Overgrazing of riparian areas by livestock is one of the most common impacts THI sees when conducting stream assessments on rural lands. Depending upon the length and severity of improper livestock access, overgrazing in riparian areas cause a decrease in woody vegetation, an increase in streambank erosion and noxious weed colonization , and an overall decrease in water quality and habitat values for fish and wildlife.
Because it is such a common problem, we read with the interest as the Washington Post recently reported that an environmental group has accused the U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM) of neglecting science in favor of politics when it comes to grazing on public lands. The agency has been conducting ecological studies covering millions of acres and a variety of landscapes across the West, but has been accused by Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility of ignoring the impact livestock grazing has on Western public lands out of fear of backlash from the livestock industry.
