Thursday, October 1, 2026
WENATCHEE — The Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest is seeking public comment on a draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) aimed at reducing the risk of disease transmission between domestic livestock and bighorn sheep populations.
The proposal would amend existing forest land management plans by introducing new standards and guidelines to ensure effective separation between bighorn sheep and domestic sheep and goats. The plan would also require risk assessments for potential interactions between the two species.
Washington is home to 17 herds of bighorn sheep, with 10 of them relying on habitat within the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest. Wildlife managers have long raised concerns about the risk of pneumonia outbreaks in bighorn sheep, often linked to contact with domestic sheep.
The draft EIS evaluates several alternatives affecting nine current grazing allotments. Options include maintaining domestic sheep grazing with modifications, converting some allotments to cattle, or closing allotments altogether in areas where disease risk is high and conversion to cattle is not feasible.
The Forest Service is coordinating with the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife and the USDA Agricultural Research Service to develop a long-term grazing strategy that supports both livestock operations and bighorn sheep conservation.
Public comments must be submitted by Oct. 24. Comments can be made online at https://cara.fs2c.usda.gov/Public/CommentInput?Project=53257 or sent by mail to:
Domestic Sheep and Goat Grazing EIS Comments
Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest Supervisor’s Office
215 Melody Lane
Wenatchee, WA 98801
A final decision is expected in winter 2025–2026.
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