New Mexico county defies U.S. government over cattle grazing

[duhneece]

Yes, my DU'er. Either this county has commissioners who are in love with Bundy or we're burning books ...ok, that last one was in the 90's...I actually suggested to the County Commissioners that we use science and facts instead of feelings and opinions to make decisions. I was 'dismissed.' Another gentleman (one of us) suggested we ALL get a voice at the decision-table, and he got the whole anti-socialism, anti-government, well, anti-FEDERAL-government, how we gotta take the country back, etc. rant.

(Reuters) - A rural New Mexico county has voted to defy the federal government and give a rancher's cattle access to a watering hole fenced off by the Forest Service in the latest dispute over federal control of public land in the U.S. West.

Commissioners in Otero County voted 2-0 on Monday night to authorize Sheriff Benny House to open a gate allowing nearly 200 head of cattle into the 23-acre area despite Forest Service restrictions. A third commissioner was out of town for the vote.

"We are reacting to the infringement of the U.S. Forest Service on the water rights of our land-allotment owners," Otero County Commissioner Tommie Herrell told Reuters. "People have been grazing there since 1956."

But a U.S. Forest Service spokesman said the fence has also been there for decades, protecting a delicate ecosystem surrounding a natural spring as well as an endangered species of mouse from being trampled by cattle....

http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/05/13/us-usa-newmexico-cattle-idUSBREA4C0XV20140513

[SamKnause]

1. 200 head of cattle on 23 acres will do some serious damage.

[duhneece]

2. And the damage lasts forever

It may be time to stop all cattle allotments on BLM or US Forest Service lands in fragile desert environments. Especially now that we are officially in drought conditions.

[SamKnause]

3. Indeed it may be time.

[dbackjon]

4. It is long past time

Cattle destroy wet areas in the forest and desert.

[duhneece]

9. Agreed. nt

[truebluegreen]

5. And all for $1.50 per head per month!

Really getting our money's worth on federal lands...and of course it is not just the cattle industry.

[lpbk2713]

6. The question is, which prominent citizen are they acting on behalf of?

I'm sure the local auto mechanic or the cook at the local greasy
spoon could give a rat's ass how 200 head of cattle get fed.

[ancianita]

7. Glad it's just one county. Most of NM appreciates the work of BLM and the Forest Service. nt

[Comrade Grumpy]

8. I don't think this shit happens when Republicans are in the White House. Go figure.

[duhneece]

10. There's a worship of the 'Myth of the Cowboy'

And it's alive & well in Otero County. These ranchers have far more clout than their numbers would indicate.