<<  Back to 2009 News Releases

April 8, 2009 Contact:     Sarah Beckwith, 307-347-5207    Cindy Wertz, 307-775-6014 Lander BLM Issues Proposed Decisions for  Green Mountain Common Allotment The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Lander Field Office has issued proposed decisions to grazing permittees of the Green Mountain Common Allotment (GMCA) based on the analysis of alternatives in the Environmental Assessment (EA). The decisions are the result of extensive consultation and coordination between BLM, GMCA grazing permittees, and interested publics. The proposed decisions include dividing the GMCA into three separate grazing allotments, implementing deferred grazing systems specific to each new allotment, reducing Animal Unit Months (AUMs) to restore healthy riparian functions, implementing allowable use standards, and developing cooperative monitoring plans. No additional fencing will be required to divide the allotments, however smaller fences are being proposed to implement the various grazing systems and restore riparian health. "Once implemented, I believe we will begin to see the positive effects of these management changes within the Green Mountain Common Allotment," said Acting Lander Field Manager Jim Cagney. "This plan will guide BLM and the GMCA permittees toward improved rangeland and riparian health, while protecting the integrity of the Antelope Hills Wild Horse Herd Management Area and the Oregon National Historic Trail." For more than a decade, BLM has worked with permittees and interested stakeholders to craft and implement a plan to restore rangeland health within the GMCA. The GMCA is one of the largest unfenced common allotments in the State of Wyoming, totaling 522,000 acres. Eighty six percent is public, 9 percent is state-owned, and 5 percent is privately-owned. For more information please call Sarah Beckwith, BLM Public Affairs Specialist, at (307) 347-5100. The EA and proposed decision letter are available at: www.blm.gov/wy/st/en/info/NEPA/lfodocs/greenmtn_common.html The BLM manages more land - 258 million acres - than any other Federal agency. This land, known as the National System of Public Lands, is primarily located in 12 Western States, including Alaska. The Bureau, with a budget of about $1 billion, also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. The BLM’s multiple-use mission is to sustain the health and productivity of the public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations. The Bureau accomplishes this by managing such activities as outdoor recreation, livestock grazing, mineral development, and energy production, and by conserving natural, historical, cultural, and other resources on public lands. - BLM -