ProPublica, in collaboration with High Country News, investigated how political clout helps ranchers in the West dodge oversight of livestock grazing on public lands. Here’s what you need to know:
Powerful Friends: Well-placed allies, from U.S. senators to county officials, give ranchers leverage against regulators. They’ve sometimes pushed for fewer consequences for rule breakers.
Chilling Regulators: Multiple current or former Bureau of Land Management and Forest Service employees told us that ranchers’ influential allies make enforcement of grazing regulations politically fraught.
The Most Influential Ally: Trump is increasing support for ranching and appointing individuals sympathetic to the industry, including some who’ve sued over the enforcement of grazing regulations.
The Interior Department and BLM said in a statement that “any policy decisions are made in accordance with federal law and are designed to balance economic opportunity with conservation responsibilities across the nation’s public lands.” The Forest Service and ranchers did not respond to requests for comment.
