Forest mulls changes to N. Idaho grazing allotment

Officials with the Nez Perce National Forest say they will consider modifying or ending domestic sheep grazing on a tract of public land east of Riggins. Forest officials said Monday they will write a new environmental impact statement to determine if domestic sheep grazing poses a threat to native bighorn sheep on the north side of the Salmon River canyon. Sheep grazing on the so-called Allison-Berg grazing allotment has been banned since 2007 when a federal judge ruled domestic sheep put wild bighorns at risk of contracting a deadly respiratory disease. A sheep grazing plan was approved for the 40,000-acre tract in 1996. But at the time, forest officials didn't believe native bighorns roamed the area. But forest officials say conditions have changed and it's time to do a full environmental review...AP