By DANA HERNANDEZ
Sho-Ban News
FORT HALL — The Fort Hall Business Council approved a resolution to declare an emergency drought situation on the Fort Hall Reservation July 27.
Local cattle owners and tribal departments such as Water Resources, BIA, Land Use, and Fish and Wildlife met to discuss the issues of cattle, vegetation, water and land.
Agriculture Resource Manager Preston Buckskin said the declaration is because everything is drying up for example a well in Lone Pine is barely trickling because it wasn’t recharged from snowpack.
Cattlemen have also been advised to bring their cattle off the range about a month early because of resource concerns.
The issues mentioned above branched down to cattle owners and their cost of hay and the opportunities they have to purchase it. Climate change was also discussed because with the dry season there was little to no opportunities left for water and cattle. The dry season also provides more fuel for fires and increases the plants that can withstand dry spells. Vegetation was also discussed and how certain non-native plants grow and kill off other native plants in the area, especially down Bottoms. The non-native plants are not palatable for fisherman or cattle. It was also discussed that climate change isn’t a cattle problem and that removing the cattle won’t change our environment, climate change is a people problem and changes need to be made now so the next generations won’t suffer.
Spence Ward from Water Resources said the Tribes are in a moderate drought level and with the model they are predicting an average winter, which will not get our area out of a drought.
Another issue discussed was fencing and keeping a supply of feed to keep animals off the interstate. It was suggested that a remedy for keeping elk at bay and away from the roads was to plant vegetation for them to feed on.
The area of Bannock Creek was discussed and it was decided the area is no longer good for cattle. Discussion of other areas where cattle could be moved to was suggested to be in the Bottoms area, but there was concern the Bottoms area might not be enough.
Also discussed was the drying up of the water sources. It was also pointed out that the watering areas in Ross Fork were dry. It was suggested that BIA charge a fee for overwatering. Randy Thompson, BIA Superintendent said he is willing to go that route and charge. He also said he is willing to work and find areas that would be good for cattle.
Another issue was the Shoshone-Bannock Enterprise and their available inventory of hay that is available. FHBC Chairman, Devon Boyer said he asked Enterprise to hold on selling their supply because tribal members should get a chance to purchase.
Another meeting is scheduled with everyone again on August 4 at 9 a.m. at the Shoshone-Bannock Casino Hotel.