WERA55: Rangeland Resource Economics and Policy

(Multistate Research Coordinating Committee and Information Exchange Group)

Status: Inactive/Terminating

Project Menu

SAES-422 Reports

Annual/Termination Reports:

[01/03/2002] [10/08/2002] [01/19/2004] [01/03/2005] [12/14/2005]

Date of Annual Report: 01/03/2002

Report Information

Annual Meeting Dates: 10/01/2001 - 10/02/2001
Period the Report Covers: 10/01/2000 - 10/01/2001

Participants

2001 Business Meeting Attendees

Roy Allen BLM Wyoming
E. Thomas Bartlett Colorado State Univ.
Jim Cash Economic Research Service
Tim Darden University of Nevada, Reno
E. Bruce Godfrey Utah State Univ.
Aaron Harp Policy Analysis Center WPL
Dan McCollum USFS Rocky Mountain Research Station
Kevin Moore University of Missouri
Neil Rimbey University of Idaho
David Scarnecchia Washington State Univ.
John Tanaka Oregon State Univ.
Trent Teegerstrom University of Arizona
L. Allen Torell New Mexico State Univ.
Don Snyder Utah State University, Administrative Advisor
Guests and Guest Speakers
Paul Jakus Utah State University
John Martin BLM Idaho
Nicole McCoy Utah State University
Bill Stringer BLM Utah

Brief Summary of Minutes

Business Meeting

The annual meetings of WCC-55 began with the business meeting held on Monday October 1, 2001 at the Moab Valley Inn in Moab, Utah. Chairman Kevin Moore called the meeting to order at 8:00 am. Tim Darden was asked to take minutes in the absence of secretary Marty Beutler.

Our Official Administrative Advisor Don Snyder stated that the Continuation Proposal was accepted and the WCC-55 ? Rangeland Resource Economics and Policy committee had been renewed for 5 years. The objectives as listed officially on the WAAESD website are as follows:

1. To coordinate the information that is obtained concerning benefits, costs and tradeoffs that are involved with using federal lands in alternative ways.

2. To coordinate interdisciplinary and multi-disciplinary research that addresses issues and alternatives facing livestock producers, land administrators and community leaders concerning the economic, social, cultural and ecological aspects associated with the management of rangelands.

3. To coordinate the evaluation of proposed policies that may affect the use of public and/or private rangelands.

4. To foster and improve communications among those interested in the management and use of rangelands.

Don Snyder also stressed that those not included in the official list found at the WAAESD website http://www.colostate.edu/Orgs/WAAESD/attend.html should try and get their Appendix E submitted to him as soon as possible.

A discussion of future meetings of WCC-55 was held to decide what we spoke about previously and where we might like to meet next year and following years. It was also discussed that the first Monday and Tuesday or Tuesday and Wednesday of October was the preferred time to meet. At our last meeting Richard Conner of Texas A&M University volunteered to host the 2002 meeting and a discussion was held as to what type of speakers or range tour we might like to have. Bruce Godfrey suggested a tour of Texas game ranches and John Tanaka suggested a tour of brush control/water conservation areas that Richard presented a paper on in Hawaii.

Allen Torell brought up the fact that the WCC-55 paper session from the 2000 SRM meetings held in Kona, Hawaii were published at AGECON Search at the University of Minnesota. The web address for AGECON search is: http://agecon.lib.umn.edu/. Also discussed was the possibility of having another paper session at the 2003 or 2004 SRM meetings in Casper and Salt Lake City. It was decided to shoot for the 2003 meetings in Casper Wyoming with a trial run on presentations at the next meeting in Texas. Paper topics are listed in a table at the end of the minutes.

Neil Rimbey, Chair of W-192, gave a report on the status of the W-192 regional project. A renewal has been submitted to CSREES having the same objectives except a reduced role of extension/outreach and the Policy Analysis Center for Western Public Lands (PACWPL) was wrapped into the research project.

Aaron Harp, Director PACWPL, was in attendance and gave a report on the status of the Center. He stated that the governing board was in place and the first center project was completed on PJ Biomass Removal from Public Lands for Energy Use. He also stated that the National Association of Counties, specifically Idaho, Oregon, and Nevada had requested the center look at the implications in rural western communities of sage grouse listing as an threatened or endangered species.

Aaron also stated that the funding for the center is coming to a close and now the center is searching for funding outside of the university system by way of Congressional appropriation and/or federal and private assistance.

We held a brief discussion as to offering to meet jointly with WCC-40 next year in Texas. Richard Conner will be notified as to the intention so that arrangements can be made to have extra meeting rooms to house both meetings as well as the joint meeting.

State reports were handed out and discussed by each state in attendance and there were discussions of what types of pending and future projects committee members had or will be working on in their respective states and regions.

Tom Bartlett discussed the Sustainable Rangelands Roundtable group meetings that he has coordinated over the past year or so. They are now beginning to start writing up the ecological, social, economic, legal, and institutional indicators they have come up with using a modified Delphi Method.

Paul Jakus of Utah State University gave a presentation on Non-Market Valuation for Policy Impacts. This was a very interesting presentation as he discussed different types of non-market valuation studies as well as the NOAA Blue Ribbon Panel and their recommendations for non-market studies.

Nicole McCoy also of Utah State University gave another very informative presentation on Economic Analysis of Invasive Plants on Public Lands. She used a cost minimization/profit maximization model to look at the economic impacts of invasive species on public lands as well as removal costs on infested areas.

Bill Stringer of the Bureau of Land management spoke with us last and gave us the rundown of what we would see on the range tour and a general description of the types of recreational visitors they have come to the area. He discussed Jeepfest and the numbers of people attending various activities throughout the year happening in and around the Moab area. He also discussed some of the problems associated with all of the recreation activities such as defacing of some rock formations, bodily injury, dehydration and many other problems they are faced with when the off road vehicle and mountain bike events are held on BLM property.

Kevin Moore adjourned the meeting at approximately 5:00 pm and everyone was informed to be ready to leave at 7:30 am to travel with the Nature Conservancy to the Dugout Ranch and Dead Horse Point State Park on October 2.

Minutes Attachment:

Attachment

Accomplishments

Allen Torell brought up the fact that the WCC-55 paper session from the 2000 SRM meetings held in Kona, Hawaii were published at AGECON Search at the University of Minnesota. The web address for AGECON search is: http://agecon.lib.umn.edu/. Also discussed was the possibility of having another paper session at the 2003 or 2004 SRM meetings in Casper and Salt Lake City. It was decided to shoot for the 2003 meetings in Casper Wyoming with a trial run on presentations at the next meeting in Texas. Paper topics are listed in a table at the end of the minutes. Neil Rimbey, Chair of W-192, gave a report on the status of the W-192 regional project. A renewal has been submitted to CSREES having the same objectives except a reduced role of extension/outreach and the Policy Analysis Center for Western Public Lands (PACWPL) was wrapped into the research project. Allen Torell brought up the fact that the WCC-55 paper session from the 2000 SRM meetings held in Kona, Hawaii were published at AGECON Search at the University of Minnesota. The web address for AGECON search is: http://agecon.lib.umn.edu/. Also discussed was the possibility of having another paper session at the 2003 or 2004 SRM meetings in Casper and Salt Lake City. It was decided to shoot for the 2003 meetings in Casper Wyoming with a trial run on presentations at the next meeting in Texas. Paper topics are listed in a table at the end of the minutes. Neil Rimbey, Chair of W-192, gave a report on the status of the W-192 regional project. A renewal has been submitted to CSREES having the same objectives except a reduced role of extension/outreach and the Policy Analysis Center for Western Public Lands (PACWPL) was wrapped into the research project. Aaron Harp, Director PACWPL, was in attendance and gave a report on the status of the Center. He stated that the governing board was in place and the first center project was completed on PJ Biomass Removal from Public Lands for Energy Use. He also stated that the National Association of Counties, specifically Idaho, Oregon, and Nevada had requested the center look at the implications in rural western communities of sage grouse listing as an threatened or endangered species. Aaron also stated that the funding for the center is coming to a close and now the center is searching for funding outside of the university system by way of Congressional appropriation and/or federal and private assistance.

