New Grazing Rules Proposed

Washington, D.C. – The Bush Administration is proposing new rules to help ranchers who graze on Public Lands. Environmentalists are concerned because they say the rules roll back all of the Clinton Era Restrictions on managing rangeland, which will lead to overgrazing. They also fear that the new rules make it harder for public comment to take place. B-L-M Special Assistant Jim Kenna insists that they are not rolling back anything.The new rues also gives the Bureau of Land management two years, instead of one, to make grazing decisions needed to maintain healthy ranges. Interior Secretary Gail Norton says the proposal recognizes that ranching is crucial to western economies.