I have received 4 messages regarding draft policies from the Sierra Club's
Grazing Task Force.  Please take the time to read them and comment if you
wish.  Forwarded by Jane Clark at [log in to unmask]
===================================================

Subject: Grazing information: Draft grazing Policy #1

From: Betsy Gaines <[log in to unmask]>

Dear grazing activists and interested volunteers:

The Grazing Task Force is inviting all of you to comment on the following
draft policies that we have been working on for the BOD, CGC and CCL.

This is the first of three e-mails. Each e-mail (entitled: Grazing
information: Draft grazing policy #1, Draft grazing policy #2, Draft
Grazing Policy #3) contains a draft policy that reflects differing points
of view on the task force. Hopefully with your input, we can put forth two
policies for the BOD to vote on in May.

Your comments are due back to me, Betsy Gaines ([log in to unmask]) by
March 31. Thank you for your input and if you have questions, please
contact me at the address above.

-Betsy Gaines, Chair, Grazing Task Force



DRAFT GRAZING POLICY I

The Sierra Club has determined that livestock on federal public lands are
destroying biodiversity, water quality, native vegetation, native wildlife
habitat and recreational values within natural ecosystems. Federal laws and
federal public lands management agencies prioritize livestock grazing over
wildlife and wildlands; laws and livestock management rules and regulations
need to be reformed to allow the removal of livestock from all unsuitable
areas (See Endnote - Unsuitable Conditions and Locations)

The Sierra Club has determined that:

* Federal public lands livestock grazing must not be subsidized, and
federal public lands should not be available as collateral for private
financial institutions or public agencies.

* Federal public lands livestock grazing must not occur within Wildlife
Refuges, National Parks and National Monuments. Therefore, the Sierra Club
supports the systematic removal of livestock from these designated areas.

* Federal public lands livestock grazing must be removed from riparian
areas and wetlands in order to protect water quality and to avoid and stop
erosion of soils.

* Federal public lands livestock grazing must be removed from all burned,
clear cut logging, and vegetation restoration areas, in order to protect
native vegetation and native wildlife and their habitats.

* Federal public lands livestock grazing must be removed from archaeologic
and historic sites. Therefore, the Sierra Club supports the systematic
removal of livestock from these areas.

* Federal public lands livestock grazing must be removed from areas found
to have soils contaminated with toxic, hazardous, or radioactive wastes and
residues.

* Federal public lands livestock grazing must be removed when conflicts
arise with native wildlife - including but not limited to free-roaming
buffalo, bear, and wolves.

* Federal public lands livestock grazing must be discontinued if found to
hinder the success of threatened, endangered and candidate species and
their habitat's recovery, or until such time livestock grazing is found to
be a compatible use.

* Federal public lands livestock grazing that is in conflict with the
land's long term ecosystem health and function must be removed. (SEE
ENDNOTE)

The Sierra Club supports the removal of fences from federal public lands
where their function can no longer be determined, and the removal of water
diversion structures that adversely impact wetlands and instream flows.

The Sierra Club supports the removal of livestock from public lands where
such livestock contributes to the introduction, persitence or dispersal of
exotic species. The Sierra Club supports the eradication of all exotic
vegetation.

The Sierra Club is committed to work with ranchers in implementing reform
measures and forms of rancher compensation. The Sierra Club will work to
promote private land incentives for keeping open space.

The Sierra Club supports the long-term rest and retirement of federal
public lands livestock grazing for the protection and preservation of our
environment.

ENDNOTE: Unsuitable conditions and locations

An area is unsuitable for livestock grazing if the following conditions
cannot be insured:

a) Fully functioning soil with well-developed microbiotic components and a
high capacity for water infiltration and water retention;

b) Plant litter accumulation adequate to help protect soil, retain
moisture, provide habitat complexity, provide safe sites for germination of
indigenous plants, and help carry low-intensity ground fire;

c) Healthy, diverse indigenous plant communities resistant to disease;

d) Diverse vertebrate and invertebrate communities with adequate forage;

e) "Normal" behavior of wildlife populations and "normal" interaction
between predator and prey;

Livestock grazing is an unsuitable use of federal public lands if it
contributes pedestalling, rills, gullies, scouring, sheet erosion,
sedimentation or dunes.  Some unsuitable locations are steep slopes,
canyons, alkali flats, and lava flows.

Livestock shall not alter habitat to such an extent that the geographic
range of native wildlife species is altered.

Cumulative impacts must be considered in assessing suitability.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
To get off the IOWA-TOPICS list, send any message to:
[log in to unmask]