Impacts of Cattle Grazing in the Salmon River Basin

Riparian zones are ecologically rich areas that connect terrestrial and aquatic environments. Among other indispensable services, riparian areas provide habitat, water, and nutrients that support diverse biotic life. Disturbances to these areas, such as overuse by livestock, cause cascading affects that threaten their ability to function properly. The passing of the Taylor Grazing Act in 1934 ushered in a new era of managed grazing, aimed at minimizing negative impacts to rangelands, all the while retaining the lands’ economic productivity. In Idaho, two-thirds of the land is controlled by federal agencies including the US Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management. For the Salmon River Basin, public lands comprise roughly 90% of the landscape, and provide economic stability for industries dependent on grazing public land. However, overgrazing of riparian areas by cattle damage stream banks, threaten species diversity, reduce fish habitat, and degrade water quality. Effective restoration of vulnerable ecosystems in the Salmon River Basin calls for incorporating riparian-first measures, such as reducing stocking rates, investing in managerial efforts, and when necessary, removing cattle, into existing grazing systems.