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News ReleaseFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 1, 2004 CONTACTS: Don Steuter (602) 956-5057, Sandy Bahr (602) 253-8633 Sierra Club Endorses Legislation to Reduce Livestock Grazing on Public Lands(Phoenix) The Sierra Club's Grand Canyon (Arizona) Chapter announced today that it is supporting legislation introduced by Representatives Raśl Grijalva (D-Ariz.) and Christopher Shays (R-Conn.) to reduce livestock grazing on public lands. The Grand Canyon Chapter is endorsing two separate bills, one focusing on the country and one specific to Arizona. H.R. 3324, the Voluntary Grazing Permit Buyout Act has nation-wide scope and the Arizona Voluntary Grazing Permit Buyout Act of 2003 is a pilot program for Arizona. "We are pleased to join nearly 200 ranchers and numerous other conservation organizations in supporting this legislation," said Don Steuter, Conservation Chair for the Grand Canyon Chapter. "These bills will help restore public lands that have been impacted heavily by drought and livestock grazing, plus help us protect Arizona's imperiled riparian areas-those areas along rivers and streams that are essential for wildlife." The buyout program was created by the National Public Lands Grazing Campaign and calls for Congress to pass legislation creating a buyout program that would provide financial compensation to ranchers who choose to voluntarily relinquish their federal grazing leases. "Retiring these grazing permits is a great opportunity for ranchers and conservationists to work together to restore the land," said Steuter. "This plan helps ranchers who are operating in areas that are marginal, at best, for livestock grazing, plus it saves taxpayer money." According to the National Public Lands Grazing Campaign, the American taxpayers spend about $500 million annually to administer cattle grazing on public lands. The voluntary buyout program would save a significant portion of that money while restoring natural landscapes harmed by grazing. The Sierra Club has more than 12,000 members in Arizona and more than 700,000 nationally. It is the oldest, largest and one of the most influential grassroots conservation organizations in the United States. For more information about the voluntary buyout program, visit www.permitbuyout.net ###
Page updated: 03/12/04
Sierra Club, Grand Canyon Chapter, 202 E. McDowell Rd, Suite 277, Phoenix, AZ 85004, (602) 253-8633 |