Nevada Rangeland Resources Commission (NRRC)

Photo courtesy © Linda Dufurrena

The NRRC is happy to provide the following information for the media. If you have any questions or would like to arrange an interview, please contact Deloyd Satterthwaite, Chairman, 775-753-5563

Press Releases | Backgrounder | Position Papers | Scientific Support

Press Releases - Click here to download the Wildfire Press Release in PDF format

STATE OF NEVADA
NEVADA RANGELAND RESOURCES COMMISSION
350 Capitol Hill Avenue
Reno, Nevada 89502-2923
Telephone: 775-688-1180 ~ Fax 775-688-1178

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
September 24, 2004
CONTACT: Scott Walquist, KPS|3, 775.686.7439,scott@kps3.com

NEVADA RANGELAND RESOURCES COMMISSION RELEASES
INFORMATION ON RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN WILDFIRES,
GRAZING AND SAGE-GROUSE CONSERVATION

RENO,NEV. – The Nevada Rangeland Resources Commission (NRRC) has released information regarding the role of livestock grazing in helping to preserve Sage-Grouse habitat. Studies have proven that well-managed grazing can help limit the fuels that lead to destructive wildfires, one of the top three threats faced by the Sage-Grouse, according to the State of Nevada Sage-Grouse Conservation Team’s recently released plan.

The US Fish and Wildlife Service is considering listing the Sage-Grouse as an endangered or threatened species, and will release a preliminary finding late this year. Approximately 44 percent of Nevada is listed as Sage-Grouse habitat. If the Sage-Grouse were put on the endangered or threatened list, land development, land use, water use and recreation in those areas would be halted. One of the key areas affected would be livestock grazing on public and private land.
In fall of this year the State of Nevada Sage-Grouse Conservation Team unveiled its plan for Sage-Grouse conservation, which lists wildfire as the greatest threat facing the species in Nevada. Destructive wildfires, in part caused by drought and the spread of cheat grass, have increased in recent years, contributing to the loss of Sage-Grouse habitat. In areas where fuel loads are managed by controlled grazing, such fires are less common.

While overgrazing can contribute to habitat loss, managed grazing can benefit Sage-Grouse populations in additional ways:

Reduction of the fuel load that leads to destructive wildfires
Improved meadow desirability by reducing cover for Sage-Grouse predators
Prolonged availability and green growth of preferred plants
Irrigated meadows provide much needed water and green plants for Sage-Grouse, and increase Sage-Grouse habitat

Creation of a better managed sage brush environment, rather than the over-mature sage brush habitat that exists today

While studies are inconclusive about the Sage-Grouse population in Nevada, the NRRC believes that current populations do not justify listing the bird on the endangered or threatened list, and that the opportunity exists for better management of Sage-Grouse habitat in Nevada.

The Nevada Legislature created the Rangeland Resources Commission in 1999, in response to concern about the decreasing viability of Nevada ranching. The NRRC is funded by the livestock industry to promote the benefits of rangelands through information, education and collaboration.
The Commission’s stated mission is to inform the public that Nevada’s rangelands are a vital economic resource, protected and preserved for all citizens by a stable, sustainable livestock industry.

The Commission’s goals are:

To promote public support for Nevada’s range livestock industry.
To broaden NRRC services and efforts to include all citizens and users of public lands.
To achieve and sustain a healthy rangeland resource and livestock industry through responsible, scientifically based management.
To educate the public that Nevada’s rangelands are a renewable source of important consumer products and environmental values.

Press Releases - Click here to download the Sage-Grouse Press Release in PDF format

STATE OF NEVADA
NEVADA RANGELAND RESOURCES COMMISSION
350 Capitol Hill Avenue
Reno, Nevada 89502-2923
Telephone: 775-688-1180 ~ Fax 775-688-1178

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
November 10, 2004
CONTACT: Suellen Knopick, KPS|3, 775.686.7432, suellen@kps3.com

***MEDIA ADVISORY—PHOTO OPPORTUNITY***
NEVADA RANCHERS WORKING TO CONSERVE SAGE-GROUSE

WHO: Duane Combs, manager of the Smith Creek Ranch outside of Austin Matt McKinney, manager of Bentley Agrowdynamics Cattle Operation in Gardnerville

