The BLM also has responsibilities, under these leases. I’m betting the BLM did not do hold up their end of the contract - to wit, maintain and improve the graze on the “lease”. The enabling legislation for this program dictates it.
The BLM often sets up no-win scenarios - such as: “we are going to cut your AUMs by 1/3 because the grazing has deteriorated. No, we will not allow you to improve the range, but we will fine you for not improving it.”
Remember the BLM took control of these lands under the condition that they maintain and improve the range for grazing. If they aren’t doing that, they have no right to control that land any longer.
Do you have evidence of that or is it just speculation?
The BLM often sets up no-win scenarios - such as: "we are going to cut your AUMs by 1/3 because the grazing has deteriorated. No, we will not allow you to improve the range, but we will fine you for not improving it."
Nobody's range was cut here. The Hammonds lit fires, either to burn off invasive vegetation (their story) or the cover an illegal deer hunt (fed story). Regardless of the reason the fire got out of control and endangered the safety of some firefighters who were battling another wildfire. They were charged and convicted. I don't see where BLM action or inaction enters into it.
Remember the BLM took control of these lands under the condition that they maintain and improve the range for grazing. If they aren’t doing that, they have no right to control that land any longer.
The BLM took control of the land because they are federal lands and the BLM is the agency in charge of managing them. In none of the stories I've read did the Hammonds, or anyone else, claim they were being denied grazing rights. So if I've missed something then please enlighten me.
Unless were looking at the contract between the BLM and the ranchers we can only speculate. Were I to lease a part of our ranch I’m under no obligation for improvements. Not only that but your not doing anything other than running the amount of cows we agree on. If you don’t control the head count a leaser will over graze one quick then just move to another ranch when his lease runs out. If you don’t like the rules don’t lease.