Lawsuit says feds failed to keep cattle out of protected Arizona wildlife habitat

Conservation groups have sued two federal agencies, saying stray cattle are damaging endangered species habitat along the upper Verde River that is supposed to be off-limits to grazing.

The Center for Biological Diversity and Maricopa Bird Alliance filed the lawsuit Oct. 6 in a Tucson federal court against the U.S. Forest Service and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

“Neglect by Prescott National Forest officials is forcing us to go to court again to ensure they meet their duties under the Endangered Species Act,” Chris Bugbee, a senior conservation advocate with the center, said in a statement. “The groups say stray cattle from six grazing allotments in the Prescott National Forest are damaging riverside habitat for three protected species: the western yellow-billed cuckoo, the narrow-headed garter snake and a native fish called the spikedace.”

What the group is hoping to fix in the Verde River lawsuit

Center biologists surveyed nearly 34 miles of the river this year. They found that about 40% of it was moderately or significantly damaged by cattle.

The groups want the agencies to stop grazing in the area until a fuller review is finished.

In a June letter cited in the lawsuit, the Forest Service acknowledged that cattle sometimes reach the river. But it said those animals are there without permission, so they fall outside the grazing program it is required to review.

It is the second time the groups have sued over the issue.

A 2020 lawsuit ended in a settlement requiring the Forest Service to monitor the area, remove stray cattle and repair fences for three years. That agreement expired in 2024.

“The Verde River is too important to people and native wildlife to be repeatedly damaged by cows that shouldn’t be there in the first place,” Bugbee said.

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