Trampling the Public Trust

60 Pages Posted: 30 Aug 2010

See all articles by Debra L. Donahue

Debra L. Donahue

University of Wyoming - College of Law

Date Written: August 29, 2010

Abstract

Livestock production is a chief contributor to many significant and intractable environmental problems. This Article examines the causal role of livestock (especially beef) production in global climate change, predator control in the western United States, and winter elk feeding in Wyoming. It argues that ending livestock grazing on western public lands is a cost effective first step for dealing with these problems and is readily achievable under existing law. Removing livestock would lead to improved watershed conditions and make reintroduction of predators politically feasible, which would promote further recovery of landscapes impacted by native ungulate populations. Ending public-land grazing would facilitate the closure of (arguably unlawful) elk feedgrounds, which contribute to unnaturally high elk populations and promote the spread of diseases. Closing the feedgrounds would improve conditions on these sites and slow the spread of disease. Collectively, these measures would promote ecosystem restoration, which would enhance prospects for coping with climate change.

Keywords: livestock production, grazing, ecosystem, public lands

Suggested Citation

Donahue, Debra L., Trampling the Public Trust (August 29, 2010). Boston College Environmental Affairs Law Review, Vol. 37, No. p. 257, 2010, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1668023

Debra L. Donahue (Contact Author)

University of Wyoming - College of Law ( email )

P.O. Box 3035
Laramie, WY 82071
United States

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