Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests Ranches

Ranches that are permitted to use grazing allotments administered by the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests and have benefited from government assistance. (Additional ranches are added to this list as information becomes available.)

Visit the Arizona Public Land Ranches Home Page for information about ranches in other regions of the state.

Government Assistance For Ranchers Program Key
ALLBAWPFECPEQIPEWPHPCHeritage FundLCCGPLFPLOFFAPLRPPFWPWQIG
AALB - Arizona Livestock Loss Board, Arizona Livestock Loss Board (federal/state)
AWPF - Arizona Water Protection Fund, AWPF Commission (state)
ECP - Emergency Conservation Program, USDA’s Farm Service Agency (federal)
EQIP - Environmental Quality Incentives Program, USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (federal)
The EQIP program absorbed the NRCS Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program (WHIP) after 2014.
EWP - Emergency Watershed Protection, USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (federal)
The Arizona EWP Drought Program was discontinued in 2001 after a critical audit.
HPC - Habitat Partnership Committee, Arizona Game & Fish Commission (state)
Arizona Heritage Fund, Arizona Game & Fish Commission (state)
LCCGP - Livestock & Crop Conservation Program, Arizona Department of Agriculture (state)
Note: Open Space Reserve Grants became LCCGP Grants after 2002.
LFP - Livestock Forage Disaster Program, USDA’s Farm Service Agency (federal)
LOFFAP - Livestock Operator Fire & Flood Assistance Program, Arizona Department of Agriculture (state)
LRP - Landowner Relations Program, Arizona Game & Fish Department (state)
PFWP - Partners for Fish & Wildlife Program, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (federal)
WQIG - Water Quality Improvement Grant, Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (federal/state)
Note: These grants were previously called Section 319 nonpoint source (NPS) water pollution prevention grants.
4 Bar Ranch4 Drag Ranch6K6 RanchAnchor RanchAndrus RanchBrown RanchChevelon Butte RanchCinco Noches RanchDouble Circle RanchFost Flake RanchFlying Box RanchHansen RanchJoseph A. Auza Sheep RanchesNoland RanchRogers/Lee RanchStrayhorse RanchThompson RanchTimberline RanchTule Springs RanchWild Bunch RanchWoods Canyon RanchWY Bar & LWJ RanchX Diamond Ranch
Four Bar Ranch (Four Bar Ranch LLC) - Mesa Allotment
YEARSPROGRAMAMOUNTPROJECT NAME
2002OSR #2*$25,552
2005LCCGP #05-38$50,000Fencing
2007LCCGP #07-27$100,000Livestock Water and Fencing
2009LCCGP #09-37$50,000Upper Eagle Creek Restoration
2011-2014EQIP$51,982
2020-2021LFP$15,824
$293,358TOTAL 2002 - 2021
* Open Space Reserve (OSR) grants became LCCGP grants in 2005.
4 Drag/7 Cross A Ranches (Darcy & Gary Ely) - East Eagle & Mud Springs Allotments
YEARSPROGRAMAMOUNTPROJECT NAME
2000AWPF #00-102*$66,330Livestock Water & Fences - Including San Carlos Reservation Boundary Fence
2002WQIG #04-022$45,750Livestock Water
2005LCCGP #05-33$125,000Fencing, Grassland Restoration, Livestock Water
2006WQIG #8-007**$360,930Upper Eagle Creek Watershed Restoration Phase 2
2007-2016EQIP$24,793
2007LCCGP #07-25$125,000Erosion Control, Livestock Water, and Fencing
2009LCCGP #09-36$100,000Watershed Improvement for SE Arizona Ranch Sustainability
2011LCCGP #11-15$125,000Watershed Project for SE Arizona Ranch Sustainability
2011AWPF #11-177$136,714San Carlos Reservation Boundary Fence
2011-2021LFP$257,702
2019ECP$25,285
2020ECP$3,384
2022LFP$26,992
$1,422,880TOTAL 2002 - 2022
* AWPF #00-102 was received by the ranch's previous owner.
** WQIG #8-007 was shared with three neighboring ranches.
The ranch’s owners also received at least $11,733 in compensation from the Arizona Livestock Loss Board since 2019 for cattle reportedly killed by endangered Mexican wolves.
This ranch was one of the beneficiaries of Arizona Post-Wildfire Infrastructure Assistance Program (APWIAP) grant #21-803 for $462,100 in response to the 2021 Bear Fire.
6K6 Ranch (High Country Cattle LLC) - AD Bar/Hogtrail Allotments
YEARSPROGRAMAMOUNTPROJECT NAME
2005LCCGP #05-21$125,000**Livestock Water and Fencing
2006WQIG #8-007*$360,930**Upper Eagle Creek Watershed Restoration Phase 2
2006-2007WHIP$5,887**
2006 - 2011EQIP$43,538**
2007LCCGP #07-11$100,000**Livestock Water and Fencing
2009LCCGP #09-20$75,000**AD Bar/Hogtrail Allotments Restoration Phase 2
2015-2021LFP$102,742
$813,097TOTAL 2005 - 2021
* WQIG #8-007 was shared with three neighboring ranches.
** This government assistance was received by the ranch's previous owner the Powder River Ranch LLC.

