Grazing Act Passed in House

A bill that will improve the livestock grazing permitting process on lands managed by the BLM and US. Forest Service passed the U.S. House of Representatives earlier this month. Public Lands Council Executive Director Dustin Van Liew shares more about this bill.

Van Liew: “So the bill is important in multiple ways in that it would extend the term of grazing periods from 10 to 20 years. It would also allow for environmental analysis to take place on multiple allotments as opposed to one permit or allotment at a time as currently exists. It also would require or the categorical exclusion or the reduction of the need of full environmental analysis on allotments where current grazing management or the same terms and conditions are continuing. Finally it exempts multiple practices that are timed honored practices like trailing and crossing or implementation of range improvements from the NEPA process which is just another wasteful process that the agencies go through at this time.”

Van Liew praises the hard work of Idaho’s Senator Labrador in getting this legislation through the House. He adds

Van Liew: “Also of note on the house floor, there were a couple of amendments that were offered and accepted by the house. One that was offered by Senator Labrador who has led this bill that would require non-directly affected parties to pay legal fees if they challenge grazing decisions and failed in court.”