These photos show the current degraded condition of watershed areas in Owyhee redband and sage-grouse habitats. Grazing had caused headcutting and prevented willows from occupying banks. The drainage system is dying. The Soda Rehab Plan and nearly all current Owyhee grazing permits have not protections for any thing other than larger perennial system. Even then, unless the individual tributary drainage has documented redbands, it receives no protection.
These systems desperately need prolonged rest from grazing to stop the rampant desertification processes underway.
Seeding of exotic cattle forage grass has further damaged drainage banks. Drainage networks are treated as “disposable”. There are no cattle utilization, trampling, or browse standards that public lands ranchers must meet – except spottily on more major streams.
