Forest Service to study grazing impact on grass

By Steve Miller, Journal staff | Friday, February 29, 2008

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The Nebraska National Forest will conduct an analysis of grazing management as it affects vegetation on federal rangeland in southwest South Dakota and northwest Nebraska.

The project will look at vegetation on the west side of the Buffalo Gap National Grassland in South Dakota and the Oglala National Grassland in Nebraska. Both grasslands are administered by the Nebraska National Forest, headquartered in Chadron, Neb.

Rangeland specialist Bob Novotny of the Fall River Ranger District in Hot Springs said the studies are conducted about every 10 years to see if grass and other vegetation are being managed in accordance with the 2002 forest management plan.

Novotny said the analysis could result in changes in grazing management, including halting grazing on an individual allotment for a period of time. However, he emphasized that the forest plan authorizes grazing on the grassland.

Novotny said the Forest Service is now seeking comments on an environmental impact statement for the Rangeland Allotment Management Planning project, which proposes to continue to permit livestock grazing on all 33 grazing allotments on the Oglala National Grassland and 49 grazing allotments in the West Geographic Area of the Buffalo Gap National Grassland.

District Ranger Mike McNeill said he expected a decision to be made resulting from the study in the spring of 2009.

The project outline can be reviewed at the district ranger offices in Hot Springs (1801 U.S. Highway 18 Truck Bypass) and Chadron, Neb. (1240 W. 16th St.), by obtaining a February 2008 Federal Register at a local library, or visiting the Federal Register Web site at www.gpoaccess.gov/fr/index.html.

Written comments may be submitted to Michael McNeill, Fall River Ranger District, 1801 Highway 18 Bypass, Hot Springs, SD 57747 or to Charles Marsh, Pine Ridge Ranger District, 1240 W. 16th St., Chadron, NE 69337. Comments may also be submitted e-mailed to nnf_info@fs.fed.us. Enter "RAMP" in the subject line. All comments are due by April 1.

Additional information is available from Novotny at 745-4107 or Lora O'Rourke 308-432-4475.