Cattle and Water

[Rick Dreher]

Telling us what we already knew.

http://www.sacbee.com/2010/04/25/2703875/bee-exclusive-livestock-waste.html

Attempts to bring federal grazing policy into the 20th century (much less the current one) have historically been doomed to failure–so politically powerful is the cattle industry. I doubt that's going to change soon, but shining the spotlight on bad grazing practices is always welcome.

In the meantime, revel in the reality of that federal grazing fee the next time you camp at a cow-mangled meadow stream.

Cheers,

Rick

[Steve M]

As was somewhat pointed out in the movie "Food Inc"., we have 3 votes/day that could influence this.

Less cows eaten = less cows grazing.

[Justin Carter]

ewwwwww

[Travis Leanna]

I'm not saying there aren't any pristine waters left, but I'll always run my drinking water through a filter regardless of where I am.

[Anonymous]

It ain't only bears that $h!t in the woods.

[W I S N E R !]

Blame beef.

[EndoftheTrail]

"It ain't only bears that $h!t in the woods."

Yup. Hikers too. :)

[W I S N E R !]

You won't catch me squatting in a river.

[Travis Leanna]

Eh, just hold it. For the ENTIRE trip.

[Nate Meinzer]

As an avid beef-eater, you can still do your part by eating Beef that is humanely, and environmentally raised. It's very easy to find in most places now. Also, you can limit your consumption. We were not meant to eat beef 7 times a week.

[Lynn Tramper]

" We were not meant to eat beef 7 times a week."

Careful there Nate. That's flame war material to the paleolithic diet fanatics!

[Jack H.]

"Total grazing fees last year came to $168,942 – just $3.33 per animal – less than a latte.

The Forest Service takes in so little from grazing, the U.S. Government Accountability Office has reported, that it loses millions of dollars administering the national program. "The public pays to have cows contaminate the water," said Buckley, the nonprofit director."

Thanks a lot for the article. Grazing on public lands should be shut down for the most part in my opinion. That Yost character isn't someone that I agree with.

And to think that cattle raised on public land is sometimes sold as "environmentally friendly", grass fed beef. Screw that!

[Lynn Tramper]

"And to think that cattle raised on public land is sometimes sold as "environmentally friendly", grass fed beef. Screw that!"

They all emit obscene amounts of methane, which is, like, 25 times worse for carbon emissions than CO2. nasty water and possible global warming bad guys. Vegetarians unite to save the planet :)

It's certainly not just an American problem :( In NZ, they actually discussed hitting the farmers with a 'belch tax', as well as much stricter measures to reduce effluent in our water ways.

[Anonymous]

"It's certainly not just an American problem"

If you want to size the problem, think India.

[Anonymous]

"You won't catch me squatting in a river."

Think of the toilet paper you could save. ;}

[Brian UL]

http://205.188.238.181/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1953692,00.html

[Tad Englund]

It would be interesting to see what everyones attitude would be if they made a movie about Dogs and the potential mess they make in the backcountry water systems-
Maybe its not an issue or maybe we don't want to hear about it?

[W I S N E R !]

Oh, I never said I don't squat in rivers.

I just said you'll never catch me. :)

[EndoftheTrail]

""You won't catch me squatting in a river."

Think of the toilet paper you could save. ;}
"

Dammit Tom — how many times do I have to say this? You do NOT need a river to save on toilet paper! :)

[Jack H.]

"It would be interesting to see what everyones attitude would be if they made a movie about Dogs and the potential mess they make in the backcountry water systems-
Maybe its not an issue or maybe we don't want to hear about it?"

National Parks generally don't allow dogs in the backcountry. Most wilderness areas require dogs to be leashed at all times and for you to properly dispose of their waste.

Dogs aren't like cows. Tax payers don't subsidize dogs destroying public land.

[Anonymous]

"I just said you'll never catch me."

Ah, The Wisner Corollary to the Stealth Camping Principle.

[Anonymous]

"Dammit Tom — how many times do I have to say this? You do NOT need a river to save on toilet paper! :)"

I know, ben, I know. All you really need is to attend Mike C's Sermon on the Mount. ;}

[EndoftheTrail]

Don C? Link please?

And it's Ben with a capital B! :(

[Anonymous]

"And it's Ben with a capital B! Ya got me there. An innocent typo.

Dam# I'd hate to have you auditing my accounts. ;)

[Anonymous]

"Don C? Link please?"

Aw, c'mon, Ben…..

[Author]

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