Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1910-11-30
GRAZING REDUCED
ON MANT| FOREST !: |
Secretary Wilson Issues Restrlc-
ton Orders for Utah
Reserve.
49, 49, 49, -------- . ---------
CONDITIONS ARE SERIOUS
CONDITIONS ARE SERIOUS.
Towns in snnpctc Flooded and Dam
aged MS Result OF Too Heavy Graz
ing-Noticc Of Reward.

II 81
In consequence of the conclusive evil
dcnce which has bc-., laid before the
secretary of agriculture of injury to
agricultural and other interests
through too heavy grazing of certain
watersheds in the Manti national for
est, in Utah. sccy. Wilson has cut
down the amount OF stock which Will
be allowed to Craze on this forest next
year to 1880 head of cattle and horses
and $4,000 head of sheep. This Is re-
ductlon of 5000 In tho number of cat
tho and horses, and $1,000 In the num-
Der of sheep.
There has been s.-sat apprehension
among the farmers and townspeopie
who live along the streams fed from
these watersheds, lest ovcrgrazinS
! should seriously jeopardize their In,
terests. This apprehension was based
on the actual experience of the past.
Reports which have been submitted to
Secy. Wilson by officers of the depart
ment show that unrestricted grazing
before the Manti national forest was
created had very serious results. The
range was badly overcrOwded and
abused. with the result that the natural
covering of vegetation was largely de-.
stroycd, the soil was loosened. and con-
ditions favorable to rapid erosion were
created The high slopes began to gully
go that when tho heavy transforms
broke upon the mountains the canyons
poured down mud-laden streams upon
the towns and farms.
With these nood-streams were car
ried down heavy boutders, logs. and
driftwood. Not only was standing grain
washed down and fields covered with
piles of gravel and other debris, but
streets and lawns were overlooked with
water which on its retreat left behind
it thick layer of offensive sediment.
Water supplies for domestic use We're
contaminated from the presence of
stock on the watersheds as well as
from tho soil wash. The towns OF
iEphraim- Mount Pleasant. Huntington.
Orangeville. Ferron and Salina were
severe sufferers, while the city OF
Manti. which Is located directly at
the mouth Of the canyon and close to
the base Of the hills. suffered DAM
age. including depreciation OF property.
between 1896 and 1902 estimated at
from $4,000 to s125,0Oo.
CONDITIONS SERIOUS.
Last spring Chief Forester Graves
visited Ephraim and was impressed by
the seriousness Of the conditions on
the Mantl forest. The prohibition OF
had apparently contributed to tho
great reduction Of damage by floods
to the city of Manti To ascertain
whether by n modification OF the graz
ing now permitted the same protection
might be given to Ephraim and other
towns he ordered an Investigation. the
outcome of which is the reduction now
made.
It was found that in parts of the
forest surface conditions are far from
satisfactory, and that some areas have
reached a point at which erosion will
become more and more serious II the
vegetation is not given a chance to
return. II is now evident to Secy.
Wilson that tho national forest Of
ficers, in their desire not to curtai
use Of the range by stockmen any fur
Their than was made absolutely neces-
sary. have been too liberal in their
recommendation as to the amount of
grazing to he permitted.
BENEFITS OF RESTRICTION.
The experience in Manti canyon Is be-
licved to indicate that the proper re"
striction of grazing will diminish the
volume of food waters, reduce the an
nual property loss, and add to the gen
eral prosperity of the country. 1t has
consequently been decided to restrict
grazing upon the areas surrounding the
hcadwaters of the various streams. by
setting aside strip approximately two
miles in width from which stock will
be excluded except for limited per-
iods. In order to take this step 1t has
been necessary to reduce the total
number OF stock grazed upon the forest,
and while the reduction will entail some
embarrassment and inconvenience to a
number of stock growers. its general
result Is expected to be of so great
benefit to the community as a whole
thar Secretary Wilson considers no 9TH
er course is open but to make the re-
duction.