Publications

Impact Statements

Date of Annual Report: 10/08/2002

Report Information

Annual Meeting Dates: 10/07/2002 - 10/08/2002
Period the Report Covers: 01/01/2002 - 12/01/2002

Participants

Kevin Moore, University of Missouri;
Dan McCollum, USFS-Research;
Neil Rimbey, University of Nevada;
John Tanaka, Oregon State University;
Allen Torell, New Mexico State University;
Richard Conner, Texas A&M University;
Urs Kreuter, Texas A&M University;
Trent Teegerstrom, University of Arizona;
Jim Cash, USDA-ERS;
Dave Scarnecia, Washington State University.

Brief Summary of Minutes

Minutes Attachment:

Attachment

Accomplishments

The committee continues to meet and present topics relevant to the project's objectives for discussion and eventual publication. The committee members are also involved in the "Sustainable Rangeland Roundtable Project" that is designed to provide accurate information on methods of sustained range use to the general public. Work began on the "Societal Affects on Sustainable Rangeland Management on Public and Private Lands" for the 2004 SRM meetings to be held in Salt Lake City, Utah in 2004. The process that is followed in preparing and presenting papers is that a topic is selected, then committee members prepare (either by themselves or with other committee members) papers that address the topic. These papers are presented and discussed in one year's meetings, then presented in a major range meeting, generally through the Society of Range Management annual meetings. These papers are edited and published as a proceedings. The focus of the group is primarily that of economic effects of various rangeland policies.

Publications

Impact Statements

Materials prepared thus far has been used in public presentations, articles (journal and otherwise), and as material for public policy makers. There is a shift in the way that federal and private land managers view rangeland and its uses and resources.

Date of Annual Report: 01/19/2004

Report Information

Annual Meeting Dates: 10/06/2003 - 10/08/2003
Period the Report Covers: 10/01/2001 - 09/01/2006

Participants

Darden, Tim NMSU-NMDA (Chair)
McCollum, Dan USFS-Research
Teegerstrom, Trent University of Arizona
Osgood, Daniel University of Arizona
Huntsinger, Lynn University California Berkeley
Torell, Allen New Mexico State University
Tanaka, John Oregon State University
Satyal, Vigay Oregon State University
Conner, Richard Texas A&M University
Rimbey, Neil University of Nevada
Snyder, Donald Utah State University
Godfrey, Bruce Utah State University
Taylor, Tex University of Wyoming

Brief Summary of Minutes

WCC-55 Annual Meeting was called to order at 10:00 am by Chair, Tim Darden. Tim reviewed the agenda and plans for the meeting and tour. Introductions were conducted.

Old Business:

Allen Torell moved to approve the minutes of the 2002 meeting in San Angelo, Texas and was second by Neil Rimbey. The minutes were approved as mailed.

Don Snyder made the following three points to the group

1) Reminded the group that the three year review will occur in 2004/05

2) Minutes must be filed BEFORE travel will be approved.

3) USU will publish the upcoming symposium proceedings and suggested that the Western Directors are willing to consider a proposal to publish future symposium proceeding on a state rotational basis.

Allen Torell moved to accept the motion that the Western Directors consider a proposal to publish future symposium proceeding on a state rotational basis, with the recognition that New Mexico State University, Utah State University, and the University of Idaho have already handled the most recent publication cost. Trent Teegerstrom seconded the motion and the motion passed. The rotation schedule will be determined by the organizer of the symposium, currently on a two-year rotation. It was also decided that in efforts to keep the cost of the publication low, the proceedings should be published in PDF format.

John Tanaka reported on the Sustainable Rangeland Roundtable project. The projects report is now completed and available at the CSU website. The next meeting will be on October 20-22 in Boise, Idaho. Neil Rimbey reported on the W-192 research group. Neil reported the group is looking at western changes in rural communities from changes in public policies and has listed the following four items as the groups objectives.

1) Continue to refine economic models

2) Assess the social impacts of public policies

3) Look over and assess existing policies (Alaska Person)

4) Continue to support the Public Policy Center

Under objective 3, the person from Alaska who was handling the existing policies part of the project is no longer available. Don agreed to follow up and determine who would be willing to join the group. Since the Center no longer exist, objective 4 is out.

State research reports were distributed and discussed. Next years meeting will be held in Oregon hosted by John Tanaka. We will be getting an update on the Starkey Project, i.e., http://www.fs.fed.us/pnw/starkey/. The meeting will be held at the Eastern Oregon Agriculture Research Center, 372 So. Tenth Street, P.O. Box E Union, OR 97883, Phone 541-562-5120; Fax 541-562-5348. Tuesday consisted of an all day very interesting tour A Salt Desert Shrub Experience.

Next years Officers:

Tim Darden (Nevada), Chair

Marty Beutler (South Dakota), Vice Chair

Trent Teegerstrom (Arizona), Secretary

Accomplishments

Efforts to coordinate information obtained concerning benefits, costs, and tradeoffs that are involved in using federal lands in alternative ways continued. Papers that were to be given in the upcoming SRM Meetings held in SLC, Utah on January 26 through 31, 2004, were presented and reviewed. A proceedings is planned for the papers presented in SLC in January of 2004. Discussions were held regarding the need for additional funding through the competitive proposal process. Interdisciplinary research efforts have been promoted as illustrated by the joint meeting (WCC-55 and WCC-40) held in October. A new proposal was outlined that will be filed in conjunction with W-192. Efforts to foster communication between those interested in the management and use of rangelands continue.

Publications

Journal Articles Torell, L.A., N.R. Rimbey, L.W. Van Tassell, J.A. Tanaka, and E.T. Bartlett. 2003. An Evaluation of the Federal Grazing Fee Formula. J. Range Manage. 56:577-584 Research Reports Tanaka, J., L.A. Torell, L.V. Swanson, M. Brunson, D. McCollum, and H.T. Heintz. 2003. Indicators for Maintenance and Enhancement of Multiple Economic and Social Benefits to Current and Future Generations. pp. V:1-28. In: J.E. Mitchell (ed.), Criteria and Indicators for Sustainable Rangelands: A First Approximation Report, Sustainable Rangeland Roundtable, U.S. Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Exp. Sta., Available online at http://sustainablerangelands.cnr.colostate.edu/2003Report/2003Report.htm. Abstracts Tanaka, J.A., L.A. Torell, M. Brunson, and E.T. Bartlett. 2003. Sustainable Rangelands: Indicators of Socio-economic Benefits. African J. of Range & Forage Science 20(2):222-226. VII International Rangeland Congress, Session A3, Available online at http://www.ru.ac.za/institutes/rgi/irc2003/ c5/volunteer.htm. Poster Presentations Tanaka, J.A., L.A. Torell, M. Brunson, and E.T. Bartlett. 2003. Sustainable Rangelands: Indicators of Socio-economic Benefits. Poster Presentation, VII International Rangeland Congress, Session C5, Durban, South Africa. Presentations at Professional and Other Meetings Torell, L.A. N. R. Rimbey, O.A. Ramirez, and D.W. McCollum. 2003. New Faces and the Changing Value of Rangeland. WCC55/WCC40 Joint Annual meeting, Reno, NV. Oct. 6. Torell, L.A. N. R. Rimbey, O.A. Ramirez, and D.W. McCollum. 2003. New Faces and the Changing Value of Rangeland. Univ. of Idaho, Cooperative Ext. Service Meeting, Caldwell, ID. Oct. 30. Torell, L.A. and D.M. Briggs. 2003. RANVAL: A Hedonic Ranch Valuation Model. Farm Credit of NM‘s Summer Credit Meeting, Santa Ana Pueblo, NM. May 9. Rimbey, N.R., L.A. Torell, J. Tanaka, T. Darden, L.W. Van Tassell, and A. Harp. 2003. Sage Grouse Recovery: Estimating the Economic Impacts. New Mexico Section Annual SRM meeting, Albuquerque, NM. Jan. 21-23. Tanaka, J.A., L.A. Torell, M. Brunson, and E.T. Bartlett. 2003. Sustainable Rangelands: Indicators of Socio-economic Benefits. VII International Rangeland Congress, Durban, South Africa, Session A3, Available online at http://www.ru.ac.za/institutes/rgi/irc2003/c5/volunteer.htm. July 26-31. Rimbey, N.R. and L.A. Torell. 2003. Ranch Value Projects: NMSU and UI. District II Beef Advisory Group, Caldwell, ID. Nov 21.

Impact Statements

WCC-55 has been active in other committee and scientific organization meetings and programs.
Publishes a proceedings every two years regarding alternative uses of public lands - economic and range considerations.
Been the springboard for several state grants and one federal NRI grant.

