Do you have evidence of that or is it just speculation?
The BLM often sets up no-win scenarios - such as: "we are going to cut your AUMs by 1/3 because the grazing has deteriorated. No, we will not allow you to improve the range, but we will fine you for not improving it."
Nobody's range was cut here. The Hammonds lit fires, either to burn off invasive vegetation (their story) or the cover an illegal deer hunt (fed story). Regardless of the reason the fire got out of control and endangered the safety of some firefighters who were battling another wildfire. They were charged and convicted. I don't see where BLM action or inaction enters into it.
Remember the BLM took control of these lands under the condition that they maintain and improve the range for grazing. If they aren’t doing that, they have no right to control that land any longer.
The BLM took control of the land because they are federal lands and the BLM is the agency in charge of managing them. In none of the stories I've read did the Hammonds, or anyone else, claim they were being denied grazing rights. So if I've missed something then please enlighten me.
I’ve yet to see the contract between him and the BLM so most of what people are say is speculation. I also find it hard to believe that the BLM has left themselves obligated to improve grazing, as a rancher I’d never do that.
There was invasive plants encroaching on the land - this tells us a couple of things: carrying capacity is reduced, the BLM did not do their job in maintaining the range.
Research the BLM enabling legislation, maintaining the range is what they are supposed to do.
the federal government and the BLM took control of the land by an act of Congress - in that act of Congress, the BLM is mandated to manage, maintain and improve the grazing land.
BLM rarely does a good job of this and they are very quick to threaten the permit holders with fines, permit reductions or revocation - and it is a source of considerable friction.
There has obviously been a great deal of friction for awhile in this case; there is no reporting about that - but some of us can figure out some of the reasons.