Heritage Waters Coaltion Commends Rep. Troy Nehls for Efforts to End Cattle Shooting in National Forests
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Rep. Troy Nehls Secures Amendment Victory to End Cattle Shooting in National Forests
SILVER CITY, NM (November 7, 2023) - In a commendable act of legislative responsibility, the House of Representatives has voiced its unanimous support for an amendment introduced by Representative Troy Nehls (R-TX-22) to H.R. 4821, The Department of the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act. This amendment, adopted by voice vote, notably prohibits the use of federal funds for the shooting of cattle in the Gila National Forest or other National Forests – a practice that has been widely criticized for its cruelty and environmental repercussions.
The approval of this amendment marks a significant step forward in ensuring that federal funds are channeled towards humane and environmentally conscious practices. It echoes the concerns raised by Drew Lesofski, Executive Director of the Heritage Waters Coalition, regarding the U.S. Forest Service's approach to cattle management within our nation's forests.
"As we have seen in the past, the indiscriminate culling of cattle via aerial gunning poses serious risks to our ecosystems," stated Lesofski. "The decaying carcasses can lead to the contamination of water sources, which is a detriment to the native wildlife that relies on these resources. Representative Nehls's amendment is a testament to the kind of leadership that prioritizes ethical environmental stewardship."
It is of particular note that this amendment stands in stark contrast to the silence from New Mexico's federal delegation, who did not advocate against the unnecessary and inhumane cattle cull. Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham's opposition to the cull highlights the divide between state leadership and other federal representatives who have yielded to the pressures of radical anti-public grazing environmental groups.
H.R. 4821, The Department of the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, outlines stringent measures to rein in government spending, prioritize critical public safety funding, and ensure the proper management of our nation's natural resources. The bill has been carefully crafted to address the programmatic needs of various agencies while curtailing funding for low-priority programs.
Representative Nehls's amendment stands as a beacon of responsible governance, ensuring that the act of preserving our national forests does not come at the cost of ethical standards. The Heritage Waters Coalition applauds this move and encourages other members of Congress to follow in the footsteps of such commendable actions.
H.R. 4821 successfully passed the House with a vote of 213 to 203 and represents a significant shift towards fiscal responsibility and environmental conservation, setting a benchmark for future appropriations acts.
The Heritage Waters Coalition remains committed to its mission of protecting western property and water rights and upholding the principles of responsible environmental management.
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Heritage Waters Coalition, a 501(3)c Non-Profit Organization