Date of Annual Report: 01/03/2005

Report Information

Annual Meeting Dates: 10/05/2004 - 10/06/2004
Period the Report Covers: 01/01/2004 - 12/01/2004

Participants

Members in Attendance:

Richard Conner Texas A&M
John Tanaka Oregon State Univ.
Neil Rimbey Univ. of Idaho
Dan McCollum USFS-Research
Lynn Huntsinger Univ. of California-Berkeley
Vijay Oregon State Univ. Graduate Student
Marty Vavra USFS-Research (Starkey Project)
Trent Teegerstrom Univ. of Arizona
Derek Bailey Montana State Univ.
Allen Torell New Mexico State Univ.
Bob Welling Ridley Block Operations (Tour only)
Don Snyder Administrative Advisor (Utah State Univ.)

Brief Summary of Minutes

WCC-55 Business Meeting Minutes
September 5, 2004

Chair-elect, Trent Teegerstrom called the meeting to order at 1 pm at the Starkey Experimental Range Headquarters. The meeting was held following a morning tour of the elk, deer, cattle study area lead by project leader, Dr. Marty Vavra.

Don Snyder gave us an administrative report. He passed out the Midterm review done by the Experiment Station Directors this summer. All areas were rated excellent, except Attendance/Participation. Don suggested that we look for colleagues from participating and other states to become involved in the committee. Don stressed the need to have minutes submitted and Impact Statements/publication lists within 60 days of the meeting. This is necessary as subsequent meetings of the committee cannot be approved prior to completion of the minutes, etc. The proceedings of the Changing Faces of Public Rangeland Users symposium which were jointly sponsored by WCC-55 and WCC-40 are held up in the process due to the fact that this is the first electronic western regional publication. The material is available; a publication number has been issued by Utah State. We are still waiting for approval to release the publication and post it to the Western Experiment Station Directors website. This should be completed shortly. Dr. Snyders final words to us were that he needs the minutes, Impact Statements and list of publications (for the last 3 years) submitted in a timely manner. We also must start thinking about revising the proposal for WCC55. This will be due to Don by January, 2006.

Discussion next centered upon the off-shoot regional research project W192 (Rural Communities and Public Lands in the West: Impacts and Alternatives). The objective dealing with the Policy Analysis Center for Western Public Lands has been removed from the project. Faculty from Alaska with a background in legal issues, have expressed an interest in becoming involved in the project and will be invited to the next meeting. Tom Harris, Univ. of Nevada, is arranging the next meeting in Reno on December 13, 2004 at John Asquagas Nugget. More information will be forthcoming on that session later. Snyder also mentioned that the Midterm review of W192 was not as favorable as that for WCC55 and there are areas of improvement needed for this project. Key decisions must be made at the Reno session.

Discussion on state research and regional efforts followed. State reports, Impact Statements and publication lists should be submitted to Trent ASAP.

The meeting adjourned at 3:30 pm.

Accomplishments

Arizona Impact Report Trent Teegerstrom Over the past three years, the Planning for profitability curriculum, diagnostic financial spreadsheet and public/private ranch restocking decision tool have been taught at 22 workshops to 471 ranchers and agribusiness professionals (approximately 84% of the industry based on total market sales) throughout Arizona & Utah. Training provided at the workshops have advanced student understanding of financial principles and record keeping. In soliciting feedback from participants anywhere from 1 to 6 months after they attended a computer workshop, around 5 in 10 indicated that they had actually used the software to implement a management decision. Of those that have not yet implemented, about 75 percent indicated that they planned to use the software provided but had not yet had a chance to implement it. This reflects that a lot of individuals have not yet had enough improvement in their range to purchase livestock for restocking their herds. California Impact Report Lynn Huntsinger PROGRESS: 2004/01 TO 2004/12 GSY=2. Work has concentrated on oak woodland conservation incentives and collaborative research with researchers working on Spanish oak woodlands. A group of Spanish researchers visited California field stations and oak woodland research sites as part of an information exchange supported by a Del Amo grant. The significant contribution of extensive grazing properties to environmental quality is increasingly realized by public and policymakers in Europe and the U.S. Analysis of the institutional and social framework for conservation incentives for private landowners in Spain and California found a major axis of differentiation based on the ecological volatility of the woodlands and demographic volatility of landownership. In Spain, woodland structure is highly dynamic and changes rapidly; California oak woodlands are relatively stable. Spanish patterns of land use are comparatively stable, while in California land use change is having a major impact on oak woodland extent and productivity. Prominent conservation strategies in each place reflect these differences, with conservation easements in California targeted at stabilizing land use, and European Union subventions focusing on supporting traditional vegetation management practices. Each incentive format takes advantage of landowner goals and values, and each has social and economic costs. New Mexico Impact Report L. Allen Torell Ranch value research conducted in New Mexico and the Great Basin, including the states of Idaho, Oregon, and Nevada, documents that the market value of western ranches is impacted by many factors other than livestock income. It is the ranching lifestyle that matters most. No more than 25% of ranch value was explained by income earnings. The hedonic model developed for the analysis made several theoretical adjustments relative to what had been done in the past and this greatly improved the ability to explain the selling price of western ranches. Oregon Impact Report John A. Tanaka Rangeland managers and users face both continuing and new issues regarding how resources are allocated. Understanding the economic implications of management and policy changes affects both individual producers and the communities of which they are part. The first step used in understanding public land ranchers was to survey them to find out their attitudes, preferences, and expected responses to policy changes. Ranch level models were developed for different parts of Oregon to analyze the economic impacts of cattle grazing distribution practices and management for sage grouse habitat. Additional economic analyses of western juniper use for biomass energy production and the designation of bull trout critical habitat were conducted. Participation in the development of indicators for rangeland sustainability is ongoing.

