Forest Service Grazing, Grulla #3907, and BLM Response to Shade Requests

The U.S. Forest Service (FS) has issued a decision to renew a cattle grazing permit in the 158,000-acre Sunflower Allotment in the Tonto National Forest northeast of Phoenix, Arizona. It’s been more than a decade since cattle were allowed to graze in this sensitive and fragile Sonoran Desert ecosystem, which has not yet recovered from the effects of past livestock overgrazing. This decision will have serious impacts on the environment and wildlife — including wild horses. The allotment lies in close proximity to habitat used by the unique Salt River wild horse population, which currently lacks federal protection despite the FS’ admission that wild horses have been present on these public lands since at least the 1930’s — long before the Wild Free Roaming Horses and Burros Act was passed. AWHPC is filing an objection to the decision to reauthorize grazing on this allotment. Please learn more about this situation and add your name to our objection by taking action below!