Forest seeks public comments on proposal to balance bighorn sheep and domestic grazing needs

Wenatchee, WA (July 24, 2025) -The Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest is seeking public comments on a draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) that proposes amending land management plans to guide domestic livestock grazing and better protect bighorn sheep populations. Forest plan amendments include standards and guidelines to provide for effective separation of domestic sheep and bighorn sheep and conduct risk assessments for bighorn sheep-domestic sheep interactions. 

The draft proposes changes to nine allotments where domestic sheep and goats currently graze. Alternatives include maintaining grazing, converting to cattle allotments, or vacating allotments or portions of allotments where disease risk is high and conversion to cattle is unsuitable. 

Washington State is home to 17 bighorn sheep herds, 10 of which depend on habitat within the Forest. Domestic livestock have long shared this land, but disease transmission poses a serious threat to bighorn sheep recovery.

Visit the project webpage for details and to view documents: https://cara.fs2c.usda.gov/Public/CommentInput?Project=53257 .  

Your voice matters.
The public comment period is open for the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest draft environmental impact statement (DEIS) on domestic sheep and goat grazing management within bighorn sheep habitat.

Submit your comments by October 24, 2025, at:   

Online via the project’s public participation portal (preferred): https://cara.fs2c.usda.gov/Public/CommentInput?Project=53257;

Or by postal mail: 

      Domestic Sheep and Goat Grazing EIS Comments

      Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest Supervisor’s Office

     215 Melody Lane, Wenatchee, WA 98801
 

A final decision is expected in winter 2025/2026.

The Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) and USDA Agricultural Research Service (ARS) are cooperating with the Forest to design a sustainable management approach for both grazing and wildlife.

About the Forest Service: The USDA Forest Service has for more than 100 years brought people and communities together to answer the call of conservation. Grounded in world-class science and technology– and rooted in communities–the Forest Service connects people to nature and to each other. The Forest Service cares for shared natural resources in ways that promote lasting economic, ecological, and social vitality. The agency manages 193 million acres of public land, provides assistance to state and private landowners, maintains the largest wildland fire and forestry research organizations in the world. The Forest Service also has either a direct or indirect role in stewardship of about 900 million forested acres within the U.S., of which over 130 million acres are urban forests where most Americans live.