USDA Proposes Changes to Federal Grazing Permit Rules

(NAFB.com) USDA is proposing changes to federal grazing rules aimed at simplifying permit requirements and making fees more consistent for ranchers using national forests and grasslands. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins and Interior Secretary Doug Burgum announced the proposed rule, which covers grazing permits, eligibility requirements, and fee-setting across 16 western states. USDA says the changes would better align Forest Service regulations with those used by the Bureau of Land Management, helping ranchers who operate on both types of federal land. The Forest Service allows livestock grazing on nearly 40 percent of the 193 million acres it manages. USDA says grazing on those lands supports approximately 14,200 jobs and contributes 645 million dollars to the nation s economy annually. The proposal will be published in the Federal Register November 12th, opening a 30-day public comment period.