Washington, DC (July 12, 2018) Today in the House Natural Resource Committee, Members of Congress heard from expert witnesses about the positive affects of livestock grazing on federal lands. Congressman Pearce released the following statement in reflection upon this committee hearing.
 
"Today's hearing at Federal Lands was a great opportunity to bring to light a growing problem throughout the Western United States. For us in New Mexico, we have numerous issues with the Bureau of Land Management and Forest Services attempting to fringe on allotment owners water rights by using a very bureaucratic process to force ranchers off of their lands or reduce their number of livestock. These actions threaten businesses and livelihoods, in some cases forcing ranchers to sell off their allotments, crushing jobs and hurting revenues in rural counties." Pearce said.

"After the hearing, it is clear the federal agencies must do more to promote and protect rural ranchers. The federal government should be working to support a key American industry. This includes working to preserve and grow livestock grazing on federal lands, which supports job growth, creates more revenues for counties, and increases conservation efforts. These are only a few of the great benefits we see for allowing responsible grazing on federal lands."