Alternative strategies to overgrazing

JULIE ELFVING (ELFVING.JULIE@epamail.epa.gov)
Fri, 27 Oct 1995 16:47:28 -0400

I heard on NPR this morning a piece about environmental groups
in New Mexico, I think it was, bidding on state (not Federal)
grazing leases in order to prevent what they consider overgrazing
and abuse of the land. They were especially targeting stream
corridors, which are among the most vulnerable areas in arid areas.
The land would be left "unused". (That is, unused by cows.) The
piece went on to air varying views of this strategy. Some oponents
were concerned about loss of livelyhood for graziers; others
expressed concern that there would be a loss of income from those
lands, and therefore a loss of money flowing through the already
poor local economies. I'd like to hear what you think about this
strategy as a means to protect fragile western range lands? as a
negative impact on rural communities? as...?