This ranch was one of the beneficiaries of Arizona Post-Wildfire Infrastructure Assistance Program (APWIAP) grant #21-803 for $462,100 in response to the 2021 Bear Fire.
Anchor Ranch (Anchor Ranch LLC) - Baseline-Horsesprings Grazing Allotment
YEARSPROGRAMAMOUNTPROJECT NAME
1996AWPF #96-0012$80,626Livestock Waters & Fences
2005LCCGP #05-48$113,803Grassland Restoration and Livestock Water
2007LCCGP #07-44$125,000Livestock Water
2007 - 2010EQIP$30,804
2009LCCGP #09-50$22,693Upper Eagle Creek Restoration, Baseline/Horsesprings Allotment
2011WHIP$27,775
2011-2020LFP$46,787
$442,488TOTAL 1996-2020
Andrus Ranch (Andrus Ranch Holdings LLC) - Sponseller & Ortega (FS) and Little Ortega Lake (BLM) Allotments, State Lease #05-000223
YEARSPROGRAMAMOUNTPROJECT NAME
2015-2021LFP$224,825
2017-2020EQIP$146,561

2018HPC #17-110$15,000Little Ortega Lake Water Well Solar Conversions
2020Heritage Fund$9,000Repair Bourdon Well Water System
2022EQIP$14,844
2022LFP$54,158
$464,388TOTAL 2015 - 2022
Brown Ranch (J. Albert Brown Ranches, Inc.) - Cerro Trigo, Greens Peak (FS) and Wildcat Creek (BLM) Allotments, State Leases #05-000160, #05-030837, #05-042016
YEARSPROGRAMAMOUNTPROJECT NAME
2009-2021EQIP$511,511
2011-2021LFP$718,094
2017AWPF #17-188$303,975Juniper Tree Removal
$1,533,580TOTAL 2009 - 2021
Brown Ranches also received at least $24,575 in compensation from the Arizona Livestock Loss Board since 2017 for cattle reportedly killed by endangered Mexican wolves. The Brown Ranch is owned by the descendants of the late influential state legislator Jack A. Brown, who died in 2015.
Chevelon Butte Ranch (O'Haco Cattle Co. LLC) - Clear Creek (FS) & Toltec Divide (BLM) Allotments, State Leases #05-001582, #05-000762
YEARSPROGRAMAMOUNTPROJECT NAME
1995HPC*$103,700Hi-Point Water Well
1996AWPF #96-002$77,844Hi-Point Water Well
1999EWP$90,205Paid to Take Cattle Off the Land During Drought
2002OSR #43**$5,961
2005LCCGP #05-74$30,390Water Development
2006-2008EQIP$42,728
2007Heritage Fund$14,000Public Access For 1 Year
2009WHIP***$183,900
2009-2014PFWP$88,500
2010HPC #09-106$6,000Water Pump Fuel
2010HPC #09-111$10,250Water Wells Maintenance
2011HPC #10-103$6,000Water Pump Fuel
2011-2021LFP$463,591
2012HPC #11-104$7,400Water Pump Fuel
2012HPC #11-105$7,500Dirt Tank Cleaning
2013HPC #12-105$8,300Water Pump Fuel
2014Heritage Fund$50,000Public Access for 5 Years
2014HPC #13-107$7,600Water Pump Fuel
2018Heritage Fund$75,000Public Access for 5 Years
2015HPC #14-106$10,000Water Wells Maintenance
2015HPC #14-107$7,600Water Pump Fuel
2017HPC #16-108$12,000Water Wells Fuel & Maintenance
2018HPC #17-105$31,000Water Wells Fuel & Maintenance
2019HPC #18-105$34,000Water Wells Fuel & Maintenance
2020HPC #19-104$33,000Water Wells Fuel & Maintenance
2021HPC #20-109$13,000Water Wells Fuel & Maintenance
2022HPC #21-102$13,000Water Wells Fuel & Maintenance
2022LFP$30,342
2023HPC #22-103$55,000Hi-Point Water Well Solar Pump Drive
2023HPC #22-104$5,000Water Wells Fuel & Maintenance
$1,522,811TOTAL 1995 - 2023
* The Arizona Game & Fish Department stated they no longer have any record of this HPC grant, but it was described in the AWPF grant application.
**Open Space Reserve (OSR) grants became LCCGP grants in 2005.
*** WHIP ended in 2013 and was absorbed by the EQIP program.

