Future Of Ranching Economics, Use OfPublic Lands Is Focus Of Idaho Grazing Summit

Boise â?? Idaho ranching on public lands is at a turning point, and the future and sustainability of grazing activities on public lands will be the focus of a summit meeting hosted by Idahoâ??s congressional delegation on August 25th in Boise. Idaho Senators Larry Craig and Mike Crapo have sponsored grazing workshops throughout Idaho and those discussions will culminate in public forums featuring U.S. Undersecretary of Agriculture Mark Rey and Bureau of Land Management Director Kathleen Clarke. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Director Steve Williams will also attend, as will William Hogarth of NOAA Fisheries/NMFS.Crapo will moderate morning panel discussions among the agency leaders, and a wide range of industry, interest groups and others seeking collaborative answers to questions about economically and ecologically sustainable public lands grazing activities. The forum, co-sponsored by the Idaho Rangeland Committee, is intended to produce solution-oriented ideas toward sustainable grazing activities and practices.Simpson and Otter are expected to attend parts of the morning session, which begins with opening statements at 9:00 a.m. in the Boise City Council Chambers on the Third Floor of the Boise City Hall, 150 North Capitol Boulevard. The sessions are open to the public and expected to run until 4:00 p.m.Among those expected to make statements or otherwise participate are the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Department of Interior, U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, Fish & Wildlife Service, NOAA, State of Idaho, Idaho Rangeland Committee, Idaho Conservation League, University of Idaho, Idaho Cattle Association, Idaho Fish & Game, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, and many other groups. # # #