Farm406

31 farm406 jargon confuse the significance of this action – it was the first step to overhauling NEPA implementation across the entire federal government. e Trump Administration, for the first time in decades, asked impacted stakeholders how they could administer the Act more efficiently. PLC answered those questions through a special working group made up of its members, who combined, have hundreds of years of experience in dealing with NEPA's complex procedures. Recommendations were submied to CEQ in the fall of 2018 and the organization expects to see results in the coming weeks. Sage Grouse PLC also saw major progress in its push to amend the Bureau of Land Management's (BLM) 2015 Greater Sage- Grouse plans (with Forest Service close behind). PLC's message was simple: focus on working lands conservation and the importance of ongoing state and local management of the bird. ose elements were reflected in the new amended plans released by BLM this past December, and the PLC is hard at work to ensure similar Forest Service plans will be finalized later this year. While they didn't get everything they wanted, the move away from draconian grass height requirements and a move toward encouraging grazing as a wildfire fuels management tool, does bode well for a beer operating environment moving forward for producers in sage grouse country. Feral Horse and Burro Management Feral horse and burro populations continue to explode across the West, and PLC continues, on a daily basis, to beat the drum on this issue with agencies, coalitions, and the public. e PLC team met with the conservation community, sportsmen groups, and other industries to explore solutions, and have presented a proposal to Congress that includes support from all interested parties. e proposal, titled "e Path Forward for Management of the Bureau of Land Management's Wild Horses and Burros," supports an increase to the agency's capacity to gather horses and burros in overpopulated areas; administer population-growth- suppressant to healthy animals at gather; and increase use of long-term, pasture-based holding for older horses. PLC has also appeared before Congress to testify on this issue, highlighting the urgency to managing for sustainable numbers sooner than later. Wildfire 2018 was one of the worst fire seasons in recent memory. In response, PLC amplified its message, raising awareness to devastation felt by communities burdened by fire. e administration also took note of the crisis, and President Trump issued an executive order to promote active management of forests, rangelands, and other federal lands to reduce wildfire risk. With this progress, PLC continues to pressure all levels of government for wildfire reform, including expanded categorical exclusion authority to the agencies that administer federal lands. While this past year has shown progress for the industry, Skinner says their work is far from done. "Now is the time to hit the gas and close these deals while continuing to identify future opportunities and challenges. at is what this meeting was all about," says Skinner. Aendees helped cra efforts as they move forward into 2020. "America's public lands ranchers showed up, voiced their opinion, and shared their knowledge with policymakers," says Skinner. "It's because of engagement from ranchers that we have achieved such instrumental wins in 2019, and it will be because of these same folks on the ground, that we continue to see progress." To learn more about the PLC, visit www.publiclandscouncil.org. Photo: Courtesy of e Land Council

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