The WBR is one of four HMAs, out of 177, where animal agriculture is not allowed.
On May 9, the BLM opened a new project in ePlanning that initiated a land health assessment for the Basalt, Belleville, Little Huntoon and McBride Flat Allotments, to evaluate their potential for livestock grazing and other uses.
A scoping letter was the only document posted for public review.
Basalt and McBride Flat are in the Sierra Front Field Office. The Allotment Master Report shows no permittees and no active AUMs.
Belleville and Little Huntoon are in the Stillwater Field Office. The Allotment Master Report shows no permittees and no active AUMs.
Three are in the Maintain category and one is Custodial (condition unknown).
Belleville intersects the WBR according to the National Data Viewer. Click on image to open in new tab.
If the allotments are found to be suitable for animal agriculture (the answer may already known), additional planning and decisions would be required, including an EA or EIS in a new project, to revise the applicable RMP(s) and reallocate or reauthorize resources.
The Montgomery Pass HMA may also be affected.
It’s possible the allotment boundaries could be shifted to eliminate the overlap, but history suggests the WHB areas will be sacrificed for the benefit of permitted grazing.
The project may have been instigated by ranching interests, but this was not specified in the description.
Comments will be accepted through June 16.
Western Horse Watchers Association 