Southwest District Sub-RAC

SOUTHWEST RAC SHEEP GRAZING SUB-COMMITTEE

In September 2022, the BLM Southwest Resource Advisory Council (RAC) voted to create a sub-committee to gather information and engage in robust discussion in order to provide a recommendation to the full RAC on domestic sheep grazing permit renewals in bighorn sheep habitat.

The Southwest RAC represents a number of critical stakeholders in the area, including county commissioners, grazing permittees, and mining, recreation, and environmental interests. The Sheep Grazing Sub-Committee consists of members serving in an advisory capacity on issues related to domestic sheep grazing in bighorn sheep habitat managed by the BLM Gunnison Field Office on high alpine allotments near Silverton, Colorado.

Sub-Committee Meetings
The sub-committee is holding six meetings at the BLM Uncompahgre Field Office in Montrose, Colorado between March and September 2023, with a virtual Zoom option available for those unable to attend in person. The sub-committee will aim to present their conclusions to the full RAC for their consideration in fall 2023.

Each meeting takes a deep dive into a particular component of the sheep grazing issue:

 - Framing the Issue
 - Regulations and SOPs
 - Economics
 - Mitigation Opportunities
 - Public Outreach and Tools
 - Conclusion and Next Steps