BLM begins public scoping on Environmental Impact Statement for Reauthorizing Sheep Grazing Allotments
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GUNNISON, Colo. - The Bureau of Land Management Gunnison Field Office is accepting comments on a Resource Management Plan Amendment and associated Environmental Impact Statement to assess domestic sheep grazing allotments within Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep habitat.
The EIS will evaluate permit renewals on 16 domestic sheep allotments on about 115,000 acres in Gunnison, Hinsdale, Montrose, Ouray and San Juan counties. The grazing allotments are currently on a 10-year schedule for grazing permit renewal analysis. These allotments are at high risk of contact with native bighorn sheep leading to disease transmission from the domestic herd to the wild herd.
“Evidence is becoming more conclusive linking contact between domestic and bighorn sheep with transmission of lethal diseases to bighorn,” said Lori Armstrong, Southwest District Manager. “We have been working extensively with the permittees, U.S. Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Bighorn Society and Colorado Parks and Wildlife to address the risk of contact between domestic sheep and bighorn sheep to maintain bighorn sheep herd health while maintaining grazing on public lands.”
The BLM and USFS completed a cooperative bighorn sheep contact risk model in January 2013. According to the model, allotments that overlap with bighorn sheep habitat are automatically rated at a high risk of direct contact between domestic and bighorn sheep.
Scoping comments pertaining to the effects of domestic sheep grazing within bighorn sheep habitat are most helpful and should be submitted by Monday, Mar. 16, via mail to the Gunnison Field Office, Attn: Kristi Murphy, 210 W Spencer St, Suite A, Gunnison, CO 81230, by email to blm_co_gfo_nepa_comments@blm.gov or fax to 970-642-4990.
Before including your address, phone number, e-mail address, or other personal identifying information in your comment, you should be aware that your entire comment—including your personal identifying information—may be made publicly available at any time. While you can ask us in your comment to withhold your personal identifying information from public review, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so.
The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 western states, including Alaska, on behalf of the American people. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. Our mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.