The NPSO acknowledges the importance of the issue of domestic livestock grazing on lands and waters of our state.

We see it as involving not only the biological diversity of our state but also the lives of many of its people.

We recognize that many lands in Oregon have been adversely impacted by livestock grazing.

NPSO's goal is to prevent any further damage to natural resources and to encourage the restoration of lands that have been damaged.

We wish to emphasize science-based management for healthy native ecosystems, restoration of degraded lands, and cooperative approaches among agencies, landowners, permittees and interest groups.

Bulletin, November 1993

 

Therefore, on publicly-owned land:

1.

NPSO advocates the full protection of riparian and wetland systems from degradation by domestic livestock.

We advocate protection of the vegetation, natural water supply, water quality and soil in these areas.

2.

NPSO advocates elimination of grazing on public grasslands with remaining native bunchgrass communities that are judged to be in excellent ecological condition.

3.

NPSO advocates the elimination of grazing from specially designated lands including Research Natural Areas, wilderness areas, relict areas, wild and scenic river corridors, national parks, wildlife refuges, national monuments, Areas of Critical Environmental Concern, Wilderness Study Areas and other special natural areas.

4.

NPSO particularly advocates the protection of rare components of biologic communities that are threatened with extinction.

5.

NPSO acknowledges the threat to native plant communities from the invasion of alien, non-native plant species, and we recommend appropriate management practices that reverse this trend.

6.

NPSO opposes revegetation practices in which native plant communities are replaced with exotic plants, such as crested wheatgrass plantings.

7.

NPSO acknowledges the impacts that management of surrounding private lands have on public lands and resources.

These impacts include effects on stream flows, integrity of riparian areas, invasion by alien plants and animals, and desired populations of native animals.

NPSO advocates educational programs, regulation, and tax incentives which encourage good private land management. 

 

8.

In support of NPSO's educational and scientific mission, we strongly urge comprehensive monitoring studies comparing the ecology of grazed and ungrazed ecosystems.

These can become the basis for rational management decisions.

9.

NPSO encourages efforts to monitor and upgrade the condition of public lands and supports the goals of having all lands in excellent ecological condition.

We support use of fire and native plant restoration as management tools, particularly where control of woody species is important.

10.

We recognize that allotment stocking rates during years of average rainfall may have disastrous effects during drought years and therefore strongly urge land managers to develop grazing plans based on dry year forage production.

11.

NPSO supports cooperative ventures and partnerships where private and public land can be managed using principles of landscape ecology and ecosystem management.

We see discussion and cooperation as productive approaches to land management challenges.

12.

NPSO recognizes the damage that feral horses and burros have caused and asks for their control or elimination.