Summary: The debate over the effects of domestic livestock grazing are particularly important in the nations' so-called hot deserts--the Mojave, the Sonoran, and the Chihuahuan--because of the fragile ecosystems there and the length of time it takes for damaged areas to recover. GAO concludes that current livestock grazing activity on Bureau of Land Management (BLM) allotments in hot desert areas risks long-term environmental damage while not generating enough revenues to provide for adequate management. According to recent data, the economic benefits derived from livestock grazing on BLM lands in the hot desert areas are minimal. The primary economic benefits accrue to about 1,000 livestock operators who hold livestock grazing permit in these areas. Yet many of these operators derive little income from ranching the public lands, who instead place a premium on the traditional lifestyle they are able to maintain via the permits. Conversely, other public land users value the use of desert lands for environmental preservation and recreation. GAO found that BLM lacks the staff needed to collect and evaluate data measuring the impact of livestock grazing on many desert allotments. Without these data, BLM is in no position to assess livestock usage of desert allotments and change usage as needed.
