Smith Proposes Southern Oregon Grazing Buyout (AUDIO)

The proclamation of the Monument in 2000 by President Clinton made the future of grazing uncertain within the Monument’s boundaries.

Photo courtesy: elimhold.co.nz

(WASHINGTON, D.C.) - Oregon Senator Gordon H. Smith has released a draft proposal regarding grazing in the Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument in southern Oregon. The proposal, which Smith will introduce as legislation in the coming weeks, is the result of lengthy discussions between Senator Smith, cattle ranchers and environmentalists. “I think buyouts should be rare,” Smith said. “But these circumstances are unique and are putting the squeeze on our ranchers. This legislation is needed to keep them in business and in the saddle. Instead of turning to the courts, two interested parties found common ground to solve this problem. That’s the Oregon way and a great basis for legislation.” Currently, cattle grazing is managed on the Monument by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), which allocates grazing allotments, similar to leases. A BLM study about the compatibility of grazing with biological diversity was required by the proclamation and is currently underway. Regardless of the outcome of the study, litigation is likely to follow. The draft legislation accomplishes several major goals: Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to permanently retire grazing allotments within the Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument that are voluntarily relinquished by cattle ranchers Directs the federal government to compensate grazing permit holders, giving them the financial option to acquire alternative grazing land outside the Monument Designates approximately 23,000 acres of new wilderness within the boundaries of the Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument. The core of this area, known as the Soda Mountain Wilderness Study Area, was studied by the BLM and found to be suitable for wilderness designation by Congress