We made several specific reconraiendations. 



1. We argued that the establishment of the system to levy reasonable 

 and fair grazing fees for the use of federal lands is important to the 

 nation, the economy of the western states and our rural populations. 

 We, therefore, support and recommend any legislation that established 

 a fair market value grazing fee formula that incorporates: a) the 

 price of marketable livestock, and b) the cost of doing business in 

 particular localities. 



2. We stated that the existing policy of limiting authorizations for 

 livestock grazing to an annual authorization basis is undesirable. It 

 is difficult for an operator to adequately manage his livestock under 

 the limitations imposed by the annual authorization renewal process. 

 The one-year term also provides little incentive to practice long- 

 term conservation techniques. We stated that when in the best inter- 

 est of sound land management, preference rights should be given to the 

 holder of the expiring permit or lease, and that the base property qu- 

 alification should be retained in determining preference rights. 



3. Because of the great potential for severe impacts resulting from 

 mineral development in the Rocky Mountains, we pointed out the need 

 for flexibility in allocating payments from mineral development in 

 order to enhance the quality of life and prevent the boom and bust 

 cycles of previous years to reoccur in our time. We recommend increasing 

 the state's share of revenues from all minerals developed on federal 

 lands within the state from 571 to 50 or 60 percent of the royalty pay- 

 ments required and granting the states the determination of how the 

 money will be used. This principle was upheld in the Congressional 

 passage and subsequent veto override of the Federal Coal Leasing Am- 

 endments Act of 1975- 



4. We stated that the ability of a good operator to plan and manage 

 grazing should be recognized. If an operator performs in a satisfac- 

 tory manner and his range is improving, the operator should be allowed 

 to proceed without an allotment management plan. 



5. The federal government should not have jurisdiction over non-federal 

 lands, no matter where they are located. Allotment management plans for 



