Why aren't there more Clive Bundies?

[struggle4progress]

... Bundy appears to be the only rancher in Nevada who is refusing to pay federal grazing fees. Why?

The big reason is that the federal grazing fees are so cheap – only$1.35 a month per animal unit (a cow and a calf –calves eat free!). By contrast, private landowners, states and even other federal agencies charge much, much more for grazing privileges—with rates running anywhere from $20 to $150 per AUM, or 15 to more than 110 times what BLM charges.

You’d have to be an absolute wacko to look this gift cow in the mouth. Bundy’s stance is like a shoplifter complaining that there is no free home delivery for the merchandise he has lifted ...

Even if Bundy were to pay his grazing fees, that should not constitute an entitlement to trash public lands. PEER is pushing BLM to enforce its own range health standards for water quality, watershed functionality and wildlife habitat. Help us end flagrant abuse of your public lands. Sincerely,

Jeff Ruch
Executive Director
PEER

http://www.flyrodreel.com/blogs/tedwilliams/2014/may/arent-there-clive-bundies

[Kali]

1. fee differences

are equivalent to room rate differences between motel 6 on the bad side of town near the freeway/train tracks and a full service resort spa hotel.

you generally get what you pay for. trust me.

[TexasProgresive]

3. No matter how poor the range land

Bundy GETS what he doesn't pay for.

One thing is that the fee is per animal not per acre. So if the land can support one mama cow on 20 acres the fee is the same as on land that requires 150 acres per cow.

[Warpy]

2. There are scofflaws out here but most are running just a few animals

thinking the BLM won't care about two or three steers and generally they don't unless there's some kind of problem, like overgrazing a piece of BLM land because it's convenient.

Bundy is grazing more than two to three steers. His theft has become grand theft.

[yurbud]

4. great find--we should be charging closer to the private rate, not necessarily for ranchers but

other taking from public lands.

[Jefferson23]

5. +1 n/t