Federal Lands Grazing

I believe that livestock grazing should be allowed on public lands if it is carefully managed. According to the Sierra Club website in their article titled Grazing on Public Lands, "Federal public lands belong to the American public and must be managed to maintain their long-term ecological integrity" (1). This is a statement that I whole heartily agree with, but I don't think that stopping livestock grazing completely is the answer. The Sierra Club states that, " ... grazing operators should manage livestock towards the goal of maximum restoration of native plant and animal communities, water quality, and other environmental goals" (1). When grazing livestock, it is critical that environmental issues are addressed and an ecological balance is retained. Grazing on public lands can reduce undergrowth or excessive growth when managed properly and grazing on public lands should be rotated so that damage is negligible. Manure from livestock can add nutrients to the soil and is beneficial as long as it does not accumulate in excess. I do not believe the fees should be the same as what is charged for private land leases because the public lands are owned by the American public. However, I do believe that the livestock grazing operator should be responsible for the costs associated with maintaining the land, if maintenance is necessary. It is my opinion that if land used for grazing purposes is rotated and grazing animals are not permitted to graze on the same land for extended periods of time, the land will naturally recover.