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Churchill County Commissioners agreed to support the Nevada Cattlemen's Association's in its legal battle against an environmental group that is challenging Nevada grazing permits.
Ron Torell, an NCA board member, read a statement from NCA President Dan Gralian at the commission's recent meeting. In it, Gralian explained the Western Watersheds Project filed a lawsuit against the Department of Interior and Bureau of Land Management regarding grazing allotments in Idaho and Nevada.
“The protection of sage-grouse and sage-grouse habitat is Western Watershed's stated purpose behind this suit, but it is common knowledge that their primary agenda is to drive us ranchers off of our public lands,” Gralian's letter states.
He further claimed Western Watersheds Project “challenges the validity of almost all 10-year grazing permit renewals” in the Elko BLM district and estimated the suit affects more than 300 permits in Nevada.
The case is being heard by Idaho District court Judge Lynn Winmill, “a judge that has a history of being friendly to Western Watersheds and in most cases has ruled in their favor,” Gralian stated.
The Nevada and Idaho associations have joined through the Washington D.C.-based Public Lands Council and will petition the court to obtain intervener status.
Torell asked the commission for as much support as Churchill County could legally provide.
“A unified effort shows we're tired of being bullied around by a 44-cent stamp,” Torell said.
Commissioner Carl Erquiaga said Western Watersheds measures its victories by the number of court cases it wins, and Commissioner Norm Frey said it was “patently wrong” for Nevada permitees to be challenged in an Idaho court.
Deputy District Attorney Rusty Jardine said he read the 120-page complaint and spoke with the Elko County District Attorney regarding the case, and said Churchill County was limited in available actions.
However, Jardine recommended Churchill County file an amicus brief, which is a document filed in court by an entity not directly related to the case. The amicus brief can provide additional information for the ruling judge and becomes part of the official case record.
“This is still an ag community, and beef cattle are a large part of our economy,” said Commission Chairwoman Gwen Washburn. “We need to protect that.”
Commissioners unanimously agreed to have the District Attorney's office file an amicus brief.
Ron Torell, an NCA board member, read a statement from NCA President Dan Gralian at the commission's recent meeting. In it, Gralian explained the Western Watersheds Project filed a lawsuit against the Department of Interior and Bureau of Land Management regarding grazing allotments in Idaho and Nevada.
“The protection of sage-grouse and sage-grouse habitat is Western Watershed's stated purpose behind this suit, but it is common knowledge that their primary agenda is to drive us ranchers off of our public lands,” Gralian's letter states.
He further claimed Western Watersheds Project “challenges the validity of almost all 10-year grazing permit renewals” in the Elko BLM district and estimated the suit affects more than 300 permits in Nevada.
The case is being heard by Idaho District court Judge Lynn Winmill, “a judge that has a history of being friendly to Western Watersheds and in most cases has ruled in their favor,” Gralian stated.
The Nevada and Idaho associations have joined through the Washington D.C.-based Public Lands Council and will petition the court to obtain intervener status.
Torell asked the commission for as much support as Churchill County could legally provide.
“A unified effort shows we're tired of being bullied around by a 44-cent stamp,” Torell said.
Commissioner Carl Erquiaga said Western Watersheds measures its victories by the number of court cases it wins, and Commissioner Norm Frey said it was “patently wrong” for Nevada permitees to be challenged in an Idaho court.
Deputy District Attorney Rusty Jardine said he read the 120-page complaint and spoke with the Elko County District Attorney regarding the case, and said Churchill County was limited in available actions.
However, Jardine recommended Churchill County file an amicus brief, which is a document filed in court by an entity not directly related to the case. The amicus brief can provide additional information for the ruling judge and becomes part of the official case record.
“This is still an ag community, and beef cattle are a large part of our economy,” said Commission Chairwoman Gwen Washburn. “We need to protect that.”
Commissioners unanimously agreed to have the District Attorney's office file an amicus brief.
