PINEDALE - The Sublette County Commission agreed this week to join local cattlemen in defending the federal government's position to allow state-administered elk feedgrounds on federal lands in western Wyoming.

Pinedale-area ranchers Jon Boroff and Albert Sommers spoke to commissioners Tuesday to request support for defending against a legal challenge to the state's elk feedground program. The commission was blunt in its agreement to support the ranching industry in defending the feedgrounds, agreeing to contribute to the legal fund as well as expressing interest in becoming intervenors in the case.

In February, environmental groups filed a lawsuit in federal court against the U.S. Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management challenging the authorization for elk feedgrounds on federal lands in western Wyoming. The lawsuit also targets facilities built to capture elk at the Muddy Creek feedground in Sublette County as part of a program to test the animals for brucellosis and kill those that test positive.

Filing the lawsuit were the Greater Yellowstone Coalition, Jackson Hole Conservation Alliance and the Wyoming Outdoor Council. The lawsuit argues that authorization for the elk feedground facilities should be subject to environmental analysis under the National Environmental Policy Act.

The Green River Valley Cattle Association has contributed $5,000 to defend the feedground program, according to Boroff and Sommers, who suggested that the commission match that amount.

"I'd be willing to do that," Commissioner Bill Cramer of Bondurant said.

The Wyoming Stock Growers Association is leading the industry defense of the lawsuit, and is apparently being joined by outfitting interests as well.

Commissioner John Linn of Big Piney said he "can't think of what could affect Sublette County more than eliminating the feedgrounds," and suggested that perhaps the commission should take a more active role in the lawsuit by intervening.

"This is going to be a big fight," Linn said, adding that with so many of the state's 22 feedgrounds located in Sublette County, "This is the battleground right here."