Suit Contests Basis
Of Wyoming Leases

CHEYENNE, Wyo. —(AP)— A preferential system for renewing grazing rights on state land should end because it prevents the state from charging as much as it could otherwise, according to a lawsuit headed to the Wyoming Supreme Court.

State law allows holders of 10-year grazing rights to renew their leases at the price offered by the highest competing bidder. But William Riedel claims the law short-changes public schools.

Riedel has filed suit against Craig and Gail Anderson, who hold the grazing rights on 640 acres in Laramie County. The Andersons renewed their lease at Riedel's $6000 high bid in January.

In such cases of competition, grazing leases should be sold at public auction to get a fair market value, according to a brief filed by Riedel's attorney, former Attorney General Steve Freudenthal.

But the Andersons argue that the lawsuit is a side-door approach to get the constitutional question before the Supreme Court.

Moreover, overturning the preferential right system "could diminish or destroy the value of Wyoming ranching interests, which generate a large part of the revenues which support the schools of the state," a brief filed on the Andersons' behalf stated.

A "range war" could result, "where the weapons are checkbooks and pens instead of guns," the brief added.

Riedel filed the lawsuit in District Court in Cheyenne after the Wyoming Board of Land Commissioners denied his appeal. Judge Ed Grant referred the case to the Supreme Court.

The Wyoming Stock Growers Association has meanwhile petitioned the Supreme Court to file a brief in the lawsuit, claiming its 1100 members have a major stake in the outcome. Most have leases on state lands.

"The economic base of almost all counties in the state of Wyoming is agricultural activity directly linked to leases of school lands," the motion said.