The Coconino sun., 1925-05-29

sible for the obvious stoppage of re-
forestation over large areas. Fur
thermore, the dual system of grazing
largely makes it impossible to fix re-
sponsibility for the condition of the
range upon the sheep or cattle per-
mittees, and largely removes an in
centive on their part to improve the
range through better methods of
management
| believe, therefore, that the start
ing point in improving existing con-
ditions should be to divide the range
on these national forests into eXclus-
i've sheep and cattle sallotments, so far
and rapidly as practicable. This will
require extensive fencing and addi-
tional water developments where pos
sible. The forest service will initiate
Immediately a program of range dis
| tribution along these lines, and will
concentrate upon it all of our re
sources that can be made available.
We cannot, however, accomplish this
adjustment without effective coopera-
ton from our grazing permittees.
believe that such cooperation is war
ranted by the ten-year permits, by the
| interest of the stockmen in avoiding
reductions as far as possible, and by
/ the more favorable conditions of range
use which the exclusive allotment
system should afford. Specifically,
| believe it is reasonable for the per-
mittees concerned to meet the govern
ment on $3.50 basis in the cost of
constructing the improvements re-
CURED.
1t is my judgment that, after all
| the betterments possible have been
accomplished under the exclusive al
lotment system, reductions in stock
ing on a number of these grazing dis
tricts will still be unavoidable, in or
/ der to adequately protect the range
| and the young timber The forest
service cannot issue grazing permits
| for the ensuing ten-year period with
out allowance for such reductions, if
we are compelled to make them. | am
| willing, however, to defer the reduc-
/ tions until 1926, in the hope that we
| can then determine how far better
management of the range can reas-
onabIy be expected to correct the ex-
sting damage.
With these points in mind, the fol-
| lowing program will be followed on
the three national forests in question:
/. Term permits will be issued be-
ginning with the grazing season OF
1896, and extending to 1884 inclusive,
for existing preferences, less the re-
! ductions which are scheduled below
/ by national forests. This is for the
| purpose of assuring each permittee q
minimum number of stock which can
/ be grazed during the period, subject
/ to the standard provisions OF such
permits. These permits will contain
1 clause making the allotment OF
/ range, as to area-nOt numbers OF
stock-subject to such adjustments as
may be determined upon. Such a
/ clause is necessary to permit work
! ing out of the exclusive sheep and cat
/ tie allotments, as indicated above
Users who prefer an annual to ton
year permit will receive one.
! g. The stock covered by the reduc-
/ lions will be carried on a temporary
/ basis, pending final action on the
cuts. AS individual exclusive allot-
nents, or groups of such allotments
are worked out and put into effect,
such reductions as may seem desir-
4ble in shaping up the range units,
and as are agreed upon by the per-
nittees concerned, viii become effee-
| tive. Otherwise the application of the
reductions will be postponed for one
year, or until the beginning of the
grazing season Of 1927, prior to which
time a decision will be reached by the
forest service on the reductions which
IN the light of the progress made in
better management of the range, still
appear unavoidable. To a consider
able degree, the reductions applied
will necessarily be governed by the
condition of the respective allotments
and the progress made in bringing
about better range management.
3. Any slack range gained through
the voluntary withdrawal of stock or
lapse of preferences will be applied