The Forest Service is studying a plan to allow hundreds of cattle to graze along stretches of the Salt River. Conservation groups say it's a bad idea.
As the Sonoran Desert fades beyond the horizon and flat lands slowly give way, the rugged landscape of Tonto National Forest bends toward the sky east of Phoenix. Desert-dwelling saguaros are replaced by pine forests that are a refuge for campers and hikers looking to escape the arid conditions.
Conservation groups oppose the plan because of adverse environmental impacts. They believe the Forest Service is ignoring science in favor of ranchers.The Forest Service maintains its decisions are in line with the best conservation data. The Rockin Four Ranch opposed the Forest Service’s proposals for maintaining scenic view sheds, setting minimum vegetation heights for wildlife habitat, and the requirements from the Forest Service to maintain wildlife escape ramps in livestock waters.
Located in the Globe Ranger District, eight miles north and northwest of Globe, the allotment encompasses a total area of 66,838 acres spread out over 21 pastures. The Forest Service says this range falls within conservative estimates based on average and estimated forage production.The Center for Biological Diversity believes otherwise.
Livestock seeks out water, succulent forage and shade in riparian areas, leading to trampling and overgrazing of stream banks, soil erosion, loss of stream bank stability, declining water quality and drier conditions, researchers have found. Reduced habitat for riparian plant species, cold-water fish and wildlife has caused native species throughout the West to decline in number or go locally extinct.
The removal of these native plant species and the introduction of pastures located on or near riparian areas have already led to contaminated water. “Water quality degradation due to runoff is referred to as non-point source pollution, which can occur from water running over any surface, not just pastureland,” said Opplemen. “Potential impacts to water quality can include increased sediment, which may contain E. coli and naturally occurring minerals or pollutants.”Without that natural riparian buffer, minerals and pollutants can flow unimpeded and pour into the Salt River.
Healthy riparian ecosystems contribute to channel stability by increasing resistance, reducing flood peaks, trapping sediment and increasing groundwater recharge. Once vegetation is removed for modifications, a channel's resistance to erosion is lowered and can lead to an increase in flooding.on the Hicks-Pike Peak Allotment conducted by the U.
The Salt River Canyon Wilderness area is home to the endangered southwestern willow flycatcher and razorback sucker, as well as the threatened yellow-billed cuckoo and habitat for the narrow-headed garter snake.
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