Ranch manager Jim O'Haco is a member of the Arizona Livestock Loss Board, which provides ranchers with financial compensation for claimed livestock losses from endangered Mexican wolves, along with wolf depredation prevention grants.
Cinco Noches Ranch (Galyn & Roxanne Knight) - Hayground/Reservation & Colter Creek Allotments, State Leases #05-001662 & #05-085885
YEARSPROGRAMAMOUNTPROJECT NAME
1999EWP$23,453Paid to Take Cattle Off the Land During Drought
2000EWP$8,422Paid to Take Cattle Off the Land During Drought
2002OSR #1*$25,552
2005LCCGP #05-55$43,306Livestock Water and Fencing
2011-2021LFP$312,672
2017-2020EQIP$388,697
2020WQIG #20-008**$188,911Sediment Basins Rehab
2022LFP$35,796
$1,026,809TOTAL 1999 - 2022
* Open Space Reserve (OSR) grants became LCCGP grants in 2005.
** The contractor for this project was the Knight’s son Daric Knight.
Double Circle Ranch (Wilma A. Jenkins) - Double Circle Allotment
YEARSPROGRAMAMOUNTPROJECT NAME
2005LCCGP #05-30$125,000Livestock Water and Fencing
2006WQIG #8-007*$360,930 Upper Eagle Creek Watershed Restoration Phase 2
2006AWPF #06-135$84,448Pasture Division Fence
2006 - 2010EQIP$84,114
2007LCCGP #07-48$125,000Livestock Water
2007WQIG #9-003$95,100San Carlos Reservation Boundary Fence
2008WQIG #10-003$92,294Livestock Fences & Waters
2009LCCGP #09-54$100,000Upper Eagle Creek Restoration, Double Circle Allotment
2009AWPF #09-163$35,356Erosion Control Structures, Phase 1
2011AWPF #11-176$36,866Erosion Control Structures, Phase 2
2011LCCGP #11-34$100,000Upper Eagle Creek Restoration, Double Circle Allotment, Phase 4
2011LFP$10,307
2014-2021LFP$71,954(K. Scott & Wendy K. Bryce)
2022LFP$2,419(K. Scott & Wendy K. Bryce)
$1,323,788TOTAL 2004 - 2022
* WQIG #8-007 was shared with three neighboring ranches.
Wilma Jenkins sold the Double Circle Ranch in 2012 to K. Scott & Wendy K. Bryce.
Fost Flake Ranch (Gaylan Flake) - Lake Mountain & Clay Springs Allotments, State Lease #05-001758
YEARSPROGRAMAMOUNTPROJECT NAME
1999EWP$22,579Paid to Take Cattle Off the Land During Drought
2000AWPF #99-095$34,037New Livestock Fences & Waters to Protect Brown Creek From Cattle
2000LRP$19,800Brown Creek Riparian Fence
2002OSR #4*$70,542Apache County
2002OSR #27*$19,458Navajo County
2008EQIP$226,554
$392,970TOTAL 1999 - 2008
* Open Space Reserve (OSR) grants became LCCGP grants in 2005.
Fost Flake died in 1997. His son Gaylan currently manages the ranch.
Flying Box Ranch (SPO Land & Cattle Co. LLC) - Udall & Rudd Creek Allotments, State Lease #05-001357
YEARSPROGRAMAMOUNTPROJECT NAME
2011-2021LFP$309,646
2013-2021EQIP$569,279
2015WQIG #15-005*$322,822Improve Upper Little Colorado River Watershed Degraded by Livestock Grazing
2022EQIP$41,330
2022LFP$42,382
$1,285,459TOTAL 2011 - 2022
* Per this project's final report, this grant was shared with five neighboring ranches.
The ranch’s owner also received at least $25,560 in compensation from the Arizona Livestock Loss Board since 2019 for livestock reportedly killed by endangered Mexican wolves. This includes $10,000 for a horse.
Hansen Ranch (Don L. Hansen) - Blue Ridge Allotment
YEARSPROGRAMAMOUNTPROJECT NAME
2005LCCGP #05-45$50,000Grassland Restoration
2007LCCGP #07-38$55,000Grassland Restoration, Water Development
2007-2008EQIP$124,720
$229,720TOTAL 2005 - 2008
Joseph A. & Tammy Auza Sheep Ranches (Joseph A. Auza Sheep Co., LLC) - Hat (Kaibab NF), Long Tom (A-S NF) & Sawtooth Mtn. (BLM) Allotments , State Leases #05-071224 & #05-000311
YEARSPROGRAMAMOUNTPROJECT NAME
2010-2012EQIP$275,042Pinal County
2012-2021LFP$795,740
2019HPC #18-212*$100,000Remove Juniper Trees
2021HPC #20-207**$50,000Remove Juniper Trees
2022LFP$122,812
$1,343,594TOTAL 2010 - 2022
The state grazing leases are located in Pinal County.
* Portions of this project were completed on neighboring Kaibab National Forest allotments, including the adjacent Irishman Dam grazing allotment.
** This project was shared with the Slate Mountain grazing allotment on the nearby Coconino National Forest.

