I am a former resident of Dolores and keep up, somewhat, with things happening in the region.
I read with dismay of discussions about potentially opening Canyons of the Ancients National Monument lands up to grazing (Journal, Nov. 3). That would be a shame.
I emailed that article from The Journal to friends. One of them emailed me with the following two articles: http://www.blm.gov/wo/st/en/info/newsroom/2015/january/nr_01_30_2015.html www.publiclandsranching.org/htmlres/wr_taking_stock.htm I think they are worth reading to get some statistics about the “creative calculations exaggerating the relative importance of the livestock grazing industry for political purposes.”
If the statistics are accurate, “It is grossly inefficient to make blanket public policies to deal with the problems of a few. It is far more efficient to deal directly with those who suffer significant impacts and assist them to make the necessary adjustments...”
To be able to continue the historically important, western-iconic lifestyle that a very few Western ranchers want to live is important.
Maintaining that iconic image of the West is as important to me as to the next person.
It’s getting harder to justify making public policies based upon an iconic image that may soon be only that: an historic iconic image.
Apparently “90 percent of the income received by farm/ranch operators comes from non-farm sources,” if the statistics are accurate.
Stephanie Abel
Pine Valley, Calif.
