OCA: Hammond Grazing Permits Concerning For All Oregon Ranchers

Last week, a federal judge allowed Dwight and Steven Hammonds partial grazing rights in Eastern Oregon, a decision that has many in the livestock industry concerned.  The judge in Portland issued a 58-page ruling July 16^th, granting a partial preliminary injunction as environmental advocacy groups continue to challenge Hammond Ranches ten-year federal grazing permit.  The judge approved BLM’s alternative grazing plan proposed last month.  Environmental groups, such as the Western Watersheds Project, the Center for Biological Diversity and Wildearth Guardians had rejected that proposal, calling for any cattle grazing on federal lands to be prohibited.

The judge ordered the Hammonds not to graze on the federal Mud Creek allotment, but permitted cattle to "trail through" that parcel to get to the federal Hardie Summer allotment.  The Hardie Summer allotment is nearly 10,000 acres, of which the Hammonds own 39% and 61% is publicly owned.  Jerome Rosa Executive Director of the Oregon Cattlemen’s Association said last week’s ruling is concerning in a number of ways.

“The case was made the Sage Grouse were doing well in some of the areas on these two particular allotments in spite of the fact some of those areas did not have much sage brush on them.  And if cattle were allowed into those allotments with that tall grass that it could cause irreparable harm to Sage Grouse.”

Rosa added with all of those fine fuels, he’s concerned a lightning strike could start a fast, hot fire that would kill not only the sage grouse, chicks, eggs, but other wildlife in the area.  He said Tuesday’s ruling greatly reduces the amount of grazing land in the western U.S.

Rosa added the OCA will work with national representatives to determine the proper course of action.

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