HR6300-119

What This Bill Does

This bill clarifies grazing lease and permit authority for national grasslands. It amends section 402(a) of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act by replacing the phrase "lands within National Forests" with "National Forest System land," using the definition in the Forest and Rangeland Renewable Resources Planning Act. The effect is to make clear that national grasslands, which are part of the National Forest System, are eligible for grazing leases and permits under section 402.

The bill also includes a savings clause. It says the amendment does not modify or affect any other FLPMA provision as applied to national grasslands, title III of the Bankhead-Jones Farm Tenant Act, or section 11 of the Public Rangelands Improvement Act. That means the bill targets grazing-permit eligibility rather than broadly rewriting national-grassland management law.

Who Benefits and How

Ranchers near national grasslands benefit from clearer authority for grazing permits and leases on national grassland acreage. Livestock producers benefit if permit eligibility reduces uncertainty around continued grazing access. Cattle ranching businesses benefit from more stable forage planning on National Forest System grasslands. U.S. Forest Service rangeland staff benefit from clearer statutory wording when administering grazing permits. Rural communities near national grasslands benefit if livestock operations retain access to federal grazing lands that support local agricultural activity.

Who Bears the Burden and How

U.S. Forest Service rangeland staff must apply the clarified FLPMA section 402 authority to national grassland grazing permits and leases. Conservation groups monitoring national grasslands must track grazing decisions under the clarified eligibility rule. Ranchers holding permits must still comply with permit terms, fees, allotment management, and other applicable grassland rules. Federal land managers must preserve the separate requirements of FLPMA, the Bankhead-Jones Farm Tenant Act, and the Public Rangelands Improvement Act. Communities concerned about grazing impacts may face continued or expanded grazing use on national grasslands.

Key Provisions

• Modifies FLPMA section 402(a) by replacing lands within National Forests with National Forest System land.
• Provides that national grasslands are eligible for grazing leases and permits under the clarified wording.
• Provides a savings clause preserving other FLPMA provisions for national grasslands.
• Provides that the bill does not modify title III of the Bankhead-Jones Farm Tenant Act.
• Provides that the bill does not modify section 11 of the Public Rangelands Improvement Act.