Detailed instructions for continues grazing of domestic livestock in the Charles. M. Russell National Wildlife Range were issued today in memoranda by the directors of two
Department of the Interior agencies to field officials in Montana.
The memoranda emphasize that grazing on the Range will continue to be administered by the Bureau of Land Management under the Taylor Grazing Act, subject to the program needs of the Bureau of Sport Fisheries and Wildlife—with both agencies participating in any major decisions to be made on grazing.
The memoranda were issued by Karl S. Landstrom, Director of BLM and Daniel H. Janzen, Director of the BSF&W. They called for an early meeting of local officials of both agencies to “set the stage for future cooperation in the management of the Range.”
Highlights of the memoranda include the following:
- Classes of livestock for allotments extending into the Range will not be substantially changed.
- BLM will continue to handle enforcement and other proceedings related to grazing use. Comments by BSF&W officials on compliance and trespass will be invited by BLM.
- Permitted livestock numbers for the parts of grazing allotments extending into the Range will be in accordance with the “Joint Range Survey” completed by the two agencies in1954. Studies will continue to be made by BSF&W.
- Soil and moisture conservation and range improvement projects now underway on the Range will be completed unless they would conflict with future development plans
- Mineral leasing will continue under operational control of BLM.
- Annual plans for grazing, fire protection, range conservation and development on the Range will be developed for discussion with BLM district advisory boards concerned.
- Regular meetings—at least quarterly—will be held between BLM district and State officials with the BSF&W refuge manager
It was noted that Departmental spokesmen have said there are no present definite plans for reduction of domestic livestock grazing use.
The memoranda cover interim management of arrangements, to apply until such time as a new Executive order is issued or other instructions given.
Named for Montana’s great artist and naturalist, the wildlife range formerly was called the Fort Peck Game Range. It covers half a million acres straddling the 125-mile length of the Fort Peck Reservoir in east central Montana.
