So many idiotic things in your comment. The Hammonds were convicted of starting fires to cover their illegal poaching. The Bundy’s have illegally grazed cattle on public lands. The latter reject the authority of the US government. They incited and participated in armed insurrection against the US. They are just as bad as Islamic terrorists, BLM, and others that threaten the US. I really don’t see the difference—flame me. I served in the US military, I respect and cherish the US, our Constitution, our laws, and our lands. Right or wrong this is our country. So when idiots come along and reject it, take arms against it, call on others to do the same, they are scum. Lucky to be alive and just in jail, rather than buried or in Gitmo. And I love our public lands—here in Nevada, for example, 82% is public and accessible. I cherish that. If the Bundy’s want to use our public lands, they can pay the applicable costs, not steal it. No amount of political posturing, hugging the Bible, and all changes the fact these folks raised arms against the US, rejected the authority of the US.
But as I understand it, all this burning and grazing has been going on for many, many years, which ... if so ..... what's so special about NOW being a time to prosecute something that has been part of ranch life forever ?
You appear to discount the fact that the use of it was stolen from them by the passage of laws with exactly that intent. And that any fees paid will only enable more of the same. And, costs? What do they spend, other than wages for employees to make sure nobody uses the land?