Publications

Tronstad, Russell, Trent Teegerstrom, and Daniel Osgood. The Role of Electronic Technologies for Reaching Underserved Audiences. American Journal of Agricultural Economics, Vol. 86(3), August 2004:767-771. Tronstad, R., and Teegerstrom, T. Economic Trade-Offs Between Sale Weight, Herd Size, Supplementation and Seasonal Factors, J. of Range Manage., Vol 56, pg 425-431, Sept. 2003 Rosenberg, H.R., Carkner, R., Hewlett, J., Owen, L., Teegerstrom, T., Tranel, J.E., Weigel, R.R., Ag Help Wanted: Guidelines for Managing Agricultural Labor. Ordering information is online at www.AgHelpWanted.org. ISBN 1-892979-04-7 Western Farm Management Extension Committee 2002. Teegerstrom, T., and Tronstad, R., Managing Herd Composition of Range Cattle: Sale Weight and Seasonal Factors, Selected Paper of the 2001 Western Agricultural Economics Associations Annual Meeting, July 8-11, 2001, Logan, Utah Tronstad, Russell, Trent Teegerstrom, and Xing Gao. Trade-Off Between Cow Numbers, Calf Size, and Sale Date Incorporating Seasonal Factors and Supplemental Feeding., Arizona Ranch Management Guide, 2001 pp. 181-187. Tronstad, Russell, and Trent Teegerstrom. Overview of Ranch Financial Analysis Spreadsheet., Arizona Ranch Management Guide, 2001 pp. 141-146. Teegerstrom, Trent, Russell Tronstad, and Jim Sprinkle. Modified Cash Projections., Arizona Ranch Management Guide, 2001 pp. 153-156. Tronstad, Russell, Jim Sprinkle, and Trent Teegerstrom. Evaluating Management Decisions., Arizona Ranch Management Guide, 2001 pp. 157-174. Teegerstrom, T., and Tronstad, R., Cost and Return Estimates of Cow/Calf Ranches for Five Arizona Regions. Arizona Cooperative Extension Bulletin AZ 1193. December 2000 Tronstad, Russell, Trent Teegerstrom, and Jim Sprinkle, Planning for Profitability, University of Arizona Ranch Management School Workbook that provides materials for ranchers to utilize the Excel spreadsheet templates developed: December, 1999: 1-200. Tronstad, Russell, and Trent Teegerstrom. Overview of Ranch Financial Analysis Spreadsheet, Planning for Profitability Workbook, Ranch Analysis 98 Section, 1999: 1-6. Teegerstrom, Trent, Russell Tronstad, and Jim Sprinkle. Modified Cash Projections, Planning for Profitability Workbook, Ranch Analysis 98 Section, 1999: 10-15. Tronstad, Russell, Jim Sprinkle, and Trent Teegerstrom. Evaluating Management Decisions, Planning for Profitability Workbook, Ranch Analysis 98 Section, 1999: 16-42 Chamie, J., G. Frisvold, and T. Teegerstrom. The Hualapai Mountain Land Exchange: Impacts on Ranching and the Costs of Providing Public Services in Mohave County. Report Submitted to Department of Interior, Bureau of Land Management. Kingman, Arizona. 1998. Arizona Decision Software: 1) Ranch Restocking Decision Spreadsheet 2) Financial Ranch Analysis Program 3) Short Financial Analysis Spreadsheet Huntsinger, L. in press. Maos war on the environment. Book Review, Society and Natural Resources. Huntsinger, L. Sulak, A, Standiford, R. and Campos-Palacin, P. in press. Conservation matching funds from working woodlands in California. In: Silvopastoralism and sustainable Management, CAB International. Standiford, R. Huntsinger, L., Campos-Palacin, P., Chaparros, A. in press. Economic Considerations of Silvopastoralism in California Oak Woodlands. In: Silvopastoralism and Sustainable Management, CAB International. Huntsinger, L. Sulak, A, Gwin, L. and Plieninger, T. 2005 (in press). Oak woodland ranchers in California and Spain: conservation and diversification. In: Schnabel, S. and Goncalves, A. (eds). Sustainability of Agrosilvopastoral Systems: Dehesas, Montados. Advances in Geoecology 37, 18 pgs. Sulak, A., Huntsinger, L., Standiford R, Merenlender, A, Fairfax S. 2005 (in press). The agricultural conservation easement: a strategy for oak woodland conservation. In: Schnabel, S. and Goncalves, A. (eds). Sustainability of Agrosilvopastoral Systems: Dehesas, Montados. Advances in Geoecology 37, 11 pgs. Huntsinger, L. Sulak, A, Gwin, L. and Plieninger, T. in press. Who is working the woodland? oak woodland ranchers and initiatives for conservation in California and Spain. Joffre, R and Mooney, H. (eds) Mediterranean Oak Woodlands: Facing Environmental Changes. Fairfax, S.K., Gwin, L. and Huntsinger, L. 2004. Presidio and Valles Caldera: A Preliminary Assessment of Their Meaning for Public Resource Management. Natural Resources Journal 44(2): 445-473. Sulak, A. Huntsinger, L. Bartlett E.T. and Rowe H.I. 2004. Western ranching: loving it or leaving it. IN: Torell, L.A., Rimbey, N., and Marlow, C. (eds) The changing faces of rangeland users: implications for management and rangeland sustainability. Proceedings of a Symposium sponsored by Western Regional Coordinating committees, WCC-40 (Range Ecology) and WCC-55 (Range Economics). Society for Range Management 57th Annual Meeting. January 24-30, 2004, Salt Lake City, Utah Huntsinger, L. and J.W. Bartolome. 2004. Grasslands.pgs. 606-609. 2004. IN: Shepard Krech III, J.R. McNeill, and Carolyn Merchant (eds). Encyclopedia of World Environmental History, Routledge Press, New York. Huntsinger, L. and J.W. Bartolome. 2004. Ranching. pgs. 1033-1034. IN: Shepard Krech III, J.R. McNeill, and Carolyn Merchant (eds). Encyclopedia of World Environmental History, Routledge Press, New York. Huntsinger, L. and J.W. Bartolome. 2004. Succession. pgs. 1068-1069 Shepard Krech III, J.R. McNeill, and Carolyn Merchant (eds). Encyclopedia of World Environmental History, Routledge Press, New York. Merenlender, A., Huntsinger, L., Guthy, G. and Fairfax, S. 2004. Land Trusts & Conservation Easements: Who is Conserving What for Whom. Conservation Biology 18(1): 65-75. Standiford, R.B., Huntsinger, L., P. Campos, D. Martin, P. Mariscal. 2003. The bioeconomics of Mediterranean oak woodlands: issues in conservation policy. XII World Forestry Congress Proceedings, Quebec City Canada, September 21 to 28, 2003. Session A Forests for People. pages 111 to 120 (Awarded distinguished paper notation). Huntsinger, L. Journal of American Indian Culture and Research. 2003. Book Review. Trusteeship in Change: Toward Tribal Autonomy in Resource Management. Edited by Richmond L. Clow and Imre Sutton; foreword by David H. Getches. Sulak, A., and Huntsinger, L. 2002. Central Sierra Grazing in Transition. South Lake Tahoe, California: Sierra Nevada Alliance, California Cattlemens Association, and California Rangeland Trust. 35 pgs. Huntsinger, L and Barrie, S. 2002. Will Californias landscapes keep working? Rangelands 24(3):6-10. Huntsinger, L. 2002. End of the trail: ranching in transformation on the Pacific Slope.. In: E. Marston and R. Knight (eds.) Ranching West of the 100th Meridian: Culture, Ecology and Economics, pgs. 77-90. Island Press. Huntsinger, L. 2002. Reinventing the range: to graze or not to graze is not the question. In: Rapport, D., Lasley, W., Rolston, O., Nielsen, C., Qualset, C., Damania, A. (eds). Managing for healthy ecosystems pgs. 1041-1048.CRC Press/Lewis Publishers 1552 pp. Ballard, H., Kraetch, R., and Huntsinger, L. 2001. How collaboration can improve a monitoring program. In: Standiford, Richard B.; McCreary, Douglas; Purcell, Kathryn L., technical coordinators. 2002. Proceedings of the fifth symposium on oak woodlands: oaks in Californias changing landscape, pgs.617-624. 2001 October 22-25; San Diego, CA. Gen. Tech. Rep. PSW-GTR-184. Albany, CA: Pacific Southwest Research Station, Forest Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture; 846 p. Campos-Palacin, P., Huntsinger, L., Standiford, R., Martin-Borroso, D., Mariscal-Lorente, P., and Starrs, P.F. 2001. Working Woodlands: Public Demand, Owner Management, and Government Intervention in Conserving Mediterranean Ranches and Dehesas. In: Standiford, Richard B.; McCreary, Douglas; Purcell, Kathryn L., technical coordinators. 2002. Proceedings of the fifth symposium on oak woodlands: oaks in Californias changing landscape, pgs. 511-528. 2001 October 22-25; San Diego, CA. Gen. Tech. Rep. PSW-GTR-184. Albany, CA: Pacific Southwest Research Station, Forest Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture; 846 p. Sulak, A., and Huntsinger, L. 2001. The importance of federal allotments to central Sierran oak woodland permittees: a first approximation. In: Standiford, Richard B.; McCreary, Douglas; Purcell, Kathryn L., technical coordinators. 2002. Proceedings of the fifth symposium on oak woodlands: oaks in Californias changing landscape, pgs. 43-52. 2001 October 22-25; San Diego, CA. Gen. Tech. Rep. PSW-GTR-184. Albany, CA: Pacific Southwest Research Station, Forest Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture; 846 p. Starrs, Paul F, Starrs, Carlin F., Starrs, Genoa I. and Huntsinger, L. 2001. Fieldwork...with family. The Geographical Review 91(1-2):74-87. L. Huntsinger and M. Fernandez-Gimenez. 2001. Spiritual pilgrimage at Mt. Shasta. Geographical Review 90(4):536-558 L. Criley and L. Huntsinger. 2001. Californias redwoods: trees for the taking (away). pgs. 352-359, In: A Monumental Event, Proceedings of the 2001 Convention of the Society of American Foresters, Washington, D.C. Nov. 16-20, 2000. L. Huntsinger. Working woodlands: characteristics, management, and conservation of woodland ranches in California. 2001. In: P. Campos-Palacin and G. (tech. coords.) pgs. 183-198. Proceedings, Seminario Beneficios Comerciales y Ambientales de la Repoblación y la Regeneración del Arbolado del Monte Mediterráneo, .Instituto de Economía y Geografía, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, y Centro de Investigación Forestal Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Tecnología Agraria y Alimentaria, Madrid, Espana, Nov. 19-20, 2001. Bartlett, E. Tom, L. Allen Torell, Neil R. Rimbey, Larry W. VanTassell and Daniel W. McCollum. 2002. Valuing grazing use on public land. J. Range Manage. 55(5):426-438. Bartlett, E.T., L.A. Torell, N.R. Rimbey, L.W. Van Tassell, and D. McCollum. 2002. Methodological Issues in Valuing Forest Service Grazing and Range Use. U.S. Forest Service, General Technical Report. Darden, Tim D., Neil R. Rimbey and J. D. Wulfhorst. 2003. Regional Economic Impact Model of Owyhee County, Idaho and the Four County Area Including Ada, Canyon, Elmore, and Owyhee Counties. Dept. of Ag. Econ. and Rural Soc. Univ. of Idaho. AEES No. 03-06. available at: http://www.ag.uidaho.edu/aers/publications/AEES_2003/aees2003.htm Porath, M.L., P.A. Momont, T. DelCurto, N.R. Rimbey, J.A. Tanaka and M. McInnis. 2002. Off-stream Water and Trace Mineral Salt as Management Strategies for Improved Cattle Distribution. J. An. Sci. 80(2) 346-356. Rimbey, Neil R., Tim D. Darden, L. Allen Torell, John A. Tanaka, Larry W. Van Tassell, and J.D. Wulfhorst. 