Grazing Decision

BLM officials sent me a copy of the grazing decision for the Round Mountain Grazing Allotment as an interested party of record. My land is located within this allotment. The BLM has denied the lease holder Jon Stone use of the range this year. Although the BLM has determined the land has recovered sufficiantly from the Willow Fire to support grazing, access to the lease was denied due to multiple cuts in the cattle allotment fences and the need for extensive repairs.

Concerns by the USFS officials addressing cattle "drift" onto SBNF lands were a major factor in this decision. A Government field survey concluded damage from OHV users was evident and widespread according to the Notice of Final Grazing Decision dated 3/1/04. "Fence cutting by OHV riders" is rampant despite the construction of cattle guards at key locations to discourage such behavior.

The cattle allotment fence behind my place has been intentionaly cut by OHV riders twice since January. Both times motorcycle tracks were evident going through the cut. I have also found recent cuts along the BLM/USFS boundry fence along 3N59A at the terminus of the J1299 route complex. "Good fences make good neighbors" is how the old saying goes. It seems like some local OHV riders have no intention of being respectful. We will continue our vigilance.