010827 Judge Halts Sale of Some CattleAugust 11, 2001Fallon, NV - The Bureau of Land Management failed to auction off cattle seized in a grazing dispute after a judge blocked the sale of some cattle and bidders refused to make offers on the rest. The judge's order was delivered to the auction yard just moments before the BLM was to begin selling 62 head of cattle confiscated from rancher Ben Colvin. The bureau confiscated cattle owned by Colvin and Jack Vogt because the ranchers allegedly overgrazed tens of thousands of acres of federal range without a permit. Federal officials say the two owe a combined $370,000 in fines and fees. The dispute has gained attention from many people in the area who say the federal government is intruding on the ranchers' rights. Vogt's 78 head of cattle were put up for auction as scheduled Tuesday, but there were no bidders. “I don't think people wanted the hassle,” said Gary Snow, owner of the auction yard. The cattle offered at the auction were paraded through an auction barn with about 80 people on hand. Instead of bids, the BLM heard boos and shouts of “don't buy the cattle” from people who have sided with the ranchers. Demonstrators handed out fliers saying the cattle “have been taken without warrant or due process of law.” Colvin scrambled to come up with $10,000 that District Judge Robert Estes said was needed to compensate the feedlot owner for the delay. Estes set a hearing for Aug. 21 to decide whether the cattle can be sold eventually. Estes said in his temporary restraining order that there is “some evidence” that the BLM “may not have followed administrative procedure.” He did not elaborate.
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