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Conflict Between Ranchers And Federal Lands Out West Analysis

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“Conflict Between Ranchers and Federal Lands Out West” Landon Hillukka Mrs. Takkunen April 29, 2024 The conflict between ranchers and federal lands out west has been a contentious issue for decades, with both sides presenting valid arguments. The heart of the matter is the use of public lands for grazing livestock and the management of those lands by the federal government (“Ranchers and the Federal Government: The Long History of Conflict.” ). While ranchers argue that they have a historic right to use the land for grazing, critics argue that this is not a right, but a privilege that has been granted to them by the government (“Public Land Accounts for 29% of the Land Base in the Lower 48, with Much of That Land Concentrated in the West, While 71% of US …show more content…

They argue that they have a deep connection to the land and that grazing is necessary for their livelihood (“Federal Lands of the United States Map”). However, critics believe that the government should be the primary manager of public lands, as they are responsible for ensuring that the land is managed for the public good. The federal government has two agencies responsible for managing public lands in the western United States: the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and the United States Forest Service (USFS). These agencies oversee millions of acres of public land, including land used for grazing. The agencies attempt to balance the needs of the ranchers with those of other stakeholders, such as environmental groups and recreational users. One of the primary issues in this conflict is the fees charged for grazing. Ranchers pay a fee to the federal government for the right to graze their livestock on public lands. The fees are intended to cover the cost of managing the land (“Ranchers and the Federal Government: The Long History of Conflict.” ). However, some ranchers believe that the fees are too

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