phased out at the Four Corners allotment, located 11 miles north of Priest River. The area has become more residential over the years. Grazing will continue, but on smaller acreages at Lamb Creek and Moore’s Creek located east and southeast of Priest Lake. “This decision strikes the best balance between natural resource health and the needs of local land owners and ranchers,” district ranger Glenn Klingler said. “Our specialists have studied each allotment and we have worked with landowners and ranchers to develop a decision that provides flexibility through adaptive management techniques so that we can adjust grazing guidelines based on the health COURTESY MAP|IDAHO PANHANDLE NATIONAL FOREST of the landscape.” The Priest Lake Grazing Allotments plan calls for phasing out grazing at Four Study of these allotments Corners, which has become more residential over the years. Allotments at was triggered when leases Moore’s Creek and Lamb Creek will be reduced in size. expired. For the first time, it was required to conduct an Lamb Creek acreage will be duced by 25 percent each year environmental analysis under reduced from 6,181 to 3,911 until 2016 when grazing will the National Environmental acres with 25 cow/calf pairs al- no longer be permitted on the Policy Act. lowed between June 1 and Oct. national forest lands there. The The ranger district completed 31. Moore’s Creek acreage will allowance starts at 50 cow/calf the Priest Lake Grazing Allotbe reduced from 2,984 to 1,925 pairs. ment Environmental Analysis acres with 31 cow/calf pairs This decision is subject to and issued a decision last week. allowed from June 1 through appeal. A written appeal must The changes will start this Oct. 2. be submitted within 45 days summer as the U.S. Forest Grazing at Four Corners following the publication date Service develops management will remain unchanged this of the legal notice, April 16. plans for the Lamb Creek and year, but beginning in 2013, Moore’s Creek allotments. The livestock numbers will be reSEE GRAZING, 5