politics
Legal Action Seeks to Block Plan to Open 24 Million Acres of Federal Land to Cattle Grazing
A new legal action aims to prevent a Trump administration plan to open up to 24 million acres of federal lands to cattle grazing. The proposal includes parts of Grand Canyon National Park and other sensitive landscapes. Opponents say the change would harm wildlife and protected species.
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A new legal action seeks to prevent a Trump administration plan to open up to 24 million acres of federal lands to cattle grazing. The proposal includes parts of Grand Canyon National Park and other sensitive landscapes. Opponents said the plan prioritizes agriculture and could increase deaths among wolves, grizzlies, steelhead salmon and other wildlife already at risk.
Cattle grazing can remove vegetation that provides essential habitat. It can also add feces, urine, sediment and carcasses to streams. Ranchers and park rangers have killed grizzly bears and other predators that attack cattle placed in their habitat.
Opponents stated that opening the lands would affect species that rely on the areas for survival. The legal filing aims to stop the plan before it takes effect. Federal lands involved include zones currently restricted from grazing. The administration has not released a full schedule for implementing the proposal.
The legal action argues the plan would cause irreversible damage to protected ecosystems. Conservation groups filed the case to require further environmental review.
