The Relationship Between Land Ownership and Range Condition in Rich County, Utah

Abstract

A study was conducted in Rich County, Utah, to determine the relationship between land ownership and range condition. Analysis of variance and paired-plot t-tests were used to compare range condition ratings on Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management (BLM), state, and private lands. Forest Service land was in the highest range condition, BLM and private land had comparable intermediate condition ratings, and state-owned rangeland was in the lowest condition. Per acre grazing program expenditures in Utah by various land management agencies show an apparent correlation between expenditures and range condition. Thus, range condition may reflect management effort rather than the structure of public land property rights.