Modoc County Board of Supervisors
Box 131
Alturas, Ca 96101

August 19, 1997

By direction of the Modoc County Board of Supervisors, I am responding to the Rangeland Health Standards and Guidelines for California and Northwest Nevada Draft EIS.

We favor Alternative 1 as described in the DEIS.

As you know, the BLM created three Resource Advisory Councils for the areas in your jurisdiction. These councils included members of the interested public, including members representing elected officials. The elected officials: Bill Maze, Tulare County; Nancy Huffman, Modoc County; and Denny Bungarz, Glenn County, have recommended Alternative 1 as the preferred alternative. In their opinion, this alternative meets the objectives of the law, the BLM and ha the least negative effect to the cattle industry and the Counties.

Alternative 1 was developed by a group of citizens with varied backgrounds and interests after considerable training on basic ecological processes.

The Modoc County Board believes Guideline 14, included in Alternative 1, is unnecessary and could cause harm. Because it would require immediate action take place on an allotment that does not meet standards, m any options to solve the problem would not be available. The time frame would not allow, for example, the construction of any kind of improvement to help bring the allotment into compliance because of the time necessary for NEPA analysis, construction, etc. Therefore, the only remedies are those which reduce livestock numbers, seasons of use, etc., all which have adverse economic impacts on local communities. Guideline 14 should be removed so all the tools that could bring an allotment into full compliance remain available.

Your favorable consideration of our recommendation is appreciated.

Sincerely,

Ben Zandstra
Chairman

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