Alaska Lands

Withdrawal Review & Processing

This increase of $88,000 is to:

Evaluate the effect of all proposed withdrawals on subsistence uses and needs.

Make minor boundary adjustments of wild and scenic rivers, NCA's and
NRA's. Includes mapping, legal descriptions and noting of Master
Title Plats and Historical Indexes.

Object Classification Distribution

The object class detail for this proposed $88,000 increase is as follows:

Justification of Program and Performance

Activity:

Composite Subactivity:

3. Renewable Resources Management
Rangeland Management

The Renewable Resources Management activity includes three subactivities that make up BLM's rangeland management program: Range Management; Soil, Water, and Air Management; and Wildlife Habitat Management. In addition, the Range Improvement appropriation, funded from grazing fees, also supports on-theground rangeland improvements. The Range Improvement fund is included below

to reflect the total rangeland management program but is described in the Range Improvement appropriation section.

Objectives

The long-term objectives for the Rangeland Management Program to be accomplished by 1999 are to:

improve the condition of rangeland vegetation and maintain it at desired levels of quality, quantity, and diversity;

(Target: Improve 135 million acres of vegetation currently in poor or

fair condition to higher classes.)

reduce erosion, minimize sedimentation and siltation, promote infiltration and ensure the stability and productivity of rangeland soils; (Target Reduce erosion occurring on 68 million acres currently in severe, critical, or moderate condition and stabilize 80 million acres now in slight erosion condition.)

ensure that water of sufficient quantity and quality is available to provide for the basic needs of the vegetation, protect ground water recharge, meet Federal and State water quality standards, and provide for recognized uses;

through cooperation in management, minimize short-term disruption and ensure the long-term growth of the Western livestock industry and the economies of many Western communities dependent upon the public lands; increase forage supplies for livestock, wild horses and burros, and wildlife as a principal output of improving the rangeland ecosystem; (Target: Double the current annual forage production from 5.6 million tons to 11.2 million tons per year.)

ensure the protection of threatened or endangered plant and animal
species and their habitats;
(Target:

Manage 54 million acres of potential habitat for six endangered
species presently identified in recovery plans until further
information on the location of and kinds of habitat protection
needed is more precisely determined.)

provide and protect habitat for fish and wildlife to ensure stability and natural diversity; enhance streamside, shoreline, emergent, and submergent vegetation; and provide water of a quantity and quality necessary for fish, other aquatic organisms, and waterfowl; (Target: Protect and enhance 155 million acres of terrestrial habitat; improve and protect 6,500 miles of streams.)

regulate and manage flood plains and wetlands to ensure protection of lives and property and to improve and conserve riparian systems.

The objectives of BLM's Range Management Program are to:

- improve the condition of rangeland vegetation and maintain it at desired levels of quality, quantity, and diversity;

minimize short-term disruption and ensure the long-term growth of the Western livestock industry and the economies of many Western communities dependent upon the public lands:

increase forage supplies for livestock, wild horses and burros, and wildlife as a major output of improving the rangeland ecosystem;

ensure viable populations of healthy free-roaming wild horses and burros in equilibrium with their habitat and other resource values under the principles of multiple use

- control wild horse and burro populations; and

- provide for the humane care and proper treatment of wild horses and burros.

Base Program

BLM administers approximately 174 million acres of public lands in the 16 Western states of which 170 million acres are classified as rangelands. These lands provide a portion of the forage consumed by an estimated 2.9 million cattle, 3.7 million sheep and goats, 16,000 domestic horses, and approximately 65,000 wild horses and burros. There are also 15,000 reindeer authorized to graze on public lands in Alaska. BLM's Range Management Program includes the wild horse and burro and grazing management components. The grazing management component generates receipts for grazing use estimated at $27.8 million in 1981 and $30.0 million in 1982.