Evaluating the Consequences of a Public Land Grazing Permit Buyout Program, Permit Reductions, and Fee Increases

Recipient Organization
UNIVERSITY OF MONTANA
COLLEGE OF FORESTRY AND CONSERVATION
MISSOULA,MT 59812

Performing Department
COLLEGE OF FORESTRY AND CONSERVATION

Non Technical Summary
Grazing permits enhance the economic viability of ranching. Maintaining viable ranching operations in turn prevents the loss of open space. Loss of open space due to subdivisions and "hobby ranches" is responsible for reducing habitat for wildlife species, introducing exotic species, and dramatic alteration in rural communities. This study will provide socio-demographic profiles for landowners to help managers better understand social motivations for ranching, implications of permit removal, ongoing conservation activities, and possible policy solutions. An increased understanding of how a program like a buyout would be perceived by ranchers, will help mitigate the effects of open space loss since alternative and better policies can be made with this new knowledge.

Animal Health Component

100%

Research Effort Categories

Basic

(N/A)

Applied

100%

Developmental

(N/A)

Classification

Knowledge Area (KA)	Subject of Investigation (SOI)	Field of Science (FOS)	Percent
123	0799	3080	100%

Knowledge Area
123 - Management and Sustainability of Forest Resources;

Subject Of Investigation
0799 - Rangelands and grasslands, general;

Field Of Science
3080 - Sociology;

Goals / Objectives
1) To evaluate the consequences of a proposed BLM and FS grazing permit buyout program in the Rocky Mountain states. 2) To evaluate the impact for rural land loss and economic impacts.

Project Methods
A statistical analyses of both a Mail-out survey to 2000 individuals and personal interviews will be used to: 1) Estimate participation among grazing permitees with proposed buyout program; 2) Evaluate the impacts of the program, as well as increased fees and herd reduction on fragmentation of private lands; 3) Describe socio-demographics characteristics of permitees; and 4) Publish findings to both agencies, and peer-reviewed journals.

Progress 03/29/03 to 07/31/05

Outputs
To date all data for the study has been collected and analyzed. This data includes statistical information gathered from a mail-survey and qualitative data collected with personal interviews. Current efforts for this research are centered on developing likely outcomes due to a buyout related to economic, social, and ecological impacts. A final report and formal presentation of the results will be completed on time.

Impacts
Grazing permits enhance the economic viability of ranching, therefore maintaining viable ranching operations prevents the conversion of rangeland to residential development. Thus, the grazing permit program produces benefits other than direct support of ranches. This project also impacts managers by providing information which they can incorporate into their land use plans. In addition, some site specific cost-benefit models are being developed based on possible scenarios uncovered during data collection.

Publications

No publications reported this period

Progress 01/01/04 to 12/30/04

Outputs
To date all data for the study has been collected and analyzed. This data includes statistical information gathered from a mail-survey and qualitative data collected with personal interviews. Current efforts for this research are centered on developing likely outcomes due to a buyout related to economic, social, and ecological impacts. A final report and formal presentation of the results will be completed on time.

Impacts
Grazing permits enhance the economic viability of ranching, therefore maintaining viable ranching operations prevents the conversion of rangeland to residential development. Thus, the grazing permit program produces benefits other than direct support of ranches. This project also impacts managers by providing information which they can incorporate into their land use plans. In addition, some site specific cost-benefit models are being developed based on possible scenarios uncovered during data collection.

Publications

No publications reported this period