NCBA/PLC LETTER TO CHIEF BOSWORTH

April 26, 2004

Dale N. Bosworth, Chief
USDA Forest Service
14th and Independence, SW
Washington, DC 20090-6090

Dear Chief Bosworth:

The Public Lands Council and the Federal Lands Committee of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association strongly objects to any and all willful illegal activities (i.e. turning livestock out on grazing allotments without any approved documentation and authorization by the agency) that may occur on Federal and Public Lands. We firmly believe in working with the rules and regulations that currently exist to rectify any differences that could occur between permittees and agencies. We also believe that these differences should be resolved in as short a time frame as possible to avoid any further hardships to either party. Substantive progress will only be made to the extent both sides can focus on compliance with facts and law and put aside feelings about individuals.

In addition, the Public Lands Council and the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association strongly believe in promoting a good, healthy relationship between the agencies and the grazing permittees in the West. Effective and open lines of communication are imperative to continue to build a good rapport with each respective party (agency/permittee).


Sincerely,

/s/
Andy Groseta, Chairman
NCBA Federal Lands Committee

/s/
K.L. Bliss, President
Public Lands Council


cc: Mark Rey, Dave Tenny, Rebecca Watson, Kathleen Clarke