WHAT: Duane Combs and Matt McKinney are two Nevada ranchers who began implementing activities directed at preserving sage-grouse habitat and increasing population before the State of Nevada’s Sage-Grouse Conservation Plan was finalized. The methods they are using are examples of what the State proposes to help increase sage-grouse numbers and keep the species from an endangered species listing. Duane Combs has brought five state agencies together to institute a pilot program in Porter Canyon, outside Austin. The project involves managing grazing, restoring watershed, removal of pinyon/juniper and overmature sage to attract sage-grouse. Through careful measurement and study, it’s the project’s goal to show that improvements and land management techniques can help restore habitat.
Matt McKinney has served on the several sage-grouse committees, and is actively implementing grazing practices that can increase sage-grouse numbers on the approximately 55,000 acres he grazes. From timing the grazing of cattle to avoid nesting sites to intensely grazing overmature sage brush, Matt and the agencies he works with are working together to conserve the sage-grouse.

Both these ranchers are available and eager to tell their stories to the press.WHERE: Duane Combs, Smith Creek Ranch
smithcreekcowboy@hotmail.com
775-428-2910
Matt McKinney
matt.mckinney@bpb-co.com
775-783-8927

Please call either rancher to schedule an appointment, or call Suellen Knopick, 775-686-7432 for more information.

WHY: The US Fish and Wildlife Service is considering listing the sage-grouse as an endangered or threatened species, and will release a preliminary finding late this year. Approximately 44 percent of Nevada is listed as sage-grouse habitat. If the sage-grouse were put on the endangered or threatened list, land development, land use, water use and recreation in those areas would be halted. One of the key areas affected would be livestock grazing on public and private land.
In fall of this year the State of Nevada Sage-Grouse Conservation Team unveiled its plan for sage-grouse conservation, which lists wildfire as the greatest threat facing the species in Nevada. Destructive wildfires, in part caused by drought and the spread of cheat grass, have increased in recent years, contributing to the loss of sage-grouse habitat. In areas where fuel loads are managed by controlled grazing, such fires are less common. While overgrazing can contribute to habitat loss, managed grazing can benefit sage-grouse populations in the following ways;

Prolonged availability and green growth of preferred plants
Irrigated meadows provide much needed water and green plants for sage-grouse, and increase sage-grouse habitat
Creation of a better managed sage brush environment, rather than the over-mature sage brush habitat that exists today

BACKGROUND ON THE NRRC: The Nevada Legislature created the Rangeland Resources Commission in 1999, in response to concern about the decreasing viability of Nevada ranching. The NRRC is funded by the livestock industry to promote the benefits of rangelands through information, education and collaboration. The Commission’s stated mission is to inform the public that Nevada’s rangelands are a vital economic resource, protected and preserved for all citizens by a stable, sustainable livestock industry.

The Commission’s goals are:

To promote public support for Nevada’s range livestock industry.
To broaden NRRC services and efforts to include all citizens and users of public lands.
To achieve and sustain a healthy rangeland resource and livestock industry through responsible, scientifically based management.
To educate the public that Nevada’s rangelands are a renewable source of important consumer products and environmental values.

For interview opportunities, please contact Suellen Knopick at KPS|3, 775.686.7432 or suellen@kps3.com.

Backgrounder - Click here to download in PDF format

STATE OF NEVADA
NEVADA RANGELAND RESOURCES COMMISSION
350 Capitol Hill Avenue
Reno, Nevada 89502-2923
Telephone: 775-688-1180 ~ Fax 775-688-1178

Backgrounder

Contact:
Scott Walquist, KPS|3 775-686-2116
Suellen Knopick, KPS|3 775-686-7432

The Nevada Legislature created the Rangeland Resources Commission in 1999, in response to concern about the decreasing viability of Nevada ranching. The NRRC is funded by the livestock industry through an assessment on public land use to promote the benefits of rangelands through information, education and collaboration.

Nine commissioners compose the NRRC. The Commission consists of one member from each state grazing board or and the president or their designee from the Nevada Cattlemen’s Association, the Nevada Woolgrowers Association and the Nevada Farm Bureau. Each Commissioner serves four years unpaid and meet quarterly.

