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High Desert Grazing Issues

High Desert Chair: Anne Mitchell

The Threat

The Owyhee country is an example of an ecosystem where livestock have traditionally had widespread access to. They unwittingly cause all manner of ecological damage including water pollution (both chemical and thermal), soil and erosion and compaction, streambank degredation, introduction of invasive weeds, reduction of wildlife forage and habitat (especially in riparian areas), and destruction of desert crusts (these fibrous mats of interwoven lichens, fungi, and algae anchor and protect desert soils and are critically important to arid ecosystems; once damaged, they can take centuries to recover). In addition to the 800-1000 lbs/mo of forage a cow consumes, they also consume vast quantities of water which is the most limiting factor in desert ecology to begin with.

Grazing-related damage in the Owyhee Canyonlands area is most evident along fragile streambanks, in wet meadows, and artifical watering stations where livestock tend to congregate. There are many streams in the area which do not meet state water quality standards and these waterways provide important habitat for struggling populations of Great Basin redband trout and other wildlife.

While the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has implemented some court ordered grazing regulations over the past few years (cows have been removed from the wild and scenic river corridor, but unfortunately watering pipelines are being developed in the uplands), the ecology of the Owyhee watershed will never fully recover until livestock are removed or significantly reduced in sensitive areas.

Similiar grazing problems exist throughout the eastern Oregon, including the Owyhee Canyonlands and wilderness study areas in the high desert.

Conservationist’s Solution

With the designation of Steens Mountain Cooperative Management Area, 97,000 acres of cow free wilderness was created in the Upper Blitzen River Watershed and Steens’ aspen forests and alpine meadows. In the Owyhee Canyonlands, the designation of a National Conservation Area or National Monument could give BLM the opportunity to gradually phase out livestock from sensitive, critically important habitat, such as riparian areas. Designation of additional wilderness areas in the high desert could also help BLM acquire additional resources and a mandate to better protect areas where grazing will continue.

Take Action Now!

Thank your congressional representative for their support in protecting Steens-Alvord and encourage them to provide permanent protection for additional wilderness on Steens as well as other areas such as the Owyhee Canyonlands, Spring Basin along the John Day, or the Badlands just outside of Bend.

Please contact: Senator Wyden to thank him for his efforts.