EDITOR, Lander Journal
453 Main Street
Lander, WY 82520

In response to the article "Ranchers Lash Out at BLM" I offer the following comments.

Managing Public Lands is NOT a "privilege" of the BLM as one rancher stated; it is a mandate ordered by the Congress of the United States as the voice of the citizenry asked. BLM has the DUTY and RESPONSIBILITY of managing the public lands on behalf of the citizens of the United States, not solely for the benefit of the ranching community. The BLM's responsibility demands the consideration of the good health of the ecosystem, the wildlife, hunting, and multiple use thereof in a BALANCED use of the public lands. BLM was established many years ago to control over grazing that was getting out of hand back in its beginning. Public lands do not belong only to the residents of the west; these lands belong to the citizens of all states of the nation.

The ranchers imply that BLM gave them only 8 days to remove their cattle from the grazing allotment. Mr. Kelly informed all individuals attending the final tour of the allotment that he expected to have his final decision ready on August 3rd and that anyone was free to call his office for updates; his letter of "Notice of Final Decision" was dated August 4, 2001. The Conservancy received the notice on the 7th of August and that decision stated the cattle were to be removed by August 22nd; that is 14 days notice, not eight. Furthermore, the ranching community has been kept informed through various meetings and tours of the Green Mountain Common allotment as to the conditions and needs at hand.

The article states that one rancher claims there has been sufficient rain on the grazing area; the fact of the matter is that extended drought conditions exist and that rainfall is below normal. That coupled with the reduced snow cover and consequently greatly reduced run off certainly contribute to build the drought condition. Just how full is Lander's reservoir? Someone is blind to the conditions at hand. The lack of understanding of nature and the cycle of life among the ranching community is amazing. And, if it is not the lack of understanding it is down right greed and disrespect of the land.

In further statements the ranching community seems to want exhibit their innate inability to properly manage grazing on public lands by showing a "Care less" attitude for the condition of the rangelands or its ability to support live stock grazing. Slash, burn, and destroy appears to be the mindset of the ranching community. We wonder why the private lands of the rancher looks so much better than our public lands.

Ranchers are cutting their own throats by not taking into consideration needs of the health and welfare of the rangelands. There is a rising tide calling for the end of livestock grazing on public land and the Conservancy of the Phoenix has not been a party to, nor has it supported such efforts; however, we are now beginning to understand why this tide is rising. Every point put forth by the ranchers in the article serves only to support the argument that ranching is not an economically feasible operation in the west unless the nation sacrifices its public lands for the benefit of a few, at the expense of the hunters, the wildlife, the land, and the public who cares for the well being of all.

Does anyone recall the dust bowl of the 1930's? Ranching as it is being carried out is killing the ecosystem of the public lands. The wetland and riparian areas of the Red Desert are being destroyed and that in itself will bring an end to the ranching operations because there will be nothing left to graze, nor will there be any antelope or grouse to hunt, or Eagles to fly free.

We, as the interested public and co-owners of the public lands are not willing to sacrifice these lands for the benefit of a few. We recognize the EQUAL rights of the ranching community, but see no priority claims; good stewardship of the land works for the benefit of all parties. BLM has made the CORRECT decision and is thereby protecting future of ranching and grazing on public lands. Ranching practices MUST change or ranching use of public lands will cease as a result of it own actions.

The Conservancy of the Phoenix, Inc. strongly supports the decision of the Lander BLM office and will join forces with other conservation organizations to do what is needed to bring recovery to the public lands. The Lander BLM office and its manager Mr. Jack Kelly are to be commended for having the courage to stand strong and properly address the problem of destruction of public lands habitat.

Reginald D. Atkins
President
Conservancy of the Phoenix, Inc.
A 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation.