313 



the Cbrm of wricings, photographs and slides. Any one of 

 the range experts identified earlier in this statement could 

 have, and would have, provided such information auid data had 

 they been allowed to participate in the planning effort. 



( 



(2) On page 9 the draft states that the ' 

 populations of California Big horn sheep have decreased in 

 the Owyhee County area. That is a false statement. The 

 populations of the Big horn sheep are so high that the Idaho 

 Fish and Game Commission has captured some of the species 

 and given them to other states to begin development of herds 

 in those other states . That statement has been made 

 publicly by the Director of the Fish cuid Game Department.. 



(3) On page 17, the draft states that 

 historically habitats were "not influenced greatly by large 

 grazing animals until horses, and later cattle and sheep, 

 were introduced less than 300 years ago." Dr. Wayne 

 Burkiiart has fossil records which clearly demonstrate that 

 large grazing animals had itt^jact and influence on the 

 habitat 10,000 years ago. His records and his knowledge 

 could have been very helpful to a "science team" puttingi the 

 draft EIS together. At least, he could have helped with 

 accuracy. , 



(4) On page 20, the conclusion is reached tha- 

 "unlike wildlife species, livestock do not migrate. 

 Livestock tend to stay in place as long as they have food, 

 water, and other needs . " That statement is imscientif ically 

 broad. If it were true, why has there been a need for 

 installation of "drift fences" throughout the history of 

 livestock grazing. 



(5) On page 2i, the conclusion is stated that 

 "Adjustments in livestock grazing pressure or rest from 

 livestock grazing can, however, result in improved soil 

 stability, soil water levels, and nutrient levels..." 

 Within the negative structure of the grazing portions of the 

 BIS, the iti^lication of this statement is that ranchers jlo 

 not make necessary adjustments of numbers. The inplication 

 is misleading and inaccurate. The ranchers in Owyhee County 

 have made adjustments where necessary, and improvement in 

 allotments has been evidenced. There is no data to 

 demonstrate that excessive grazing has taken place 

 throughout the Owyhee County allotments, yet the implication 

 is that the entire county needs management action regarding 

 adjustment of numbers. On the other hand, in the early 

 1940s there was not a spear of grass to be seen from the 

 foothills of Marsing in Owyhee County to Lake View, Oregon, 

 a strip of 300 miles, with improved management techniques, 

 and with the private incentive to make the public land more 

 productive for the benefit of the private herd, ranchers 

 have improved this land to the point at which there is now 

 grass everywhere through this strip. Yet, this draft EIS 