2003. "Ranch Level Economic Impacts of Public Land Grazing - Policy Alternatives in the Bruneau Resource Area of Owyhee County, Idaho." Dept. of Ag. Econ. and Rural Soc. Univ. of Idaho. AEES No. 03-05. available at: http://www.ag.uidaho.edu/aers/publications/AEES_2003/aees2003.htm Stillings, A.M, J.A. Tanaka, N.R. Rimbey, T. DelCurto, P.A. Momont, M.L Porath. 2003. Economic implications of off-stream water developments to improve riparian grazing. J. Range Manage. 56:418-424. abstract available at: http://uvalde.tamu.edu/jrm/Sep03/stillings.htm Torell, L.A., N.R. Rimbey, L.W. VanTassell, J.A. Tanaka and E.T. Bartlett. 2003. An evaluation of the federal grazing fee formula. J. Range Manage. 56(6): 577-584. abstract available at: http://uvalde.tamu.edu/jrm/ Torell, L.A., N.R. Rimbey and L. Harris, eds. 2004. Current Issues in Rangeland Resource Economics. Proceedings of a symposium sponsored by Western Coordinating Committees 55 and 40. W. Regional Publication. USU Ag. Exp. Sta, Research Rep. 190. June, 2004. Logan, UT. Available on-line at: http://www.agx.usu.edu/ Tanaka, J.A., N.R. Rimbey and L.A. Torell. 2004. New Faces: What does it mean for sustainable rangeland management. in: Torell, L.A., N.R. Rimbey and L. Harris, eds. 2004. Current Issues in Rangeland Resource Economics. Proceedings of a symposium sponsored by Western Coordinating Committees 55 and 40. W. Regional Publication. USU Ag. Exp. Sta, Research Rep. 190. June, 2004. Logan, UT. Torell, L.A., N.R. Rimbey, O.A. Ramirez and D.W. McCollum. 2004. New faces and the changing value of rangeland. in: Torell, L.A., N.R. Rimbey and L. Harris, eds. 2004. Current Issues in Rangeland Resource Economics. Proceedings of a symposium sponsored by Western Coordinating Committees 55 and 40. W. Regional Publication. USU Ag. Exp. Sta, Research Rep. 190. June, 2004. Logan, UT. Torell, L.A., N.R. Rimbey, and O.A. Ramirez. 2003. New Mexico Ranch Values: RANVAL. New Mexico State University, Dept. of Agr. Economics, Available online at http://ranval.nmsu.edu. Torell, L.A., J.A. Tanaka, N. Rimbey, T. Darden, L. VanTassell, A. Harp. 2002. Ranch-Level Impacts of Changing Grazing Policies on BLM Land to Protect the Greater Sage- Grouse: Evidence from Idaho, Nevada, and Oregon. Univ. of Idaho Policy Analysis Center for Western Public Lands (PACWPL), PACWPL Policy Paper SG-01-02. Available online at http://www.ag.uidaho.edu/aers/r_natres.htm. Wulfhorst, J.D., Neil R. Rimbey and Tim D. Darden. 2003. Social and Community Impacts of Public Land Grazing Policy Alternatives in the Bruneau Resource Area of Owyhee County, Idaho. Dept. of Ag. Econ. and Rural Soc. Univ. of Idaho. AEES No. 03-07. available at: http://www.ag.uidaho.edu/aers/publications/AEES_2003/aees2003.htm New Mexico Publications and Activities L. Allen Torell Torell, L.A., N.R. Rimbey, L.W. Van Tassell, J.A. Tanaka, and E.T. Bartlett. 2003. An Evaluation of the Federal Grazing Fee Formula. J. Range Manage. 56:577-584. Bartlett, E.T., L.A. Torell, N.R. Rimbey, L.W. Van Tassell, and D.W. McCollum. 2002. Valuing Grazing Use on Public Lands. J. Range Manage. 55:426-438. Torell, L.A. N. R. Rimbey, O.A. Ramirez, and D.W. McCollum. 2004. New Faces and the Changing Value of Rangeland. pp. 57-86. In: L.A. Torell, N.R. Rimbey, and L. Harris, Current Issues in Rangeland Resource Economics, Utah State Univ. Research Report 190. Available online at http://www.agx.usu.edu. Rimbey, N.R., T.D. Darden, L.A. Torell, J.A. Tanaka, L.W. Van Tassell, and J.D. Wulfhorst. 2003. Ranch Level Economic Impacts of Public Land Grazing Policy Alternatives in the Bruneau Resource Area of Owyhee County, Idaho. Univ. of Idaho, Agr. Econ. Extension Series, AEES No. 03-05. Tanaka, J., L.A. Torell, L.V. Swanson, M. Brunson, D. McCollum, and H.T. Heintz. 2003. Indicators for Maintenance and Enhancement of Multiple Economic and Social Benefits to Current and Future Generations. pp. V:1-28. In: J.E. Mitchell (ed.), Criteria and Indicators for Sustainable Rangelands: A First Approximation Report, Sustainable Rangeland Roundtable, U.S. Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Exp. Sta., Available online at http://sustainablerangelands.cnr.colostate.edu/2003Report/2003Report.htm. Torell, L.A., N.R. Rimbey, and O.A. Ramirez. 2003. New Mexico Ranch Values: RANVAL. New Mexico State University, Dept. of Agr. Economics, Available online at http://ranval.nmsu.edu. Bartlett, E.T., L.A. Torell, N.R. Rimbey, L.W. Van Tassell, and D. McCollum. 2002. Methodological Issues in Valuing Forest Service Grazing and Range Use. U.S. Forest Service, General Technical Report. Torell, L.A., J.A. Tanaka, N. Rimbey, T. Darden, L. VanTassell, A. Harp. 2002. Ranch-Level Impacts of Changing Grazing Policies on BLM Land to Protect the Greater Sage- Grouse: Evidence from Idaho, Nevada, and Oregon. Univ. of Idaho Policy Analysis Center for Western Public Lands (PACWPL), PACWPL Policy Paper SG-01-02. Available online at http://www.ag.uidaho.edu/aers/r_natres.htm. Wambolt, C.L., A.J. Harp, B.L. Welch, N. Shaw, J.W. Connelly, K.P. Reese, C.E. Braun, D.A. Klebenow, E.D. McArthur, J.G. Thompson, L.A. Torell, and J.A. Tanaka. 2002. Conservation of Greater Sage-Grouse on Public Lands in the Western U.S.: Implications of Recovery and Management Policies. Univ. of Idaho Policy Analysis Center for Western Public Lands (PACWPL), PACWPL Policy Paper SG-02-02. Available online at http://www.ag.uidaho.edu/aers/r_natres.htm. Torell, L.A., N.R. Rimbey, E.T. Bartlett, L.W. Van Tassell, and J.A. Tanaka. 2001. An Evaluation of the PRIA Grazing Fee Formula. pp. 101-110. In: L.A. Torell, E.T. Bartlett and R. Larranaga (eds.), Current Issues in Rangeland Resource Economics: A Series of Papers Written by Members and Associates of Western Coordinating Committee 55 (WCC-55), New Mexico State University Agr. Exp. Sta. Research Rep. 737. Available online at http://agecon.lib.umn.edu. Torell, L.A., N.R. Rimbey, J.A. Tanaka, and S.A. Bailey. 2001. The Lack of a Profit Motive for Ranching: Implications for Policy Analysis. pp. 45-58. In: L.A. Torell, E.T. Bartlett and R. Larranaga (eds.), Current Issues in Rangeland Resource Economics: A Series of Papers Written by Members and Associates of Western Coordinating Committee 55 (WCC-55), New Mexico State University Agr. Exp. Sta. Research Rep. 737. Available online at http://agecon.lib.umn.edu. Van Tassell, L.W., L.A. Torell, and N.R. Rimbey. 2001. Grazing on Public Lands in the 21st Century. pp. 23-34. In: L.A. Torell, E.T. Bartlett and R. Larranaga (eds.), Current Issues in Rangeland Resource Economics: A Series of Papers Written by Members and Associates of Western Coordinating Committee 55 (WCC-55), New Mexico State University Agr. Exp. Sta. Research Rep. 737. Available online at http://agecon.lib.umn.edu. Tanaka, J.A. and L.A. Torell. 2002. Status of Economic Criteria and Indicators for the Sustainable Rangeland Roundtable. pp. 51-53. In: E.T. Bartlett and J.E. Mitchell (eds.), Sustainable Rangeland Management: Status of a Roundtable to Determine Criteria and Indicators: A Work in Progress, 2002 Annual Society for Range Management meetings, Kansas City, MO. Torell, L.A., N.R. Rimbey, and O.A. Ramirez. 2003. New Mexico Ranch Values: RANVAL. New Mexico State University, Dept. of Agr. Economics, Available online at http://ranval.nmsu.edu. L. Allen Torell, Neil R. Rimbey, Larry W. Van Tassell, John A. Tanaka and E. Tom Bartlett. An Evaluation of the Federal Grazing Fee Formula. J. Range Manage. 56(2003):577-584. Tanaka, J.A., L.A. Torell, M. Brunson, and E.T. Bartlett. Sustainable Rangelands: Indicators of Socio-economic Benefits. VII International Rangeland Congress, Session A3, Available online at http://www.ru.ac.za/institutes/rgi/irc2003/ c5/volunteer.htm. African J. of Range & Forage Science 20(2003):222-226. Stillings, Amy M., John A. Tanaka, Neil R. Rimbey, Timothy DelCurto, Patrick A. Momont, and Marni L. Porath. Economic Implications of Off-Stream Water Developments to Improve Riparian Grazing. J. Range Manage. 56(2003):418-424. Gentner, Bradley J., and John A. Tanaka. Classifying Public Land Grazing Permittees. J. Range Manage. 55(2002):2-11. Porath, M.L., P.A. Momont, T. DelCurto, N.R. Rimbey, J.A. Tanaka, and M. McInnis. Offstream water and trace mineral salt as management strategies for improved cattle distribution. J. Anim. Sci. 80(2002):346-356. Rimbey, N.R., T.D. Darden, L.A. Torell, J.A. Tanaka, L.W. Van Tassell, and J.D. Wulfhorst. Ranch Level Economic Impacts of Public Land Grazing Policy Alternatives in the Bruneau Resource Area of Owyhee County, Idaho. Univ. of Idaho Agri. Econ. Ext. Ser. No. 03-05. June 2003. Torell, L.A., J.A. Tanaka, N. Rimbey, T. Darden, L. Van Tassell, and A. Harp. 2002. Ranch-level impacts of changing grazing policies on BLM land to protect the greater sage-grouse: evidence from Idaho, Nevada, and Oregon. Policy Analysis Center for Western Public Lands. PACWPL Policy Paper SG-01-02. Wambolt, C.L., A.J. Harp, B.L. Welch, N. Shaw, J.W. Connelly, K.P. Reese, C.E. Braun, D.A. Klebenow, E.D. McArthur, J.G. Thompson, L.A. Torell, and J.A. Tanaka. 2002. Conservation of greater sage-grouse on public lands in the western U.S.: Implications of recovery and management policies. Policy Analysis Center for Western Public Lands. PACWPL Policy Paper SG-02-02. Tanaka, J.A., and L.A. Torell. Status of Economic Criteria and Indicators for the Sustainable Rangelands Roundtable. In: E.T. Bartlett, and J.E. Mitchell (eds.), Sustainable Rangeland Management: Status of a Roundtable to Determine Criteria and Indicators, Proceedings of a Symposium at the Annual Meeting of the Society for Range Management, Kansas City, Missouri. February 2002. Pieper, R.D., J.A. Tanaka, A.J. Harp, N. Rimbey, and E.T. Bartlett. Juniper and Pinon-Juniper Woodlands in the West: Can the System Support Biomass Removal for Energy Production? Policy Analysis Center for Western Public Lands. PACWPL Policy Paper. Univ. of Idaho, Caldwell. 2002. Tanaka, J., L.A. Torell, L.V. Swanson, M. Brunson, D. McCollum, and H.T. Heintz. Indicators for Maintenance and Enhancement of Multiple Economic and Social Benefits to Current and Future Generations. pp. V:1-28. In: J.E. Mitchell (ed.), Criteria and Indicators for Sustainable Rangelands: A First Approximation Report, Sustainable Rangeland Roundtable, U.S. Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Exp. Sta., Available online at http://sustainablerangelands.cnr.colostate.edu/2003Report/2003Report.htm. 2003. Tanaka, John A. Regional Economic Impact Assessment Model for Invasive Plants in the Blue Mountains Demonstration Area. Submitted to the USDA Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Research Station, 2002.

