The mood was genteel but tense as stern-faced ranchers took their seats Friday in the Hunter Center auditorium.
Joining rural county commissioners and three members of Utah's congressional delegation, the ranchers focused their gaze on the man in the blue blazer and open-collared shirt - Interior Secretary Bruce Babbitt, who many people in these parts view as a pariah.They accuse the former Arizona governor of selling out and trying to destroy the traditional way of life in the rural West that six generations have worked hard to create.
Babbitt's primary weapon in this campaign, say the ranchers, is his rangeland reform proposal, which contemplates some sweeping measures, such as doubling or tripling of grazing fees.
Fed up with the rumblings, Gov. Mike Leavitt invited Babbitt to come to Cedar City to hear firsthand from a handpicked group of ranchers and range experts.
The scene prompted Babbitt to quip to Leavitt, "I appreciate your willingness not only to invite me to Utah but your willingness to be seen with me for a whole day."
Babbitt then got an earful about how and whether rangeland management policy should be reformed.
The secretary listened intently but made no promises. He did suggest, however, that if a Colorado experiment is successful, Utah could try to solve federal rangeland issues locally but only if the decisionmaking body is comprised of a variety of interests, from environmentalists to ranchers.
"It'll never fly to say that management decisions on public land can be delegated to one set of stakeholders (such as ranchers)," said Babbitt.
The secretary also told the panel and the audience of about 50 people, mainly ranchers, that he has backed away from his strict stance on range reform after the Senate rejected his reform proposal in a November filibuster.
Babbitt still plans to reform grazing practices administratively. Draft regulations on the reform will be issued sometime in February, followed by a new round of public hearings around the West in the spring.
The panelists Friday hope that Babbitt keeps a few things in mind as he drafts the regulations.
For one thing, public rangelands are in better shape today than they've ever been, according to James Bowns, a range science professor at Southern Utah University.
San Juan County rancher Hardy Redd used some of his time to "lecture" Babbitt about how the reform process has angered ranch-ers.
"It has reduced trust when more than ever, that's what we need," Redd said. "I hope you realize in the long run that it's not wise to run over the top of people."
Redd agreed, however, that "it would be a good thing" to raise fees somewhat, but only if the fees take into account the differences in vegetation and are set by local bureaucrats rather than those in Washington.
Willis Candland, senior vice president of West One Bank, said a tripling of the grazing fee, which is currently $1.86 per animal per month, could result in a net loss of $20 million in the net worth of Utah's ranches.
Grazing fee increases would also reduce profit, a loss that could be devastating to rural communities.
Sen. Bob Bennett, R-Utah, said he believes the grazing fee increase is a regulatory tool and not a means of revenue for the U.S. treasury. As such, he predicted any increases in the grazing fee would actually reduce revenue from the fee because many Western ranchers would not be able to pay it.
The only environmental voices on the panel were those who were not experts in range reform.
Tom Jensen, executive director of the Arizona-based Grand Canyon Trust, told Leavitt that the major Utah environmentalist groups should be involved in these discussions. The Sierra Club, the Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance and the Utah Wilderness Association feel they were snubbed by Leavitt.
Environmental attorney Jeff Appel, whose expertise is water issues, reminded Babbitt that federal lands belong to all Americans and that their use is a privilege, not a right.
In addition to grazing, Babbitt heard Utahns' concerns about public access on federal lands and the desert tortoise controversy in St. George. Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, and Rep. Bill Orton, D-Utah, attended Friday's meetings.
An outspoken Babbitt opponent, Rep. Jim Hansen, R-Utah, was scheduled to be present but was ill.
Babbitt plans to travel to Oregon this weekend and then to Boise on Monday to hear concerns about the grazing proposal.