Otero County Commissioners instruct sheriff to unlock U.S. Forest Service gates

By Janessa Maxilom

jmaxilom@alamogordonews.com @janessa_speaks on Twitter

John BearDaily News Otero County Cattleman's Association President Gary Stone takes a question during a presentation about fencing in the Lincoln National Forest on Monday at a meeting of the Otero County Commission. Behind him is a photograph of disputed fencing in the forest.

Otero County Commissioners instructed the county sheriff to unlock U.S. Forest Service fences in the mountains on Monday.

During a commission meeting to discuss the Forest Service's alleged illegal fencing activities within the county the commission and ranchers decided the USFS should unlock some of its fence gates to allow cattle easier access to water in the region.

District 1 Commissioner Tommie Harrell asked Forest Service Supervisor, Travis Moseley, to unlock a few gates to allow cattle easier access to water. Moseley replied with a simple no to Herrell's request.

"Now the procurement is since they won't, then we've instructed Sheriff Benny House to unlock those fences," Herrell said. "And we'll do this by court order."

According to Herrell, House is being ordered to unlock four gates to two enclosed areas near the Agua Chiquita riparian area. The order was issued on the heels of the commission's recent request for the USFS to halt fencing projects in April.

In April, the commission issued a cease and desist illegal fencing activities letter to the U.S. Forest Service.

During Monday's meeting, Moseley replied to the commission's letter with his own letter.

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Otero County Commissioners instruct sheriff to unlock U.S. Forest Service gates