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Renner, Steve
<br /> From: Mathews, Dan
<br /> Sent: Wednesday, February 16, 2005 10:18 AM
<br /> To: Renner, Steve
<br /> Cc: Berry, David; McArdle, Jim
<br /> Subject: RE: Coal Basin Cattle Grazing
<br /> Steve, I took a minute to look at your letter, and it looks fine to me. It seems to describe the situation and the apparent
<br /> problem, with supporting observations. Certainly, subjecting areas recently seeded with palatable grasses to extended
<br /> grazing periods during mid to late growing season year after year, with no opportunity for seed production and dispersal,
<br /> does not bode well for the maintenance of the seeded stands. In addition, protection from grazing is generally
<br /> recommended for at least the first couple years following seeding, to allow the newly seeded species to become
<br /> established. Seeded areas are often particularly attractive to cattle, due to the accessibility, absence of brush, and
<br /> concentration of highlyl palatable grasses. Areas adjacent to travel corridors, valley bottoms, areas near water, and flat
<br /> areas conducive to maximal feed intake with minimal energy expenditure are particularly subject to close and repeated
<br /> grazing. Grazing practices that result in the reduced vigor and loss of desirable species also contribute to the
<br /> establishment and spread of unpalatable noxious weeds. The forest service has range personnel that are well aware of all
<br /> this. They most likely have some type of rest-rotation or deferred rotation grazing system in effect for the allotment(s) in
<br /> the basin, but sometimes the cows (and maybe the cowboys)don't read the plans, or don't follow them to the"T". Even if
<br /> the grazing plan for the allotment were being properly implemented, the need to provide protection for newly seeded
<br /> stands, particularly those in highly vulnerable locations, might warrant certain management changes including temporary
<br /> fencing or other measures.
<br /> The rotational system you suggest, with cattle being held off portions of the allotment for up to three years consecutively to
<br /> allow protection for seeded areas, may not be practicable to implement, due to the potential that other pastures in the
<br /> allotment would be over-utilized as a consequence. But it can't hurt to ask, and maybe it will spur the forest service to give
<br /> consideration to alternative management approaches that would provide the seeded areas opportunity for establishment,
<br /> recovery, and periodic seed production. In certain vulnerable locations, temporary fencing may be the only realistic option.
<br /> If there are areas where a significant density of seeded species is still present, but the plants exhibit low vigor and cover
<br /> due to grazing pressure, it might make more sense to put$ into fencing of those areas rather than putting the $ into
<br /> another re-seeding. For areas where seeded species are minimally present and reseeding is warranted, it may make little
<br /> sense to do the seeding, unless there are provisions in place to protect the new seedings from grazing.
<br /> Hopefully, your letter will bring the matter to the attention of the appropriate Sopris District officials, and they will come to
<br /> the table in the spirit of cooperative resolution of a problem of concern to all of the affected parties.
<br /> Good luck.
<br /> -----Original Message-----
<br /> From: Renner,Steve
<br /> Sent: Tuesday, February 15,2005 11:11 AM
<br /> To: Berry, David; Mathews,Dan;McArdle,Jim;'ahollandsears@fs.fed.us'
<br /> Subject: Coal Basin Cattle Grazing
<br /> I am attaching a draft letter that to the Sopris Ranger District regarding cattle grazing at Coal Basin. Would you please
<br /> take a minute to review it, and give me comments by Feb. 22? The map referenced in the letter is an autocad
<br /> drawing, so I have not included it here.
<br /> I want to have grazing managed so that the reclamation species have a better chance at becoming established. I am
<br /> proposing a rotating grazing management plan coupled with seed distribution by the Division.
<br /> Thanks
<br /> steve
<br /> << File: graze2.15.05.doc >>
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