Get reliable science

The historic wildfires of 2007 have caused extraordinary losses to Utah livestock operators and farm‐ ers.  As a result of this natural disaster, and the persistent drought, the Utah Partners for Conserva‐ tion and Development (UPCD) has called for emergency relief for our farmers and ranchers.  The fol‐ lowing report outlines what specific aid is available from individual members of the UPCD and what policy changes are needed to prevent such catastrophic fires in the future State and Federal agencies have come together under the umbrella of the Utah Partners for Conser‐ vation and Development (Utah PCD) to form a Collaborative Group Effort to design and Implement Stabilization actions for the entire burned area and to do so regardless of land ownership.    The UPCD announced plans in late July to work in two teams to find short and long term help for those in need.  The first team’s goal is to address the needs of the ranchers and farmers impacted.   The second team’s goal is to address the needs to stabilize and restore the land damaged by the fires.   (Source:Introduction) The rehabilitation of the lost range land will be a long‐term effort.  In the interim, ranchers are faced with either moving their animals to other land, purchasing feed to supplement what grazing land they have left, or sell off their herds temporarily or permanently. The UPCD recognizes that the effected operators will endure hardships even during restoration ef‐ forts. The Partners will continue to work with ranchers during and after this year’s fire season to as‐ sure they receive all the assistance available.  The assistance intervention team might be needed to interact with operators to facilitate their application for assistance. (source: Summary)