Livestock Grazing on Lands Managed by the Bureau of Land Management and the Forest Service: Frequently Asked Questions

Nearly all livestock grazing on federal lands occurs on lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), in the Department of the Interior, or the Forest Service (FS), in the Department of Agriculture. Of the estimated 244 million acres of land managed by BLM, approximately 155 million acres are available for livestock grazing. Of the estimated 193 million acres managed by FS, approximately 93 million are available for livestock grazing. Various laws, regulations, and policies govern BLM and FS livestock operations. For BLM, pertinent authorities include provisions of the Taylor Grazing Act of 1934 (43 U.S.C. §315b, §315m), Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (43 U.S.C. §§1701 et seq.), and Public Rangelands Improvement Act of 1978 (43 U.S.C. §§1901 et seq.) and regulations at 43 C.F.R. Part 4100, among others. For FS, pertinent authorities include 16 U.S.C. §580l, 16 U.S.C. §1604, and regulations at 36 C.F.R. Part 222, among others. Both agencies divide areas of their lands into allotments to provide access for private livestock grazing. Most livestock grazing on BLM and FS lands occurs in 16 contiguous western states: Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Kansas, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming. BLM and FS issue permits and/or leases (collectively, permits) to livestock operators that specify the terms and conditions for grazing. To qualify for a permit, a livestock operator must meet certain criteria relating to livestock and base property, among other criteria. Permits generally cover a 10-year period and may be renewed. Management of federal rangelands for livestock grazing presents an array of policy questions for Congress. Some specific questions include the following: How do BLM and FS determine which lands are available for livestock grazing? What is an allotment? What is an allotment management plan? What type of livestock may be grazed? What types of grazing permits are available? What types of entities may request a grazing permit? What are the eligibility requirements to obtain a BLM or FS term grazing permit? Can grazing permits be transferred? Can terms and conditions of grazing permits be changed? Do permittees have to graze on their allotments? What is a range improvement? How can range improvements be made? How is the grazing fee determined? What is an example of how the grazing fee is calculated? In addition to the grazing fee, are there costs specific to livestock grazing on BLM and FS lands?