Smith, Wyden Seek Siskiyou Grazing Buy Out

February 27, 2008

OREGON U. S. SENATOR
Gordon Smith

Press Release: Feb. 27, 2008
Contact: Lindsay Jackson
Phone: 202-224-3753

Smith, Wyden Seek Senate Approval of Siskiyou Grazing Buy Out
Oregonians Andy Kerr an environmentalist and Mike Dauenhauer a rancher
testified in support of Senator Smith's legislation.

- Washington, D.C - Today, Oregon’s U.S. Senators urged the Senate Public Lands Subcommittee to approve a bipartisan compromise that has strong local backing to buy out cattlemen’s grazing leases on the Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument and create 23,000 acres of newly protected wilderness.

“Buyouts should be rare,” Smith said. “But these circumstances are unique and are putting the squeeze on our ranchers. This legislation will keep ranchers in the saddle and in business. Instead of turning to the courts, local interests came together to find solutions that are in everyone’s best interest. That’s the Oregon way.”

"This legislation is possible because ranchers and environmentalists sat down together to create a homegrown solution," said Wyden. "Designating this area as wilderness will provide permanent protection to this ecological powerhouse."

Over the last four years, Senators Smith and Wyden have helped forge a compromise between Oregon cattle ranchers and conservation groups. Their legislation (S. 2379) would provide one-time federal payments to ranchers holding Bureau of Land Management grazing leases on the Monument. The payments would help rancher’s secure new grazing land. Once the grazing leases are relinquished, the allotments would be permanently eliminated on the Monument. Twenty-three thousand acres of new wilderness would then be designated within the boundaries of the Monument, permanently protecting it.

The Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument is 53,000 acres located southeast of Ashland. The Monument proclamation made by President Clinton in 2000 created an uncertain future for grazing within the Monument’s boundaries.

Two Oregon witnesses testified at today’s hearing. Andy Kerr, a long time environmentalist, and Mike Dauenhauer, a Southern Oregon rancher, endorsed the Oregon driven effort and urged the subcommittee to do the same.
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