Under the settlement agreement El Paso Corp. agreed to provide 22 million dollars to the Western Watersheds Project (WWP) and the Oregon Natural Desert Association (ONDA) "to establish two boards responsible for the distribution and funding of alleged 'resource conservation' activities including the buyout of grazing permits. El Paso Corp. agreed to the settlement in response to pressure from WWP over the development of a 680-mile oil pipeline stretching from Wyoming to Oregon."
According to the Standard-Examiner, ranchers are concerned that the money put up by El Paso Corp. could be used to purchase grazing permits. Currently, "the Taylor Grazing Act of 1934 allows the Secretary of the Interior to issue grazing permits to 'settlers, residents and other stock owners' with preference given to those who live within or near the district where the land is located."
Jon Marvel, executive director of the WWP, however, has stated that "it is time to end public grazing." Ranchers are concerned that if the Act is changed, it would be detrimental to states which rely on grazing to decrease fuel sources for wildfires.
Loren H. Lochner, regional director of government affairs for El Paso Corp., said that the contract that was a business decision that is surrounded by a lot of misinformation. He also stated that the contract "does not allow any money to be used for litigation, nor does it allow for the purchase of grazing permits at auction."
To read the Southwest Farm Press story, click here.
To read the Standard-Examiner story, click here.
Posted: 08/05/2010
