BOISE, Idaho -- A federal judge has ruled that the U.S. Bureau of Land Management violated federal laws in issuing grazing permits without first conducting needed assessments on five allotments in southwestern Idaho analyzing how grazing could harm sage grouse.
The decision Monday by U.S. District Judge B. Lynn Winmill also begins the second round of a lawsuit by the environmental organization Western Watersheds Project that plans to challenge other BLM grazing allotments spread across southern Idaho.
Attorney Todd Tucci represented Western Watersheds and says the group may seek an injunction to prevent grazing on the five allotments if the BLM doesn't respond adequately to Winmill's decision.
BLM spokeswoman Jessica Gardetto tells The Times-News that Winmill's ruling fits with how the BLM is currently assessing grazing impacts on sage grouse habitat.
