Wednesday, August 1, 2007

Grazing logic is off the mark

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The attempt by ranchers and Idaho politicians, and government agencies, to use the Murphy Complex fire to promote increased livestock use on public lands is another example of well-connected ranchers promoting their own agendas at the expense of the public.

The grazing of livestock on these lands over the last 100 years is largely responsible for the degradation of the native grass component of the sagebrush steppe plant community and its replacement by explosively flammable non-native cheat grass and other exotic species. In addition, as much as 50 percent of the burned area has been converted for grazing to crested wheat grass, a flammable non-native grass that by August, even in a wet year, resembles and burns like a field of upright matches.

These grasses provide the starter fuel for fires. The circular logic that says we should use livestock, which caused the problem, to solve the problem is disingenuous at best. If the BLM and our politicians want to address this problem, they will eliminate livestock use, appropriate money and promote the restoration of native grasses and other plants on these degraded lands.

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Kelley Weston

Hailey