The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA), the Public Lands Council (PLC), the American Sheep Industry Association, the Association of National Grasslands and more than 30 other organizations representing livestock producers submitted comments
to express their concern with the U.S. Forest Service’s proposed land management planning rule. According to Dustin Van Liew, NCBA director of federal lands and PLC executive director, the proposed planning rule is overly burdensome, goes beyond statutory authority and could negatively affect ranchers for decades.
“The administration needs to go back to the drawing board on the proposed forest planning rule,” Van Liew said. “From going beyond statutory authority with the viability language to ignoring the role of multiple-use activities, this planning rule will negatively affect ranchers’ ability to continue producing food and fiber for a growing global population.”
The proposed planning rule would require the Forest Service to “maintain viable populations of species of conservation concern within the planning area.” The term “maintain viable populations” does not appear in the National Forest Management Act (NFMA) or any other statute. Van Liew said this provision should be removed from the proposed rule because there is no scientific consensus on what level of population is “viable” or how it is to be “maintained.” He added that the viability standard will be impossible for the agency to meet, thereby inviting litigation from radical environmental activist groups at every turn.
The groups also raised concern that the draft rule effectively makes “guidelines” within the planning rule legally enforceable standards. According to Van Liew, this throws away management flexibility and the Forest Service’s hard-fought victories establishing that guidelines are discretionary – not mandatory. He said the proposed rule fails to build on the Multiple Use, Sustained-Yield Act or to follow NFMA requirements. Van Liew added that the planning rule should focus on active land management of multiple uses including livestock grazing, timber management and recreation, rather than focusing almost solely on management for preservation of wildlife and creating de facto national parks.
“Ranchers understand the need to balance multiple uses on Forest Service land. This proposed planning rule flies in the face of multiple use. It will make it nearly impossible for our members to do their jobs,” Van Liew said. “We appreciate the opportunity to comment on the proposed rule, and would like to take the opportunity to strongly urge the Forest Service to consider our concerns before taking further action on this issue.”
Source: NCBA
Posted by Haylie Shipp
