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Santos Grazing Allotment Agreement
Type of Livestock: Domestic Sheep
Type of Conflict: Bighorn Sheep disease risk
Size of Allotment: 8,800 acres
Location of Allotment: New Mexico
The Santos domestic sheep grazing allotment is located just west of the famous Rio Grande Gorge and the town of Taos in Northern New Mexico. This grazing retirement removes the risk of contact between domestic sheep and the very successful bighorn herd that rely on the abundance forage and steep walls of the Gorge and is a significant step in eliminating the risk of disease transmission between domestic sheep and these bighorns. The allotment was officially retired in May of 2020.
Endlich Mesa Grazing Agreement
Type of Livestock: Domestic Sheep
Type of Conflict: Bighorn Sheep disease risk
Size of Allotment: 11,150 acres
Location of Allotment: Colorado
The Endlich Mesa domestic sheep grazing allotment is located in the southern portion of the spectacular San Juan Range, 20 miles northeast of Durango. This grazing retirement removes the risk of contact between these domestic sheep and Bighorns and is a significant first step in eliminating the risk of disease transmission between domestic sheep and Bighorns across the entire San Juan range. The allotment was officially retired in February 2020.
Crooked Creek, Mahogany Butte, Cedar Point-Eightmile Grazing Agreements
Type of Livestock: Domestic Sheep
Type of Conflict: Risk of disease contact between domestic and bighorn sheep, suitable wolf and grizzly bear habitat
Size of Allotment: 143,000 acres
Location of Allotment: Idaho
Located in the "High Divide" wildlife corridor, these allotments are in critical habitat for expanding grizzly bear and wolf populations. Contact between domestic and bighorn sheep in the area also increases the risk of disease transmission, which prompted the National Wildlife Federation to work on reaching an agreement to remove domestic sheep from the allotments that took effect in July 2019.
Upper Crystal River Grazing Agreements
Type of Livestock: Domestic Sheep
Type of Conflict: Bighorn sheep disease risk
Size of Allotment: 33,646 acres
Location of Allotment: Colorado
The Upper Crystal River grazing allotment located in the Elk Mountains near Aspen, CO. The domestic sheep allotment is largely in the Maroon Bells Wilderness Area and increased contact between domestic sheep and bighorn sheep, consequently increasing potential spread of disease to the bighorn population in the area. The allotment was officially retired in August 2019.
