Hispanic ranchers in New Mexico cite discrimination in federal grazing lawsuit

*This is a big deal for New Mexico ranchers and for the issue of historic land grants. The ranchers claim the Forest Service is trying to push them from land their families have been working for generations. There are echoes of Reies Tijerina. VL

By Susan Montoya Bryan, Associated Press

ALBUQUERQUE, New Mexico — It’s up to a federal judge to decide whether to let a case move forward in which a group of Hispanic ranchers is suing the U.S. Forest Service over a decision to limit grazing on historic land grant areas in northern New Mexico.

The ranchers claim the agency is discriminating by trying to push them from land that has been worked by their families for centuries.

U.S. District Judge James Browning heard arguments Thursday on a motion by the Forest Service to dismiss the case. He’s expected to make a decision by September.

At stake, ranchers say, is a piece of Hispanic culture and the economic viability of several northern New Mexico communities that depend on access to surrounding lands for everything from grazing to firewood.

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