Wyoming ranchers see meddling in grazing permits

Wyoming ranchers say an Idaho-based environmental group has too much influence over how local grazing allotments are managed on public lands. Ranchers complained to federal land managers about the Western Watersheds Project at last week's Wyoming Stock Growers Association annual convention. Association executive vice president Jim Magagna says decisions about how to graze individual allotments should be between the rancher with the valid permit and the federal agency that has jurisdiction over the land. But Jonathon Ratner of the Western Watersheds Wyoming office says his organization is getting involved to make sure laws and regulations are being followed on grazing allotments. Ratner says what a rancher feels is the proper way to manage grazing on public lands is generally not the proper way.