Number: 1985-09
WHEREAS, the Federal Land Policy and Management Act (FLPMA) authorizes the expiration of Grazing Advisory Boards at the end of 1985; and
WHEREAS, Grazing Advisory Boards advise the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and the U.S. Forest Service on the use of range betterment funds and the development of Allotment Management Plans; and
WHEREAS, the Grazing Advisory Boards are “single-use” institutions, representing and made up exclusively of livestock grazing permittees; and
WHEREAS, the public lands should be managed for a combination of uses, including wildlife habitat, environmental protection, and outdoor recreation; and
WHEREAS, BLM District Multiple-Use Advisory Councils exist to represent a wide array of public land interests and to advise the BLM on a variety of public land management issues; and
WHEREAS, establishment of multiple use advisory councils for each National Forest would serve a comparable purpose to the multiple use councils for the BLM;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the National Wildlife Federation, in annual meeting assembled March 14-17, 1985, in Arlington, Virginia, hereby recommends the abolishment of the BLM District and National Forest Grazing Advisory Boards; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the provision for the establishment of multiple use advisory councils for each National Forest be enacted by Congress; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Multiple Use Advisory Councils be authorized to assume responsibility for advising the BLM and the Forest Service on the use of range betterment funds and the development of allotment management plans; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the criteria for representation on the Multiple Use Advisory Councils be established to assure that all public land interests are adequately represented including wildlife, state wildlife management agencies, outdoor recreation, environmental protection, soil and water conservation, as well as livestock, timber, minerals, and energy interests. Representatives on such Councils shall be appointed by the appropriate Regional Forester or State BLM Director after consultation with the appropriate Forest Supervisors or BLM District Managers, respectively, following public notice and comment.