Domestic Sheep Conflict Resolution

Across Colorado and the west, the greatest threat to bighorn sheep herds is often the grazing of domestic sheep on federal grazing allotments managed by the U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management. Domestic sheep carry pathogens that can cause die-offs and long-term lamb recruitment issues in bighorn sheep. Historically, grazing was permitted almost anywhere grass was available. But as conservation on public lands evolved, the need to weigh and balance competing uses increased. This became more acute as Congress passed new laws dealing with multiple-use, conservation of watersheds, and protection of sensitive and endangered species.

The RMBS recognizes the economic value grazing permits represent to livestock producers. Ranchers frequently sell grazing permits to one another, and banks even lend money based on their value. In situations where conflicts between domestic and wild sheep are prolonged and intractable, the RMBS believes that grazing retirements represent an equitable solution for livestock and wildlife interests. In coordination with federal land managers, the RMBS and our partner organizations negotiate with livestock producers to retire livestock grazing allotments on public lands that experience chronic conflict.

Agreements to retire grazing allotments are strictly voluntary. If a rancher with conflicts is interested in a grazing retirement, a price is negotiated based on the value of forage available on each allotment. Since ranchers regularly sell permits to one another, a market value is already established. The RMBS may pay a small premium over the price a rancher may receive if selling to another producer. Once an agreement is reached, we approach the land management agency (U.S. Forest Service or Bureau of Land Management) to ensure that they are willing to permanently vacate the allotment from domestic sheep grazing if the rancher gives up his grazing permit. 

Grazing retirements typically follow a 3-step process:

  1. The rancher waives his grazing permit back to the appropriate land management agency without preference to another producer.
  2. The agency writes a decision letter stipulating future use of the allotment.
  3. The rancher is provided with a compensation check.

The RMBS prioritizes conflict allotments based upon their proximity to core native bighorn sheep populations, but also capitalizes on opportunities as they arise near lower priority herds that are the result of transplant efforts. We do not seek to remove all livestock grazing from public lands. In fact, we have worked with ranchers and land management agencies to convert high conflict domestic sheep allotments to cattle allotments when cattle grazing is deemed an appropriate use.

Please consider contributing to our domestic sheep conflict resolution program