From Publishers Weekly
To environmentalists, wilderness is a valuable resource and a sacred place; to many ranchers, wilderness means eviction and government interference. Russell, herself a westerner, here tackles the complex and controversial issues of land health and wildlife in the West. Overgrazing is a major problem that can cause permanent damage. The figures are awesome: 80% of Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management regions, 50% of designated Wilderness Areas and 35% of National Wildlife Refuges are grazed. Fewer than 15% of all grazing permits remain with the original holders; "ranchers" include the Vail Ski Corp., the Union and Getty oil companies. In 1990, federal agencies spent $52 million more on programs dealing with livestock than they collected in grazing fees. Russell ( Songs of the Fluteplayer ) presents a number of viewpoints and profiles courageous individuals who are making an effort to restore the land. She stresses that although ranching traditions must be preserved, we need not graze 70% of the land. A provocative and enlightening account.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.
From Library Journal
Russell, a resident of New Mexico's Mimbres Valley, presents the opposing viewpoints involved in the battle over grazing on the public lands in the West. She gives a personal touch to the discussion through interviews with people on both sides of the issue, and although an environmentalist herself, she allows both sides to have their say. Although she promises to sketch out a common ground between opposing views, Russell instead gets sidetracked by the "spiritual" aspects of the environmental movement. She is careful with her statistical sources, relying on those that are impartial. Her book is well written, and while it says nothing new to specialists, it is useful in providing some perspective on the public lands debate for the general reader. Suitable, but not essential, for most libraries.
- Stephen H. Peters, Northern Michigan Univ. Lib., Marquette
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.
- Stephen H. Peters, Northern Michigan Univ. Lib., Marquette
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.
