Changes Coming for National Monuments Out West
BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) — Hispanic ranchers from New Mexico who met with U.S. Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke while he gathered information about national monuments say they're encouraged that the changes could help them get more grazing and water rights.
The ranchers spoke after Zinke told The Associated Press he was recommending unspecified changes for some of the monuments he reviewed but not recommending the elimination of any of them.
Dave Sanchez of the Northern New Mexico Stockmen's Association say the monument designations allow grazing but that federal land managers change priorities for the land and push ranchers out.
He says Zinke was receptive to ranchers' concerns when he met with them last month.