Ranchers Suing BLM
Over Grazing Policy

Ranchers in Oregon, Wyoming, Colorado, New Mexico and Utah are suing the federal government over an environmental policy they say will put them out of the livestock business.

The policy requires the Federal Bureau of Land Management, an agency of the Interior Department, to ensure each grazing operation managed by the BLM complies with various federal environmental laws, according to the suit filed in U.S. District Court.

The ranchers say they will be put out of business because BLM does not have the time or personnel to review 4500 grazing permits due for renewal Sept. 30.

Fearing the government will force them to remove their cattle and sheep from grazing permits not examined by the deadline, the ranchers have asked the court for an injunction to prevent the BLM from removing livestock if the environmental reviews are not completed.

The environmental policy was established in December by Interior Secretary Bruce Babbitt.

The lawsuit was filed by the Oregon Cattlemen's Association, the Wyoming Wool Growers Association, and associations of public lands users in Colorado and New Mexico, all of whom represent ranchers with permits to grazing livestock on federal lands. Ranchers in Utah and New Mexico are also suing.