Impact Statements

Arizona: 89% of the participants interviewed stated that the way they keep records would change as a result of the workshop.
Arizona: 83% reported that the workshop would influence their management practices
Arizona: 63% reported an increase in their understanding ranch financial management
California: This project provides information to organizations, individuals, and policy-makers that will improve oak woodland conservation and stewardship through collaborative initiatives
Idaho: The Owyhee County and Birds of Prey Area social and economic assessment is being used by the Bureau of Land Management and others to formulate public land policy in southwestern Idaho. Owyhee County Commissioners, the Shoshone-Paiute Tribe and the Owyhee Initiative Working Group have used the assessment in formulating the Owyhee Initiative.
New Mexico: The RANVAL model is being used by New Mexico ranch buyers, ranch sellers, bankers, lenders and those interested in the ranch real estate market as additional appraisal information in ranch purchase, ranch sale, and lending decisions.
Oregon: This project has helped coordinate research and information flows among states regarding the economic implications of rangeland uses. Economic impacts on rural communities have provided information to those communities as they plan for changes.

Date of Annual Report: 12/14/2005

Report Information

Annual Meeting Dates: 10/05/2005 - 10/08/2005
Period the Report Covers: 01/01/2005 - 12/01/2005

Participants

Those attending included:

J.D. Wulfhorst (Univ. of Idaho; W192), Lynn Huntsinger (Univ. of Calif. Berkeley; WERA55), Neil Rimbey (Univ. of Idaho; W192/WERA55), Allen Torell (New Mexico State Univ.; W192/WERA55), Trent Teegerstrom (Univ. of Ariz; WERA55), Don Snyder (Utah St. Univ., Admin. Advisor, W192/WERA55), Tex Taylor (Univ. of Wyoming; W192), Fen Hunt (CSREES liaison for WERA55), Tom Harris (Univ. of Nevada; W192), Dennis Child (Colo. State Univ., Sust. Rang. Round.), Norm Harris (Univ. of Alaska), Bill Fox (Texas A&M Univ.; Sust. Rang. Round.), John Tanaka (Oregon St. Univ.; W192/WERA55/Sust. Range. Round.), Thomas Foulk (Univ. of Wyoming, W192), Julie Lurman (Univ. of Alaska; W192).

Brief Summary of Minutes

Annual Meetings of the
W192 & WERA55 Regional Projects
Thursday, October 6, 2005
Meeting began at 9:00 a.m.

Julie Lurman opened the meeting on behalf of the University of Alaska -- Fairbanks with a brief welcome to Alaska.

Administrative Advisor Report
Don Snyder reported both projects come up for renewal this coming summer (2006), so we need to have renewal projects being written by January with the possibility of merging the projects and making sure we have identified the interests of the participants to the project.

Fen Hunt (Economic & Community Systems at CSREES) also explained more about the status of the formula funds and the attempt of CSREES to retain those. She explained to the group the various program relationships between her office and our regional projects. Areas of future direction she sees coming include: economic prediction of control of invasive species, and community fire readiness both rangeland sustainability issues.