The Sawtooth Mountain allotment is located in the BLM's Ironwood Forest National Monument.
Noland Ranch (Turtle Cattle Co. LLC) - Turtle Mountain, Morenci, Metcalf (BLM) & Granville (FS) Allotments, State Subleases #05-001089, #05-002190
YEARSPROGRAMAMOUNTPROJECT NAME
2007LCCGP #07-70$125,000Livestock Water, Fencing
2008WQIG #10-008$126,900Gila Box RNCA Riparian Fence
2008LRP$22,200Gila Box RNCA Riparian Fence
2009-2015EQIP$180,873
2011-2016LFP$306,270
2011LCCGP #11-52$83,910Chesser Creek Rehab
2013HPC #12-502$29,623Turtle Mtn. Allotment Water & Livestock Fence
2014HPC #13-503$33,000Turtle Mtn. Allotment Water & Livestock Fence
2016LCCGP #16-19$47,863Livestock Fence Reconstruction
2018LFP$48,886
2020-2021LFP$106,920(Turtle Cattle Co. LLC)
2022LFP$32,104(Turtle Cattle Co. LLC)
$1,143,549TOTAL 2007 - 2022
Most of the government assistance listed above benefited Noland Ranch LLC, which sold the ranch in 2019 to Turtle Cattle Co. LLC. One of the ranch's new owners, John L. Klump, was convicted in 1998 of selling the hides of endangered jaguars and ocelots.
Rodgers/Lee Ranch (Spear T Ranch, LLC) - N. Escudilla Allotment, State Lease #05-000787
YEARSPROGRAMAMOUNTPROJECT NAME
2011-2019EQIP*$375,072
2011-2018LFP*$31,733
2015WQIG #15-005*$322,822Improve Upper Little Colorado River Watershed Degraded by Livestock Grazing
2018WQIG #20-007*$59,869Repair Coyote Creek Streambank
2020LFP$11,646
2020HPC #19-106$90,000Pinyon Pine & Juniper Tree Removal (Year 1 of 5 years of $90,00 per year.)
2021HPC #20-106$90,000Pinyon Pine & Juniper Tree Removal (Year 2 of 5 years of $90,00 per year.)
2021EQIP$119,557
2022HPC #21-106$90,000Pinyon Pine & Juniper Tree Removal (Year 3 of 5 years of $90,00 per year.)
2022EQIP$97,143
2023HPC #22-106$90,000Pinyon Pine & Juniper Tree Removal (Year 4 of 5 years of $90,00 per year.)
$1,377,812TOTAL 2011 - 2023
* This assistance was received by the ranch’s previous owner Betty Elaine Rogers, who passed away on July 17, 2019. Shawna Lee is her daughter.
Per the final report final report for WQIG #15-005, it was shared with five neighboring ranches.
The ranch’s owners also received at least $3,355 in compensation from the Arizona Livestock Loss Board since 2022 for cattle reportedly killed by endangered Mexican wolves.
Strayhorse Ranch (Stray Horse Ranch, LLC) - Strayhorse Allotment
YEARSPROGRAMAMOUNTPROJECT NAME
2011-2018LFP$62,786
2013LCCGP #13-01$40,000Watershed Improvements
2014Heritage Fund$5,000Livestock Water & Fencing
$107,786TOTAL 2011 - 2018
The ranch’s owners also received at least $3,720 in compensation from the Arizona Livestock Loss Board since 2022 for cattle reportedly killed by endangered Mexican wolves.
This ranch was one of the beneficiaries of Arizona Post-Wildfire Infrastructure Assistance Program (APWIAP) grant #21-803 for $462,100 in response to the 2021 Bear Fire.
Thompson Ranch (John & Cherlyann Thompson) - St. Mary & Benton Creek Allotments, State Leases #05-001584 & #05-085654
YEARSPROGRAMAMOUNTPROJECT NAME
2016HPC #15-103$10,000Riparian Exclosure
2016-2019EQIP$242,858
2018-2021LFP$18,323
$271,181TOTAL 2016 - 2021
Timberline Ranch (Timberline Cattle Co., LLC) - Hall & Harris Lake Allotments, State Leases #05-088172 & #05-110230
YEARSPROGRAMAMOUNTPROJECT NAME
2009LCCGP #09-33$100,000Adaptive Livestock Management
2010-2014EQIP$119,058
2011WHIP$46,963
2011LCCGP #11-14$112,350Implementing Conservation
2011-2019LFP$765,842
2014HPC #13-103$45,000Remove Juniper Trees
2015HPC #14-10978,200Remove Juniper Trees
2015Heritage Fund$3,000Mexican Wolf/Livestock Conflict Reduction
2016Heritage Fund$3,000Mexican Wolf/Livestock Conflict Reduction
2017Heritage Fund$5,000Mexican Wolf/Livestock Conflict Reduction
2019Heritage Fund$5,000Mexican Wolf/Livestock Conflict Reduction
2023AWPF #2301$261,000Remove Juniper Trees
$1,544,413TOTAL 2009 - 2023
The Timberline Ranch also received at least $144,610 in compensation from the Arizona Livestock Loss Board since 2017 for cattle reportedly killed by endangered Mexican wolves.
Tule Springs Ranch (Winkle Brothers LLC) - Tule Grazing Allotment
YEARSPROGRAMAMOUNTPROJECT NAME
2005LCCGP #05-95$100,000Livestock Water
2006WQIG #8-007*$360,930 Upper Eagle Creek Watershed Restoration Phase 2
2007LCCGP #07-90$100,000Livestock Water and Fencing
