Grazing Restriction Upheld in Sequoia

 

The reauthorization of livestock grazing in the Sequoia National Monument area would have harmed the giant sequoias thus impacting regional tourism.

Conservation groups applauded the Sequoia National Forest and District Ranger Priscilla Summers for her withdrawal of a decision that would authorize livestock grazing on nearly 37,000 acres within the Giant Sequoia National Monument. Area residents were concerned that the protective measures used to protect fragile riparian areas were not sufficient, and that the decision did not do enough to monitor and mitigate livestock impacts. Of particular concern was the ability of alder trees to regenerate in damaged riparian areas, which the Forest?EUR??,,????'???s own botanist admitted could be compromised even at low levels of grazing. Another concern of local people was the failure of the decision to address the increased risks of catastrophic wildfire posed by livestock grazing in the project area. They are hoping that some of the protective measures included in the now-withdrawn decision will take effect this season, including keeping cattle out of degraded areas and improving monitoring on the allotments. The conservation of the biological resources of the Monument is important to regional tourism and local businesses.