S1942-119

What This Bill Does

This bill establishes a new land management program on federal lands in Malheur County, Oregon. The goal is to improve long-term ecological health by giving grazing permit holders more flexibility in how they manage their livestock.

Who Benefits and How

The primary beneficiaries are the ranchers who hold grazing permits or leases on these federal lands. They will gain increased operational flexibility, such as adjusting grazing seasons and water sources with less red tape. This can help them better respond to changing environmental conditions like droughts or fires, which could improve their livelihoods.

Who Bears the Burden and How

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) will have additional responsibilities to develop alternatives for grazing management plans in consultation with various stakeholders, including ranchers, local tribes, and other agencies. This means more work and potentially higher administrative costs for the BLM. Taxpayers may also bear some of these costs through increased federal spending on monitoring and managing these lands.

Key Provisions

• Increased Flexibility: Ranchers can adjust grazing seasons and water sources with less bureaucracy.
• Consultation Requirement: The Secretary must consult with ranchers, local tribes, and other stakeholders when developing new grazing management plans.
• Adaptability to Conditions: Ranchers can request variances in their permits due to significant changes like weather or drought, allowing them to adjust grazing periods within a 14-day window before or after the original dates.
• Monitoring Plans: The BLM must adopt monitoring plans to track ecological health and allow for adjustments based on new data.