Forest Plans Weigh Sheep and Goat Grazing Against Bighorns
Published Date: 10/23/2026
Notice
Summary
The Forest Service is updating the Okanogan and Wenatchee National Forest plans to add new rules for domestic sheep and goat grazing to protect bighorn sheep. People and groups with concerns have 60 days from the notice publication to file objections before the changes are finalized. This update affects local ranchers and wildlife managers and aims to balance grazing with wildlife protection without immediate cost changes.
Analyzed Economic Effects
1 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
New grazing rules (BHS 1 & BHS 2)
The Okanogan and Wenatchee National Forest plans will add two standards called BHS 1 and BHS 2. BHS 1 requires maintaining effective separation of domestic sheep and bighorn sheep on active grazing allotments to reduce disease transmission. BHS 2 requires using a risk assessment to decide whether and how domestic sheep and goat allotments are stocked. The notice says this affects local ranchers and wildlife managers and aims to balance grazing with bighorn sheep protection without immediate cost changes.
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Key Dates
Department and Agencies
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