Opinion ID: 779502
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: The BLM's Management Of The Owyhee

Text: 10 The BLM is statutorily charged with managing the Owyhee and is required to consider many interests, including livestock grazing. 43 U.S.C. § 1702(c). In 1981, the BLM adopted a master management plan to guide its management of the Owyhee. An Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) was prepared and adopted along with the 1981 management plan in order to evaluate the environmental impacts of the management plan, including contemplated cattle grazing, as required by NEPA. NEPA imposes procedural requirements upon federal agencies, mandating that the government formally and adequately consider the environmental impacts of proposed federal actions that may have a significant impact on the environment. Marsh v. Or. Natural Res. Council, 490 U.S. 360, 374, 109 S.Ct. 1851, 104 L.Ed.2d 377 (1989). 11 In 1995 major changes were made to substantive grazing regulations governing the BLM, including a new requirement that all ranchers grazing cattle in the Owyhee obtain a grazing permit and undergo an annual reauthorization. 43 C.F.R. § 4140.1(b)(i). The regulations require the BLM to place terms and conditions in the permits to achieve management and resource condition objectives. 43 C.F.R. § 4130.3. As a result of these regulatory changes, the BLM found that most ranchers needed new multi-year permits because they either did not hold a permit or because their permit had expired. 12