Semi-weekly herald., 1916-12-11
i. s. WILL RAISE PRICE
OF GRAZING PERMITS

borne by the stoclmen using the
range. Since that time some few
changes have been made in order to
equalize the charges on certain
adjoining Forests based upon the
value of the forage and also as be-
tween two principal classes of stock
sheep and cattle. These slight
changes, however, still leave the &c,
tual charge for grazing upon the
National Forests far below the real
value of the privilege.
In order to compare the present
charges with those paid by the stock
men for grazing upon private lands
of equal value, a study was made
by the Forester of some 900 cases
involving lands in the vicinity of the
National Forests. These covered pri-
vate and state lands, reclamation
Withdrawals, Indian reservations and
railroad lands. At the time this study
was made the average charge per
month for the grazing use of Ma
Niphai titat WtS J.4 CelitS
per head for sheep and 3.9 cents per
head for cattle. On the private lands
it was found that the average rate
per month was 3.6 cents per head
for sheep and III cents per head
for cattle. The result of this study
indicates that the Forest Service is
not charging to exceed 35 per cent of
the prices paid by the stockmen for
grazing on private lands at the pres
ent time.
The Forests being established for
the purpose of producing timber and
regulation of the flow of streams,
certain restrictions are necessary for
the protection of the young growth
and the prevention of erosion from
to reduce the permits of the larger
owners to make room on the ranges
for the stock of the small nearby
settlers. 1t is recognized that for
these reasons stockmen are natural
ly willing to pay higher prices for
private lands where the lessee is at
liberty to stock the range as he de-
sires, and the questions of water po-
llution, streamflow, reproduction of
timber and erosion are nSt allowed
to interfere with the full use Of the
area for grazing purposes. Taking
all these facts into consideration it
would appear that the real value of
grazing privileges upon the National
Forests is about twice the rates at
present charged. 1t is proposed to
distribute the increase in grazing fees
over a period of three years, begin
ming with the permits issued for
the grazing period commencing after
March /, 1917. During the first year
the rates for grazing cattle for the
year-long period to be increased be-
tween IL cents and 20 cents per head
with short periods at approximately
lower rates and during the second
and third year like increases to be
made would bring the rates finally up
to SOC, $1.00, s1.20 and $1.50 per
head for cattle during the %ear-long
period. The increase in the rates on
sheep and goats to be made in the
same manner on the basis of 25 per
aent of the cattle rate, and the rate
for horses to be 25 per cent to 40
per cent more, and the rate for
swine to be 25 per cent to 40 per
cent less than the cattle rate. It
should be understood that the charges
will vary in accordance with the val
ie of the grazing privileges in diff
ferent Forests, it being well-es-
tablished fact that certain Forests or
groups of Forests produce forage Of
far superior value to others, and
that on many Of the Forests which
IRE located adjacent to the open gov.
srnment ranges or farming areas,
where hay can be readily secured foI
he winter feeding purposec or con
venient to shipping facilities, the
grazing privilege is worth more than
on areas not so favorably situated.
1t has been the established policy
of the department to give stockmen
an opportunity to be heard on all
matters of importance affecting their
interests. Before taking final ac-
tion in this matter shall be glad to
give careful consideration TO any
statements which the members Of