FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
July 29, 2014
CONTACT: Laramie Adams
Cell: 512-922-7328

Fort Worth, Texas – The Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association (TSCRA) today announced their support of H.R. 4979, the Red River Private Property Protection Act, authored by Rep. Mac Thornberry (TX-13). The legislation provides legal certainty for landowners along the Red River.  

TSCRA submitted a letter of support for the record at a U.S. House Natural Resources Committee, Subcommittee on Public Lands and Environmental Regulation legislative hearing that was held today.  

“TSCRA strongly supports H.R. 4979, the Red River Private Property Protection Act,” said TSCRA president Pete Bonds. “This legislation would save landowners legal expenses regarding property they have owned for years along the Red River. TSCRA opposes any federal control or management of land on the Texas side of the Red River and is concerned that such control will take away the long held and legally established private property rights of Texas landowners. TSCRA is pleased H.R. 4979 was discussed in a hearing today, and we urge the committee to move forward with this legislation. We must make certain this issue is resolved and Texas landowners are provided with the certainty they deserve.” 

TSCRA supports H.R. 4979 because it directs the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to relinquish and transfer quit claim deeds to landowners who can prove ownership through official state and county records. Additionally, it prevents the BLM from including any privately owned acres in a Resource Management Plan.  

To read the letter TSCRA submitted to the Subcommittee on Public Lands and Environmental Regulation, click on the attached document. 07-29-14 TSCRA HR 4979 Letter (2) 

###

TSCRA is a 137-year-old trade association and is the largest and oldest livestock organization based in Texas. TSCRA has more than 16,000 beef cattle operations, ranching families and businesses as members. These members represent approximately 50,000 individuals directly involved in ranching and beef production who manage 4 million head of cattle on 76 million acres of range and pasture land primarily in Texas and Oklahoma, but throughout the Southwest.