State Reports

Idaho State report Rimbey reported on the variety of projects ongoing or related to Idaho: 1) Continued work on ranch values work in New Mexico and Idaho, and is now moving to work with Trent Teegerstrom in AZ -- Ranch values have little to do w/ the cows. 2) Incorporating the GAMS models into the Fire Surrogate project, and others. He also noted this is his last year as Assoc. Editor of Rangeland and Ecology Management (REM) and suggested it would be good for someone else to step up to perhaps fill this position. Rimbey and other personnel at the Caldwell R&E Center will be relocated sometime before July 1, 2006.

California State report Huntsinger reported that two of the three range faculty have stepped down from administrative positions at Berkeley and returned to research and teaching--good news for the program. There is now an endowed chair for the range program the Russell Rustici Endowed Chair in Rangeland Management, which went to Barbara Allen-Diaz. Lynn would like to do comparative work with Spain/Calif. re: rangelands and ranches in the area of environmental services. She discussed several of her ongoing projects and the growing research group focused on land conservation.

New Mexico State report Torell added several points about the ranch values study and differences between some of the results in New Mexico and Idaho. He reported on several other ongoing projects and activities. As a member of a committee providing input and direction to the Rangeland Ecology and Management journal, he solicited those interested in replacing Neil Rimbey as Associate Editor for REM.

Arizona State report Teegerstrom reported on collaborative projects with others in the group. One of these projects is how different ranches have dealt with drought in Arizona and these will probably be published in Choices. Another project looks at Risk Analysis and management and this will be posted to rightrisk.org.

Nevada State report Tom Harris reported on several ongoing projects one focuses on the impact of the cattle sector in White Pine and Eureka. Another study is assessing the water values in one of the districts where Las Vegas is buying the water rights and exporting them. He also reported on a project related to the wild horses in the Great Basin and wild horse/burro interpretive center. He also noted the Joint Fire Science program will be doing more coordinating among the different subcomponents.

Colorado State report Child reported last week the college was named to the Warner College of Natural Resources as a result of Ed Warners recent $30M gift. CSU also is facing quite a few retirements within the range science department in the next few years. There are two positions coming open, but the range faculty numbers are down somewhat.

Alaska State report Lurman reported on projects related to NEPA and Alaska National Lands Conservation Act and how this affects wolf control on federal lands. Other areas being pursued pertain to wildlife law, and the Intensive Management statute in Alaska re: predator control. Harris (N.) added some about the grazing management issues, and climate change related to forests and spruce bark beetle.

Texas State report Fox reported that several hires there in the Range Dept. and interests of those faculty to partner with collaborators from other states for ongoing rangelands projects.

Oregon State report Tanaka reported on ongoing projects: Beef Cattle management; Cheatgrass control; Grazing effects on Birds/Mammals on the Zumwalt Prairie with TNC; and the Sustainable Rangelands Roundtable. He also reported on and OSU initiative called Sustainable Rural Communities, headed by Bruce Weber. He has also been active in a project looking at fire suppression activities and how this can affect agriculture/natural resource production activities.

Wyoming State report Foulk reported on several projects ongoing in Wyoming, one using the GAMS model W-192 developed in the Park County economy. One aspect of this is looking at private land and wildlife, i.e., the importance of winter habitat on private land and the value/s of this. A report on the Bighorn National Forest Plan Revision is completed. A series of annual fact sheets re: PILT has been completed. With the ORV study, they are trying to find how people are using their off-road vehicles in the state. The latest Trends in Agriculture report is also now available.

Regional Fire Science Project

Update on the Joint Fire Science Program from Harris (T.), Tanaka, and Rimbey. ID, OR, NV, UT. Brunson/Shindler are doing the sociological aspects of the project. Rimbey/Tanaka are conducting the economics components. A team at Nevada is conducting the non-market measures parts of the project. One of the things happening is to try to plan how to make the variety of data collected from all the different sites compatible.

Sustainable Rangelands Roundtable

Tanaka, Child, and Fox reported generally on this. 63 indicators were developed originally w/ emphases on social and economic aspects. These were boiled down to 27 core indicators. Some concern about the implementation of these indicators, but we run into the issue of defining rangelands, etc. The visibility of SRR has increased over the past year with invitations to some key meetings to help provide more visibility to the importance of it.

Some discussion has taken place about the possibility of moving SRR forward through some university-based initiative. At the 4/05 Oklahoma meeting, the NGO reps also indicated support for this.

Rimbey noted that putting some of the indicators into a policy arena (i.e., Farm Bill language) is putting the cart before the horse when we havent had time to analyze the indicators via research. Child noted the agencies have increased their financial support of SRR. Fox indicated SRR is still at a stage of evaluating the indicators and many question marks remain within the group. The agencies seem to want to get a common vision/understanding of the ecological aspects. They do not see the social/economic indicators as their mandate to fund.

Heinz is interested to develop a natural resources indicators database, akin to the National Labor Statistics, etc.

The minutes were approved for WCC 55 and the group was reminded that publications and state reports should be submitted by email to buckaroo@nature.Berkeley.edu or to Trent.

Some noted recreation is becoming more and more of an issue and questioned whether ought to be researching the total cost of recreation vs. the returns (just the money coming in). Snyder noted W-1133 focuses on non-market methods to address recreation issues.

Discussion continued as to how to fit recreation growth into range analysis. Meyer at Idaho had done some non-market valuation of recreation stuff. Search and rescue things, solid waste.

Allen: WCC-55 we have the ability to coordinate our continuing symposiums at least every other year at SRM as we have done in the past; unless we can come up with a strong common research topic, WCC format is more appropriate.

Neil: I would agree if we agree to expand beyond economics only. Modify to include regional economics, whatever else that is important issues to rangelands in the West.

Allen: The need in rangeland, where we previously dealt mostly with livestock grazing, points to all the values that have nothing to do with the cattle that are grazing it. Range improvements look bad but implemented for rangeland health, may not make any sense economically but will help rangeland health. An interesting question is whether the other 50% was a worthwhile public investment -- what is the benefit? watershed, soil stability, species diversity, birds?

Bill Fox: Water yield is the big issue, but health of the rangeland will also pay dividends. Brush species, cant justify on basis of cow grass, but do it. This is where the research begins to connect to the importance of the sustainability indicators.

John: we are talking about several different things. Wcc55 re-write will go ahead, group has been fairly successful. Is there interest in pursuing the indicator questions that have emerged. Multidisciplinary approaches needed to address these indicator questions.

John: thinks WCC55 should continue on as coordinating committee.

Tom: I agree with John. WCC, not range level but regional level.

Bill: I heard a very focused desire to approach invasive species, from our indicators model, we ended up with a total of 64 indicators of which 35-40 are on invasive species.

JD: I raised this topic because of what we talked about at lunch of common interest in takings issues. We might have a counter position, law interpretations, and what people think the law ought to be. This might feed into the indicators. Tom: indicators feed back into what is sustainable range, what would be the range and regional economy.

Dennis: I have a concern because I see wheels in motion and need to get the research underway. We will lose something, so we dont want to delay too long, and we need quickly to get underway.

Seventeen western states, and identifications of issues. Is the statement broad enough to incorporate JD and Julie?

Some indicated we should keep the topic broader and more inclusive and not narrow it down. We dont have to keep restricting it. Create a broad title and do the writing to match the broad title. Public lands connotations: will they be part of it or the focus.

Neil: no problem with objectives but have problem with issues statement at decisions. Public and private, federal and non-federal, NGO role. New forms of ownership are emerging, We have an NGO buying lands, trying to understand waterflow and retention, public agency private lands how do we even begin to value that. Public and private lands are interconnected. And climate change&..in terms of valuation should we be looking into carbon sequestration. What can rangelands contribute to carbon sequestration?

The proposed objectives for WCC 55:

1. To coordinate information and methodologies for analyzing the benefits, values, costs and tradeoffs for using rangeland in alternative ways.

2. To coordinate interdisciplinary and multi-disciplinary research that addresses issues and alternatives facing rangeland owners and users, land administrators, and community leaders concerning the economic, social, and ecological aspects associated with the management of rangelands.

3. To coordinate the evaluation of proposed policies that may affect the use of public and/or private rangelands.

4. To foster and improve communications among those interested in the management and use of rangelands.

John is re-working the issue statement and suggestions were made for what he should include in it. New forms of ownership and shared ownership are emerging, from trophy and amenity ranches, to conservation easements on working landscapes, to land trust holdings for conservation goals. These all affect and result from how rangelands are valued, used, and managed.

