Issues confronting sagebrush restoration efforts in the Great Basin can be classified as ecological, social, political, and economic in nature (Brunson and Peterson 2007). Public land managers and citizen stakeholders both perceive lack of proper funding as a critical impediment to effective management, financing litigation and appeals, implementing restoration treatments, and conducting monitoring and follow-up of post-treatment sites. Various stakeholder groups may focus on issues relating to their own environmental interests and involvements on rangeland landscapes. Environmental interest groups traditionally focus on issues relating to livestock grazing, land degradation from recreational activities, surface development by extractive industries, and what may be described as a lack of clarity and accountability within federal agencies. Livestock and ranching stakeholders focus on issues that relate to regular interactions with federally employed range conservationists and technicians, as well as governmental interference within agencies, more widespread surface development of rangelands, and lack of the use of local knowledge by agencies in rangeland management and planning. User groups representing recreationists on rangelands tend to focus on issues such as loss of access, increase in surface development, and lack of clarity within management institutions at various scales. Finally, groups such as research institutions and university extension offices focus on training of federal employees, lack of incentive and accountability within federal agencies, and decreased programs within universities focusing on rangeland ecology (compiled from Brunson and Peterson 2007).
Reference
Brunson, M. and J. Peterson. 2007. Comparing Citizens’ and Managers’ Concerns about Sagebrush Management and Restoration in the Great Basin. Utah State University, Unpublished Manuscript. Available here.