ISSUES AND POLICY
TSCRA Supports Red River Private Property Protection Act
P
ETE BONDS, RANCHER AND PRESIDENT OF TEXAS AND SOUTH- western Cattle Raisers Association (TSCRA), com-
mented on behalf of the association on the December 2015 passage of H.R. 2130, the Red River Private Property Protection Act, by the U.S. House of Representatives. Rep. Mac Thornberry championed the Act. “For years, the U.S. Bureau of Land Management
has been claiming ownership of land that belongs to private property owners along the Red River,” said Bonds. “This is completely absurd, especially when you consider the fact that these citizens hold the deeds to this land and have paid taxes and successfully man- aged it for years. ”I am pleased that the Red River Private Property
Protection Act was passed in the House to help put this issue to rest. This legislation requires the BLM to sur- vey the land in question using methods backed by the Supreme Court to fi nd the proper gradient boundary. Since the BLM is claiming land up to a mile south of the proper boundary set by the Supreme Court in the 1920s, I am sure the BLM is hesitant to perform surveys
STAKEHOLDER NEWS
NCBA Urges House to Support Disapproval of WOTUS
T
Philip Ellis, NCBA President
HE NATIONAL CATTLEMEN’S BEEF ASSOCIATION (NCBA) AND PUBLIC LANDS COUNCIL, ALONG with 42 state affi liate organizations, sent a letter in early January to the House
of Representatives urging support of Senate Joint Resolution 22, disapproval of the EPA and Army Corps’ “Waters of the United States” rule. NCBA President Philip Ellis said withdrawal or defunding of WOTUS remains a top priority for cattlemen. “The WOTUS rule is one of the most onerous land grabs undertaken by any
regulator,” said Ellis. “The WOTUS rule extends beyond Congressional intent and would affect not only ranchers, but every land use stakeholder nationwide. This rule is not about preserving our nation’s resources; it’s about an overzealous regu- latory administration.” In November 2015, the Senate voted 53-44 in bi-partisan support of S.J. Res. 22.
Since that time, the Government Accountability Offi ce (GAO) released their legal opinion fi nding that the EPA violated federal law by engaging in covert propaganda and grassroots lobbying in support of the WOTUS rule. “Both chambers of Congress have acted in a bi-partisan way to block the WOTUS
rule,” said Ellis. “With the GAO’s confi rmation of the fl aws in the rulemaking pro- cess and illegal actions by the EPA, it is time to withdraw this rule. Ranchers have been spared from the effect of this rule through a temporary stay by the courts, but it’s time for Congress to act.”
tscra.org February 2016 The Cattleman 97
because they know the land doesn’t rightfully belong to the federal government. “The President announced he will veto this legisla-
tion if it makes it to his desk. This is becoming routine and further proves that the administration is forcefully pushing their bureaucratic land grab agenda. “TSCRA appreciates Rep. Mac Thornberry and Sen.
John Cornyn for crafting this legislation and listening to our members and other landowners concerns on this is- sue. We encourage the Senate to swiftly consider this bill to help preserve private property rights,” Bonds said.
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92 |
Page 93 |
Page 94 |
Page 95 |
Page 96 |
Page 97 |
Page 98 |
Page 99 |
Page 100 |
Page 101 |
Page 102 |
Page 103 |
Page 104 |
Page 105 |
Page 106 |
Page 107 |
Page 108 |
Page 109 |
Page 110 |
Page 111 |
Page 112 |
Page 113 |
Page 114 |
Page 115 |
Page 116