Pearce Introduces Bill to Preserve, Protect and Restore Rangeland Grazing Rights

Congressman Steve Pearce (R-NM) today introduced legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives designed to restore and preserve grazing rights for New Mexico's ranchers.
Currently, many ranchers are prohibited from grazing their cattle on forest lands in the Southwest Region because required studies on the health of the rangeland have not been completed. Pearce's bill would restore rangeland grazing in the Southwest Region once studies indicate conditions are conducive to grazing.
Pearce's bill would require the Secretary of Agriculture to enter into cooperative agreements with New Mexico State University to conduct all studies required by the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) on National Forest System Lands in New Mexico.
"Agriculture is a large contributor to New Mexico's economy. If our ranchers' right to graze their cattle on our national forests is hindered by a Federal Agency's inability to perform the required rangeland studies, our agriculture economy will take a hit," Pearce said...