The Commission’s stated mission is to inform the public that Nevada’s rangelands are a vital economic resource, protected and preserved for all citizens by a stable, sustainable livestock industry.

The Commission’s goals are:

To promote public support for Nevada’s range livestock industry.
To broaden NRRC services and efforts to include all citizens and users of public lands.
To achieve and sustain a healthy rangeland resource and livestock industry through responsible, scientifically based management.
To educate the public that Nevada’s rangelands are a renewable source of important consumer products and environmental values.
To advocate research and balanced use of rangeland resources and provide solutions to related issues.
To stabilize Nevada’s public land livestock industry.

For more information or interview and story opportunities, please contact Scott Walquist, KPS|3,
775-686-2116.

Position Paper - Click here to download in PDF format

STATE OF NEVADA
NEVADA RANGELAND RESOURCES COMMISSION
350 Capitol Hill Avenue
Reno, Nevada 89502-2923
Telephone: 775-688-1180 ~ Fax 775-688-1178

Position Paper

RE: Petition Requesting Listing of Greater Sage-grouse as an Endangered Species

Background
The US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) is in receipt of Petitions requesting the listing of the Greater Sage-grouse as an endangered Species. A response to the petition is expected from the USFWS late in 2004.

Under the direction of Governor Kenny Guinn, the state of Nevada began in 2000 to formulate a Nevada and Eastern California Sage-grouse Conservation Plan, with the goal of identifying a planning strategy that would help conserve Sage-grouse and its habitat. Nevada’s strategy is to prove to the USFWS that local and state groups can work together on the Sage-grouse issue without the vast economic impacts of an endangered species listing.

Approximately 44% of Nevada is listed as Sage-grouse habitat. An endangered species listing could halt, or severely restrict, land development, land use, water use and recreation in these areas. A key area that would likely be affected is public and private land livestock grazing.

Position Statement
While Sage-grouse numbers have declined from historic levels, but now appear to be stable, the Nevada Rangeland Resources Commission agrees with the State of Nevada and believes that current populations do not justify a listing as endangered at this time.

There is an opportunity to better manage the Sage-grouse habitat, and responsible grazing plays a vital role in that management. The NRRC believes that managed livestock grazing provides habitat attractive to

Sage-grouse in the following ways:

Grazing helps reduce fuel loads that can lead to destructive wildfires. Intensively managed grazing, mostly by sheep or goats, has been shown to substantially reduce fire fuels and can be used to create fuel breaks around communities and important resources.
Grazing can improve meadow desirability by reducing cover for predators
Grazing can prolong the availability and green growth of preferred plants
Irrigated meadows associated with livestock production provide much needed water and green plants for Sage-Grouse, and increase Sage-Grouse habitat
Grazing is compatible with vegetation management that creates a mosaic of successional stages on the landscape to benefit sage-grouse

The NRRC also encourages better land management by private landowners that will result in a habitat suitable for Sage-Grouse.

Scientific Support
Many scientific studies and papers support grazing as a method of managing the Sage-Grouse habitat and the NRRC’s position. Some of these can be found in their entirety on the NRRC website, www.nevadarangelands.org:

Back,G.N. An Industry Response to The Petition to List Sage-Grouse as Threatened or Endangered Under the Endangered Species Act and Public Comment
Back, G.N., M.R. Barrington and J.K. McAdoo. 1987. Sage grouse use of snow burrows in northeastern Nevada. Wilson Bulletin. 99:488-490.
Klebenow, D. A. 1970. Sage grouse versus sagebrush control in Idaho. J. Range Manage. 33:605-609.
Klebenow, D.A. 1972. The habitat requirements of sage grouse and the role of fire in management. Tall Timbers Fire Ecology. Conference 12:305-315.
Klebenow, D.A. 1985. Habitat management for sage grouse in Nevada. World Pheasant Association Journal X:34-46.
Klebenow, D.A., and G. M. Gray. 1968. Food habits of juvenile sage grouse. Journal of Range Management 21:80-83.
Klebenow, D.A. 1982. Livestock grazing interactions with sage grouse. Proc. Wildlife-Livestock Relationships Symp., Coeur d'Alene, Idaho. Univ. Idaho, Moscow. pp. 113-123.

Scientific Support - Click here for more information

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