Coordination was recently described as the powerful tool for local governments that separates the men from the boys.

The County Seat TV interviewed Kane County, Utah Commissioner, Jim Matson, and Planning Director, Shannon McBride about their experiences using coordination to increase grazing in the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument. When they began this process, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) was preparing a Livestock Grazing Amendment to the Monument plan that was on course to permanently reduce livestock grazing to 32,000 animal unit months (AUM’s).  After a year and a half of coordinating this issue with the County, the BLM has had to change course and propose a plan that will return grazing to the pre-monument levels of 106,000 AUM’s.

There is still much work to be done to ensure current grazing levels are increased in the 1.8 million acre monument withdrawn by President Clinton, but the County is fully engaged and committed to doing so.  What changed the direction on this issue for the County?  It was their insistence that the BLM coordinate fully with them on the plan amendment.

Click here to watch The County Seat TV interview.