In a break with precedent around the West,
conservationists in Oregon will now be allowed to bid against
ranchers for leases on state-owned land (HCN, 7/25/94). By a 2-1
vote, the Oregon Land Board gave the okay July 29 to competitive
bidding and specified that state land can be leased for
“conservation use.” Some parcels will be exempt and there will be a
shakeout period with further policy adjustments possible. Several
conservation groups that had forced the issue said they will make
formal application to bid on grazing leases in the Owyhee Canyon
area and elsewhere. “The hard part now is making sure we have the
financial wherewithal to secure the lease” and manage the land
properly, said Bill Marlett, director of the Oregon Natural Desert
Association. The new rules call for management plans to be prepared
for parcels that include critical habitat or threatened and
endangered species. The board also raised grazing fees for the
first time in 15 years, from $2.50 to $3.01 per month for each
cow-calf pair on small parcels, and to $4.56 on large parcels. The
rule changes seek to maximize revenues which help fund Oregon’s
school system.
This article appeared in the print edition of the magazine with the headline Ranchers face competition.
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