Expected outcomes:
" symposia,
" joint grant proposals
" impacts: generate millions of dollars of research support? coordinating across state lines
" through the work agencies will have a better understanding of things and will be able to make better policy
" sharing information is better use of agency resources, more efficient use of resources, improved decisionmaking; better understanding of policy outcomes.
" updated economic information at Arizona.
" everyone needs to fill out a new appendices, also people should get folks from their institutions to fill them out even if they cant come
" Maria would be a good participant, Nathan Sayre, Rick Standiford.

Next Meeting
Dennis Child will take the lead to organize a combined WERA55/W192 meeting near Steamboat Springs around late Sept or early October 2006.
The meeting adjourned at 2:15pm.

Accomplishments

Work on ranch values has been submitted to JARE; currently in for 2nd review. Results related to ranch values were presented at the Society for Range Management meetings in Fort Worth in February. Results were also shared in a symposium sponsored by the University of Arizona Department of Ag and Resource Economics and Arizona Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers in Scottsdale. A large, 5 year, regional project recently funded by Fire Science Program (USDA and USDI)involves both Tanaka and Rimbey (ranch-level analyses)using an enhanced GAMS model that was developed through WCC55. A to Z Retained Ownership program has completed 13th year. Over the past 13 years, 344 ranches have consigned over 5,800 cattle to the program. The program has been effective in that steers showed a profit of $33/head, heifers of $65/head. A study of the economic impact of federal livestock grazing in Park County, Wyoming was concluded. Importance of federal livestock grazing in Wyoming was shown. An analysis was also conducted related to the economic importance of private land as a source of wildlife habitat in the county (IMPLAN supplemented with GIS modeling). Cost of community services was estimated for situations in which ranchland is converted to rural residential development. The Bighorn National Forest Plan was revised. Analyses related to the economic impact of grazing, oil and natural gas development, and recreation were done for two Resource Management Areas (Casper and Kemmerer, Wyoming). PILT factsheets were done for each county in Wyoming. Management of beef cattle in relation to improving riparian areas and ranch economics were studied in cooperation with the University of Idaho, Oregon State University, and the USDA Pacific Northwest Research Station, USFS. Used IMPLAN to evaluate the social and economic impacts of public land policy in Oregon. In addition, work is underway in which the economic and social impacts of various strategies to control cheatgrass and restore native vegetation in the sagebrush biome within the Great Basin. The Rangelands West website (http://rangelandswest.org) was organized to provide credible information on all aspects of rangelands and their management. Additional work in the area of ranch values (similar to that done in Idaho and New Mexico) has been undertaken in Arizona. Provided "RightRisk" training for western livestock producers. A social accounting model is being developed for northeastern Nevada to incorporate public lands so that changes in public land use can be quantified. A dynamic computable general equilibrium model is also being developed that will allow an analysis of public land issues through time. In Alaska, state predator control efforts on federal lands have been implemented without following mandatory procedures under both the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act and the National Environmental Policy Act. A paper entitled, "Subsistence at Risk: Failure to Act and NEPA Complians in Post-ANILCA Alaska, has been accepted by Environmental Law.

Publications

Rimbey, N.R., C.W. Gray, R.L. Smathers and G.E. Shewmaker. 2005. Leasing arrangements and other considerations. Chapter 18. in: Shewmaker, G.E., ed. Idaho Forage Handbook Third Edition. Idaho Ag. Exp. Sta. Bulletin 547. Moscow, ID. Smathers, R.L., P.E. Patterson, N.R. Rimbey and C.W. Gray. 2005. Production costs and budgeting. Chapter 19. in: Shewmaker, G.E., ed. Idaho Forage Handbook Third Edition. Idaho Ag. Exp. Sta. Bulletin 547. Moscow, ID. Tanaka, J.A., N. Rimbey and L.A. Torell. 2005. Rangeland Economics, Ecology, and Sustainability: Implications for Policy and Economic Research. W. Econ. Forum. 4(1):1-6. Wulfhorst, J.D., N. Rimbey, and T. Darden. 2005. Sharing the Rangelands Competing for Sense of Place. American Behavioral Scientist 48(16)xxxx-xxxx. Taylor, D., R. Coupal, T. Foulke, 2005, The Economic Impact of Federal Grazing on the Economy of Park County Wyoming, Project Report, Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics, College of Agriculture, University of Wyoming, August 2005. Foulke, T., R. Coupal, D. Taylor, 2005, 2004 Payments in Lieu of Taxes (PILT) to Wyoming Counties (23 fact sheets), University of Wyoming, Cooperative Extension Service, B-1163AL B-1163WE, March 2005. Taylor, D., T. Foulke, R. Coupal, 2005, Whats it Worth to You: Prebles II, Reflections, College of Agriculture, University of Wyoming. Fouke, T., R. Coupal, D. Taylor, 2005, Trends in Wyoming Agriculture, University of Wyoming, Cooperative Extension Service, B-1164, August 2005. Aldrich, G.A., J.A. Tanaka, R.M. Adams, and J.C. Buckhouse. Economics of Western Juniper Control in Central Oregon. Rangeland Ecology and Management 58(2005):542-552. Tanaka, J.A., L.A. Torell, and N.R. Rimbey. Rangeland Economics, Ecology, and Sustainability: Implications for Policy and Economic Research. Western Economics Forum 4(2005):1-6. McCollum, D., L. Swanson, and J. Tanaka. Integrate social and economic indicators with ecological indicators for rangeland inventory, assessment, and monitoring: Why would you ever do that? Paper presented at the 58th Annual Meeting, Society for Range Management, Fort Worth, Texas. 2005. Tanaka, J. Ranch-level economic impacts of off-stream water developments, animal attributes, and fencing. Paper presented at the 58th Annual Meeting, Society for Range Management, Fort Worth, Texas. 2005. Tanaka, J., A. Torell, and N. Rimbey. Rangeland policy and economics research: integrating science and people. Paper presented at the 58th Annual Meeting, Society for Range Management, Fort Worth, Texas. 2005. Tronstad, Russell, Trent Teegerstrom, and Daniel Osgood. The Role of Electronic Technologies for Reaching Underserved Audiences. American Journal of Agricultural Economics, Vol. 86(3), August 2004:767-771. Tronstad, R., and Teegerstrom, T. Economic Trade-Offs Between Sale Weight, Herd Size, Supplementation and Seasonal Factors, The Journal of Range Management, Vol 56, pg 425-431, Sept. 2003 Harris, Thomas R. and Joan Wright. Estimated Economic Impacts of Cattle Ranching and Farming Sector on the White Pine County Economy, October 2004, UCED 2004/05-15. Fadali, Elizabeth, William W. Riggs, and Thomas R. Harris. Updated Economic Linkages in the Economy of Eureka County, UCED 2005/06-05, June 2005. Tanaka, J.A, N.R. Rimbey, and L.A. Torell. 2005. Rangeland Economics, Ecology, and Sustainability: Implications for Policy and Economic Research. The Western Economics Forum. 4(1):1-6. Torell, L.A., O.A. Ramirez, Neil R. Rimbey, and Daniel W. McCollum. 2005. Income Earning Potential versus Consumptive Amenities in Determining Ranchland Values. J. Agr. Resource Econ. Accepted for Publication. Torell, L.A. 2005. Factors Affecting the Market Value of New Mexico Ranches. pp. G1-G14. In: C.D. Goodloe (Director), Proceedings, Continuing Legal Education, Conservations Easements Conference, Albuquerque, NM. CLE International, Denver, CO. Torell, L.A. and N.R. Rimbey. 2005. Factors Affecting the Market Value of New Mexico Ranches. pp. 55-69. In: M. Peterson (ed.), Proceedings, Corona Range and Livestock Research Center Field Day. New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, NM.

Impact Statements

Ranch economic models were developed and used for a variety of purposes including (a)impact of grazing distribution practices, (b) determining the profit maximizing treatment of western juniper using stochastic cattle prices and rainfall patterns, and (c) three National Forest plans in northeastern Oregon have been revised in order to meet ecological, economic, and social needs of the region.
Results of White Pine and Eureka county studies will be used by the BLM and county governments in their resource planning process, particularly in relation to water allocation issues.
Work related to recent Alaska state predator control efforts on federal lands should be of interest to federal land manaagers in Alaska who could avoid legal problems related to predator control.
The multi-period GAMS LP model developed under W-192 continues to be used for policy analysis by several western states. Ranchers throughout the West are using this management and economic information to improve decisions about how they might improve livestock distribution on private and public lands.