May 24, 2014 Letter to the Elko Daily Free Press from John E. Neff Dear Editor, I’ve read with great interest and increasing alarm what has been going on with the Argenta BLM allotment owned primarily by Pete Tomera. I would like to remind everyone that the grass that is in question is owned by Pete Tomera not the BLM. His grazing permit gives him ownership of the grass on the BLM ground, just like a mining company owns the minerals with a mining permit. He has bought and paid for the grass on his private ground. He pays the railroad a lease fee for the grass on the railroad ground. In the state of Nevada there is a crime defined as Grand Larceny of an automobile. An automobile valued at $3500.00 or more that is stolen is considered grand larceny (or theft) and is punishable by up to a $10,000.00 fine and prison confinement from 1 to 10 years. It appears to me that the BLM manager in Battle Mountain has committed “Grand Theft of Grass”. He has in effect taken all of Pete Tomera’s grass in the Argenta allotment without Pete’s permission. This crime is costing the Tomera family and others involved far more than a whole fleet of new Cadillacs would be worth. Having had experience the last 42 years with the legal system the BLM operates under I have found that people such as Mr. Furtado are well insulated from a fair trial. A BLM Administrative law judge (paid for by the BLM) decides whether or not a BLM manager has acted in an “Arbitrary and Capricious” manner. The net result is a slap on the wrist and a reprimand. Obviously the grass will be long gone and the Tomera family will be out of business before there will be a chance for a fair trial in a real court by Pete Tomera’s peers. I have talked to many people the last few weeks about this problem and every one of them asks, in effect, “How can that be in America, the land of the Free?” They are incredulous that the government has such power to destroy a man’s livelihood. One long term friend and neighbor says, “The government has gone amok – they want to control everything.” It appears that Mr. Furtado has a personal vendetta against Pete and is determined to destroy his ranching operation. Otherwise, why would he have ignored the recommendations of other BLM employees to graze the allotment? I would like to remind Mr. Furtado that he is on trial – not Pete Tomera. Mr. Furtado’s trial is in the Court of Public Opinion. In light of the Grass Tour that was conducted last Saturday it is obvious to anyone that attended that the Argenta allotment is in good shape and is quite different than what may have been the case in February when Mr. Furtado made his decision to eliminate 100% of the grazing this year due to drought conditions. It’s time for Mr. Furtado to change his mind commensurate with the increase in forage production. If no change is made then the Court of Public Opinion hereby charges Mr. Furtado with “Grand Theft of Grass” in the Pete Tomera case. He is also charged with “Dereliction of Duty” in ignoring the imminent risk of wildfire. Smoked Bear has well documented the direct correlation of the catastrophic increase in wildfire in the state of Nevada with reduced grazing. I read an article a number of years ago by a writer who observed that the spirit of freedom in America is like holding mercury or quicksilver in your hand. The tighter you squeeze the mercury the more of it escapes. The Heavy Hand of Government needs to be lifted off of Pete’s family. What is being done is not fair, it’s not right, and it needs to be changed. The Tomera family is a long time ranching family in northern Nevada that is well known, well liked, and well respected. They are serious about their ranching business and take good care of their land and livestock. I am in full support of defending Pete.
Posted on: Sat, 24 May 2014 22:57:38 +0000
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