Livestock impacts for management of reclaimed land at Navajo Mine: The decision-making process

Conference · Wed Dec 31 04:00:00 EST 1997

OSTI ID:613833

Estrada, O J ^[1]; Grogan, S ^[2]; Gadzia, K L ^[3]

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1. BHP World Minerals Navajo Mine, Fruitland, NM (United States)
2. Resource Planning & Management Inc., Albuquerque, NM (United States)
3. Resource Management Services, Bernalillo, NM (United States)

Livestock grazing is the post-mining use for reclaimed land at Navajo Mine, a large surface coal mine on the Navajo Nation in northwest New Mexico. The Navajo Mine Grazing Management Program (GMP) uses holistic management on approximately 2,083 ha of reclaimed land to plan for final liability release and return of the land to the Navajo Nation, and to minimize the potential for post-release liability. The GMP began in 1991 to establish that livestock grazing on the reclaimed land is sustainable. Assuming that sustainability requires alternatives to conventional land management practices, the GMP created a Management Team consisting of company staff, local, Navajo Nation, and Federal government officials, and technical advisors. Community members contributed to the formation of a holistic goal for the GMP that articulates their values and their desire for sustainable grazing. Major decisions (e.g., artificial insemination, water supply, supplemental feed) are tested against the goal. Biological changes in the land and the grazing animals are monitored daily to provide early feedback to managers, and annually to document the results of grazing. To date, the land has shown resilience to grazing and the animals have generally prospered. Community participation in the GMP and public statements of support by local officials indicate that the GMP`s strategy is likely to succeed.

• OSTI ID: 613833
• Report Number(s): CONF-9705128--
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

01 COAL, LIGNITE, AND PEAT
29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY
AMERICAN INDIANS
COAL MINES
DOMESTIC ANIMALS
ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS
GRAZING
LAND RECLAMATION
LAND RESOURCES
LAND USE
NEW MEXICO
REMEDIAL ACTION