At the June meeting of the Nevada Board of Wildlife Commissioners, the Nevada Department of Wildlife, based on field observations, indicated support for opening several areas to grazing that had previously been closed as a result of wildfire.

"Based on the range conditions, the department supports the return of cattle to grazing allotments where results of vegetative monitoring indicate appropriate recovery. The department will work closely with the livestock industry and public land managers to assist in this process and address the issue of other closed allotments," said Game Division Chief Mark Atkinson during the meeting held in Lovelock.

A decision to open some of the allotments earlier than had been expected would be due to the second wettest June on record. With substantial growth, even on burned ranges, the department has determined that returning livestock to the many of the wildfire impacted allotments would not be detrimental.

The decision did however take some Nevada cattlemen by surprise. "When I first heard what was said at the Commission meeting, I found myself wondering how many times a department director and game chief have stood up in a commission meeting and said that cattle have a place on the range," said Meghan Brown, executive director for the Nevada's Cattlemen's Association. "I realize there are things our industry needs to do as well, however steps toward the middle are important. Hopefully we can continue to work on improving the relationship between these two groups and move forward in a positive direction."

Federal agencies have developed protocols for grazing management following wildfires. These protocols require that the areas meet certain physiological needs of various vegetation types to make sure the range recovers.

The department has also provided input through the years, largely related to key big game habitat types. Typically, these include shrub types important as big game winter ranges or aspen and riparian areas that are important summer habitats for a myriad of wildlife species.

The department's position supports proper livestock grazing management and it is committed to working with the livestock industry and the federal agencies to return livestock to wildfire impacted rangelands when monitoring shows stable productive conditions have been achieved.

In the long run, both wildlife and livestock will benefit from healthy ranges with all interests working together to ensure that there is a future for Nevada's multiple users of our precious public land resources.

"I hope the change is a positive one in a direction that is better not only for the cattle producers in the state, but the sportsmen as well," said Brown.