USFS Bighorn Report

A Request for Reconsideration was filed by the Colorado Wool Growers Association, along with 35 other national and state livestock groups, in response to the U.S. Forest Services (USFS) report, A Review of Disease Related Conflicts Between Domestic Sheep and Goats and Bighorn Sheep (GTR-209 - USFS Bighorn Report). The petitioners requested that the USFS "retract the USFS Bighorn Report and all reliance thereon in existing and subsequent forest plans and forest plan amendments, as well as decisions on grazing permits and grazing permit renewals." Additionally, the groups requested that the USFS issue an amended USFS Bighorn Report that uses sound analytical methods and the best data available, ensuring transparency and objectivity in the information disseminated.

The request referenced the July decision by the Idaho District Court ruling that the findings and conclusions on the risk of disease transmission from domestic sheep to bighorn sheep submitted by the Risk Assessment Disease Transmission (RADT) Committee and the Payette Principles Committee are not to be used by the USFS in making any future agency determinations.

GTR-209-USFS Bighorn Report included eight principles extrapolated from the RADT.

"Since GTR-209 includes findings and recommendations developed by the Payette Principles Committee, it would not be appropriate for the USFS to use GTR-209 in agency decisions or policy development. Given these circumstances, I am retracting GTR-209 in agency decisions or policy development," stated Charles L. Myers, USFS deputy chief for business operations in his letter of response.