This is the second policy--#2 in the trilogy. DRAFT POLICY II Our nation's federal public lands should be managed in a manner that restores and perpetuates healthy functioning natural ecosystems of native plants and animals and clean water. Much of our public lands are unsuitable or inappropriate for domestic livestock grazing, including the National Park System, the National Wildlife Refuge System, many endangered species habitats, and fragile desert ecosystems. Public lands grazing should not be allowed unless the livestock operator demonstrates that it will not adversely impact native plant and animal populations and it will not lead to soil loss or water quality degradation. Wherever livestock grazing on public lands is having a significant adverse environmental impact it should be terminated. GUIDELINES Grazing should be eliminated within the following places: * National Park System Units and National Wildlife Refuges (Except in park units set aside to preserve a historic working farm or ranch and its culture.) * Ecosystems that evolved without native ungulates such as bison or elk. * Lands where the ability of the land to function as a healthy watershed and sustain native vegetation is declining. . Lands where livestock grazing conflicts with maintaining or restoring healthy native wildlife populations. * Areas where livestock grazing conflicts with recovery of threatened or endangered species. . Areas where livestock grazing is adversely impacting native plant and animal populations, causing soil loss, or water quality degradation. Fencing, water development, vegetation manipulation and other so-called "range improvements" for livestock should only be allowed if the livestock operator demonstrates that they will adversely impact native species. Chaining, planting exotic species, fences that block wildlife corridors, drying up streams for water developments should be prohibited. Public land managers should work to replace non-native plant species with native plant communities. Letting natural fires burn, or prescribed burning, is the preferred method for restoring and renewing natural ecosystems. Grazing fees should be set at a fair market value. When considering the suitability of grazing, the full cost of managing the operation, including any activities necessary to protect the resource from the grazing should be considered--including restoration of stream banks and other environmental damage associated with grazing. Streams, wetlands and riparian areas are valuable for habitat, native plant communities, and clean water, and are also particularly vulnerable to damage by livestock grazing. Livestock grazing should not be allowed to degrade these areas, and where it does it should be terminated. The Sierra Club will support efforts to provide economic and transition assistance to ranchers effected by the elimination of public land grazing operations. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - To get off the IOWA-TOPICS list, send any message to: [log in to unmask]