2009-2019EQIP$46,843
2009LCCGP #09-116$100,000Upper Eagle Creek Watershed Restoration, Tule Allotment
2011LCCGP #11-81$122,572Tule Springs Ranch & Allotment Resource Management
2011-2021LFP$56,036
$886,381TOTAL 2005 - 2021
* WQIG #8-007 was shared with three neighboring ranches.
Wild Bunch Ranch (Luke G. & Rebecca A. Baumeister) - Wildbunch Allotment
YEARSPROGRAMAMOUNTPROJECT NAME
2007LCCGP #07-15$50,000*Water Development & Fencing
2007-2011EQIP$53,312*
2011-2020LFP$118,196*
2020-2022LFP$81,145
$302,653TOTAL 2007 - 2022
* This government assistance was received by the ranch’s previous owners, Carlyle & Martha Cathcart.
Woods Canyon Ranch (Ronald W. Graves) - Hickey (FS) & Wilky (BLM) Allotments, State Lease #05-001286
YEARSPROGRAMAMOUNTPROJECT NAME
2008-2011EQIP$93,870
2011-2020LFP$183,024
2022LFP$20,896
$297,790TOTAL 2008 - 2022
WY Bar & LWJ Ranch (LWJ Ranch, LLC) - Cow Flat, Foote Creek, PS, Stone Creek, Alpine, Bobcat-Johnson, Fishhook-Steeple Mesa, and Beaver Creek Allotments
YEARSPROGRAMAMOUNTPROJECT NAME
2002OSR #23*$38,839
2005LCCGP #05-65$87,339Livestock Water & Grassland Restoration
2007LCCGP #07-62$100,000Livestock Water & Grassland Restoration
2009LCCGP #09-72$100,000Riparian, Livestock Water & Management
2011LCCGP #11-45$125,000Livestock Water & Riparian Protection
2011LFP$13,210$5,046 LWJ Ranch LLC
$8,164 Barbara Marks
2014Heritage Fund$6,000Mexican Wolf/Livestock Conflict Reduction
2016Heritage Fund$6,000Mexican Wolf/Livestock Conflict Reduction
2017Heritage Fund$6,000Mexican Wolf/Livestock Conflict Reduction
2018Heritage Fund$6,000Mexican Wolf/Livestock Conflict Reduction
2019-2021EQIP$24,059
2019ALLB$32,000Mexican Wolf Depredation Prevention Grant #19.007
2021HPC #20-108$20,000Dirt Tank Cleanouts
2021LFP$38,526$19,812 LWJ Ranch LLC
$18,714 Barbara Marks
2022HPC #21-105$39,000Dirt Tank Cleaning
2022EQIP$164
2022LFP$36,821$16,578 LWJ Ranch LLC
$20,243 Barbara Marks
$678,958TOTAL 2002 - 2022
* Open Space Reserve (OSR) grants became LCCGP grants in 2005.
The WY Bar Ranch also received at least $43,727 in compensation from the Arizona Livestock Loss Board since 2017 for cattle reportedly killed by endangered Mexican wolves.
This ranch was one of the beneficiaries of Arizona Post-Wildfire Infrastructure Assistance Program (APWIAP) grant #21-804 for $483,545 in response to the 2020 Cow Canyon Fire. This ranch was one of the beneficiaries of Arizona Post-Wildfire Infrastructure Assistance Program (APWIAP) grant #21-805 for $230,250 in response to the 2021 Horton Complex Fire.
X Diamond Ranch (Southfork Properties LLP) - Greer & Voigt Allotments, State Leases #05-053061 & #05-082958, Sublease #05-000187-102
YEARSPROGRAMAMOUNTPROJECT NAME
2006AWPF #05-126$352,119X Diamond Ranch Little Colorado River Riparian Enhancement Project
2014Heritage Fund$5,000Mexican Wolf/Livestock Conflict Reduction
2015Heritage Fund$5,000Mexican Wolf/Livestock Conflict Reduction
2017Heritage Fund$5,000Mexican Wolf/Livestock Conflict Reduction
2018Heritage Fund$5,000Mexican Wolf/Livestock Conflict Reduction
2019ALLB$66,000Mexican Wolf Depredation Prevention Grants #19.001 & #19.005
2020ALLB$66,000Mexican Wolf Depredation Prevention Grants #20.010 & #20.012
2021ALLB$63,500Mexican Wolf Depredation Prevention Grants #21.015 & #21.017
$567,619TOTAL 2006 - 2021
Ranch manager Sarahmarge "Wink" Crigler is a member of the Arizona Livestock Loss Board (ALLB), which provides ranchers with financial compensation for claimed livestock losses from endangered Mexican wolves, along with wolf depredation prevention grants. In addition to the $195,500 of depredation prevention grants she received from the ALLB, which are listed above, she also received at least $15,004 in compensation from the ALLB since 2019 for cattle reportedly killed by endangered Mexican wolves.
Crigler has also been given a sublease by the AZ Game & Fish Dept. for one of the state grazing leases the agency holds for its White Mountains Grasslands Wildlife Area. These leases were associated with the Cross L and Ocote ranch properties the Department purchased to create the wildlife area. The agency held onto them in order to be able to maintain some control over their manner of use.
Background Information About Government Assistance Programs

