UPDATE - Forest Service Solicits Comments

The United States Forest Service issued its final Environmental Assessment (EA) and draft Finding of no Significant Impact (FONSI) in September of 2019.  It  allows for an increase from the previously permitted amount of 130 cattle year long (not including offspring) to 552 cattle year long (not including offspring) to graze the BarX and Heber-Reno sheep driveway.  This EA and FONSI will allow cattle to graze in the previously closed pasture of Colcord, including Haigler Creek, which had been closed to grazing after United States Forest Service had conducted extensive studies in the 1970s documenting the devastation of forest and wildlife resources caused by overgrazing. It also authorizes much greater livestock use in the existing allotments on the Bar X Ranch. Objections were submitted to the Forest Supervisor who, on December 12, 2019, issued a letter concurring with the EA and FONSI.   All three documents can be found in the document section, along with NOMR's objections.

Click (here) to be taken to the "Documents" page where you will find a link to all documents including recently acquired documents from the Forest Service including a 1977 Wildlife Habitat Analysis where the lead Forest Service biologist stated:  "The Forest Service on the study area is not living up to its responsibility as stewards of these lands . . . The use most responsible for

the decline in habitat quality is without a doubt the excessive consumption of herbaceous vegetation by livestock." 

We are happy to answer questions and help you through the Forest Service comment section. You can contact us by emailing us at rimneighbors@gmail.com