Stanislaus National Forest Livestock Grazing Susan Forbes Range Management Specialist September 24, 2010 Over One Hundred Years of Grazing

United States

CALIFORNIA, USA

STANISLAUS NATIONAL FOREST

MANAGED PUBLIC LANDS Federal Government manages more than 680 million acres of land for multiple uses (Recreation. Grazing, Mineral, Water Supply, Wildlife Habitat)

Livestock grazing has occurred since the early 1800’s, as a transhumance system of driving livestock from the valley ranches to the mountain meadows following the seasons. Livestock are dispersed within allotment boundaries under a ten year permit system. History of grazing on Stanislaus National Forest Lands

FOREST SERVICE GRAZING Stanislaus National Forest has 4 district offices and 1 Supervisors Office and manages more than 898,099 acres, of which 356,200 acres are suitable for grazing and 800 miles of streams. Conflict among different user as early as 1800’s (sheep vs cattle vs farmers, water rights, conservation issues). The Organic Act of 1897, created the National Forest System and began managing livestock grazing. Grazing on the Stanislaus N.F. has been managed since The Stanislaus is the oldest forest in California. In 1906 Forest Service started charging a fee for grazing on these reserves. Stanislaus National Forest has 4 district offices and 1 Supervisors Office and manages more than 898,099 acres, of which 356,200 acres are suitable for grazing and 800 miles of streams. Conflict among different user as early as 1800’s (sheep vs cattle vs farmers, water rights, conservation issues). The Organic Act of 1897, created the National Forest System and began managing livestock grazing. Grazing on the Stanislaus N.F. has been managed since The Stanislaus is the oldest forest in California. In 1906 Forest Service started charging a fee for grazing on these reserves.

Stanislaus National Forest Grazing History 1909 – 14,529 cattle – 1075 sheep 1917 – 19,328 cattle – 7815 sheep 1924: Peak year for sheep with 19, : Hoof and mouth disease outbreak 1960-Present: Numbers have declined steadily over the years, reflecting changes in the livestock industry, land uses and increasing environmental issues.

Statutory Authorities Organic Act of 1897 Bankhead-Jones Farm Tenant Act 1937 Taylor Grazing Act Granger-Thye Act of 1950 Multiple Use-Sustained Yield Act 1960 Wilderness Act of 1964 National Environmental Policy Act 1970 Wild Horse and Burro Act 1971 Forest and Rangeland Renewable Resources Planning Act National Forest Management Act Federal Land Policy and Management Act 1976 Public Rangeland Improvement Act 1978

STANISLAUS NATIONAL FOREST GRAZING PROGRAM 21 Permittees 35 Active cattle allotments 1 vacant sheep allotment Approximately 4,000 cow/calf pairs Approximately 24,000 *AUMs 11 Allotments wholly or partly in one of the three wilderness areas Allotments within the forest are located in 4 counties *Annual Unit Months=amount of forage needed by a cow and calf grazing for one month