PLC Offers Shutdown Advice to Public Lands Ranchers

PLC Offers Shutdown Advice to Public Lands Ranchers

Russell Nemetz
Russell Nemetz
The partial government shutdown has left producers holding federal grazing permits with questions regarding spring turnout across the west. After speaking with the Bureau of Land Management and the U.S. Forest Service, the Public Lands Council has been assured permittees will have the ability to turn out on schedule this year - even if the shutdown persists into the spring.

The American Sheep Industry Association is a partner of the Public Lands Council.

The USFS has provided written guidance for regional foresters during the shutdown. Current active grazing allotments are to continue operating. However, allotment inspections will be delayed until funding is restored and normal pre-season meetings with range staff will be put off until funding resumes. The agency is recommending that necessary staff are brought in to prepare, issue and monitor the payments 30 days in advance of the start of grazing. In the coming weeks, the BLM is expected to provide similar guidance instructing livestock turnout, as well.

Like any year, this access is contingent on payment of grazing fees. The 2019 annual grazing fee was set for release this month. However, the partial government shutdown will likely delay the Animal Unit Months and Head Months calculations for the 18,000 grazing permits administered by the BLM and the nearly 6,500 permits administered by the USFS. Permittees should expect to pay the minimum fee of $1.35. Once the government is up and running, fee adjustments will be administered to account for differences in the 2019 fee.

PLC understands ranchers' frustrations during this time. The shutdown leaves the federal lands ranching industry - and all of agriculture - with many uncertainties. However, PLC is confident in the government's ability to fall back on its most basic functions. As regulations and nonessential tasks of the BLM and USFS are set aside, ranchers are left with a simple set of statutory obligations. Providing livestock access to grass on federal land is among the required obligations of these agencies. Producers should have peace of mind of their ability to operate in the coming months.

That being said, it is critical that ranchers demonstrate careful stewardship of these resources. If you do not typically perform comprehensive monitoring on grazing allotments, you should. It is important to record data this season. Take photographs, document conditions and record everything. This will help protect your operation in the event that activist groups file litigation regarding this rightful execution of statutory obligation during the partial shutdown.

As a reminder, the Public Lands Council serves all ranchers with federal grazing permits. If you have questions, concerns or run into any issues with your allotment, please reach out to PLC through its website, www.publiclandscouncil.org.

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