Some of this financial assistance was justified as being primarily for the purpose of improving wildlife habitat or watershed health. But those projects also benefited livestock production on the ranches where they were implemented. Whatever improvements to local natural resource conditions that might have resulted were tempered by the increased livestock grazing they facilitated.

The assistance didn’t always go directly to the ranchers, but sometimes to local non-profit organizations that helped them complete application processes and minimize taxable income. This included the Altar Valley Conservation Alliance, Coronado Resource Conservation & Development Area, Inc., Gila Watershed Partnership of Arizona, and the Upper Eagle Creek Watershed Association (UECWA).

Some of it also went to the local Natural Resource Conservation District (NRCD). Arizona’s NRCDs are regional subdivisions of the State Land Department, and are comprised only of local landowners, mostly ranchers, that work to obtain funding for agricultural “conservation” projects. They often work to obtain grants that directly benefit their members, including their governing supervisors. The local NRCDs also created the private nonprofit Arizona Association of Conservation Districts so they could apply for more types of assistance.

These aren't the only examples of Arizona ranches that benefited from government assistance. But it takes a lot of work to gather and compile this sort of information, because the agencies don't normally disclose it, so this web page will be updated as additional records are obtained. Also, the information provided about some of these ranches may be incomplete. But that just means those ranches benefited from at least the amounts shown.

This page was last updated on Sep 15, 2023 @ 11:21 am.

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