Dear Colorado Cattlemen’s Association, Public Lands Council and the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association,

Editor’s Note: This Feb. 22 letter is a response to the Colorado Cattlemen’s Association, Public Lands Council and National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, released following letters on federal grazing allotments from PLC and a coalition of lawyers. The following letter was originally printed in “The Westerner” blog at thewesterner.blogspot.com.

Dear Colorado Cattlemen’s Association, Public Lands Council and the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association,

It has just been brought to my attention that your organizations, the Public Lands Council (PLC), Colorado Cattlemen’s Association (CCA) and the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA), filed a joint objection to my involvement with the Range Allotment Owners Association (RAO).

From my years and observation, I’d have to agree with your collective claim, “Public Lands Council is the only organization in Washington, D.C. who solely represents the 22,000 ranchers who operate on public lands.”

Please understand, though, that as a Range Allotment Owner, PLC doesn’t represent me. And because I couldn’t find an entity that does protect property right on range allotments, I helped co-found RAO.

RAO is only concerned about the property rights of range allotment owners. PLC represents ranchers on public lands. These two needs are wholly different.

I like to exercise in preventative maintenance by resolving situations before they get out of hand and end up in court. RAO is an essential form of preventative maintenance.

Due to the vast difference between RAO and PLC, it is my assessment that the PLC should be relieved they don’t have to add another department beyond their long-standing representation of the public on public lands.

Now you know why I enthusiastically co-founded the Range Allotment Owners Association. Thank you in advance for supporting my endeavor to protect my property rights on my range allotments.

Sincerely,

Charles W. Sylvester

Ranch Owner and retired general manager of the National Western Stock Show

LaSalle, Colo.