Could More Federal Grazing Be on the Horizon for California Ranchers?
Could California ranchers see more grazing opportunities on federal lands?
Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins is calling attention to a directive issued back in June that could affect ranchers holding U.S. Forest Service grazing permits.
The directive calls for restoring grazing capacity on National Forest System lands, addressing vacant and closed allotments, and reducing administrative barriers.
Now, in a letter sent to permit holders nationwide, Rollins is outlining how ranchers can work with Forest Service officials to put those goals into practice on their individual allotments.
The directive sets a nationwide goal of restoring at least 500,000 head-months of grazing capacity within two years.
For California ranchers, where wildfire, drought, and federal land management decisions can affect grazing access, the effort could have practical implications.
Now, there's a lot to unpack here. Federal directives, supporting documents, and links to even more information. And none of this guarantees additional grazing access.
But if you're a Forest Service grazing permit holder, it may be worth digging into the details to see what could apply to your operation.
Rollins directs ranchers to USDA.gov/ranchers-first for more information. Grazing-specific questions can also be sent to grazing@usda.gov.
