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Saturday, March 6, 2004
Board Hears Cattle Rancher's Grazing Plea
By Leslie Linthicum and Jeff Jones
Journal Staff Writers
A couple of dozen ranchers packed the New Mexico Livestock Board meeting Friday to ask the board to help Diamond Bar ranchers Kit and Sherry Laney fight eviction of their cattle from federal land by the U.S. Forest Service.
The livestock board said it probably can't.
But its members approved sending a letter to the U.S. Attorney that asks the feds to clarify what the board has to do to comply with the law.
The livestock board's only involvement in the longstanding federal fight is that it is the agency that inspects cattle when they are sold.
"It's federal land, it's federal jurisdiction, it's in federal court," said Daniel Manzanares, the board's executive director. "Bottom line, we don't have a dog in this fight."
The Laneys have been at odds with the Forest Service almost since they bought the ranch in 1985. Federal courts have ruled against the Laneys' claim of private property rights to graze more than 1,000 head of cattle on the ranch, which is mostly on federal land. A federal judge ruled in December the Laneys never had a property right to graze on the allotment. He ordered their herd, now at about 400 head, off the land.
Wranglers have been hired and, over the Laneys' objections, arrangements are under way for a roundup.
Supporters of the Laneys— many of them in the ranch uniform of boots, hats and jeans— filled the boardroom in Albuquerque and stood shoulder-to-shoulder along the walls.
Hugh B. McKeen of Glenwood, who has grazing rights on a Forest Service allotment, called the Forest Service "our worst enemy."
He told the board that to "yoke" itself to the federal agency is a big mistake.
"Write them a letter, and tell them they're wrong, and get on board with the ranchers," McKeen urged. "We're a dying breed down there on this public land. ... Don't aid and abet the enemy."
Livestock board chairman Bill King told the crowd the board isn't supporting the Forest Service— it is simply following a federal judge's order.
But fellow board member Joe Delk, who introduced the letter to be sent to U.S. Attorney David Iglesias, said there is "way too much muddy water" about the matter for the board to make a decision.
"I think we're missing an opportunity to do something here today that's in the best interests of all these people," he said, referring to the packed crowd.
The livestock board has the duty under New Mexico law to inspect cattle before they are sold. Once the cattle are removed by contractors working for the federal government, state livestock inspectors will inspect them for proper brands before they are sold.
The board unanimously approved sending a letter to Iglesias that includes 13 questions about the case, including queries about whether the court's order specifically involves the livestock board. The board said it would send the letter if it is approved by the board's attorney.
Kit Laney said he was impressed with the turnout from fellow ranchers.
"Yes, they're here to support us. They're (also) here to protect their own property. If they take mine, they can sure as hell ... take what everyone else here has."