Resiliency for Ranching Act

Summary#

This bill adds a new Section 405 to Title IV of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act. It lets the Secretary of Agriculture (for National Forest System land) and the Secretary of the Interior (for public lands) temporarily make vacant grazing allotments available to holders of grazing permits or leases when the holders' regular allotments are temporarily unusable because of unforeseen natural events or disasters. Examples named in the bill include extreme weather, drought, wildfire, infestation, or blight.

The agency must decide that the vacant allotment is appropriate for temporary grazing. When setting terms and conditions for the temporary use, the agency must consider the most recent terms for that vacant allotment, or if none are available, consider conditions of nearby allotments and local ecological conditions. The agency must also consider prior agreements that resolved management conflicts, including conflicts over wildlife. The agency may allow temporary rangeland improvements such as portable corrals, fences, aboveground pipelines, and water troughs.

The two Secretaries are to coordinate to make vacant allotments available regardless of agency jurisdiction, to the maximum extent practicable. Temporary use does not change the original permit or lease terms, the permit holder's ability to return to their original allotment, or the animal unit months in future authorizations. The agency determines how long the temporary use lasts, based on the vacant allotment's condition and how long the original allotment needs to recover.

The bill requires the agencies to issue guidelines within one year describing how to carry out these actions. The guidelines may set criteria for suitability, eligibility, prioritizing nearby permit holders, livestock class changes, coordination processes, and other steps to speed up emergency access. The agencies must also periodically evaluate land health of vacant allotments to help implement the section.

What it means for you#

• If you hold a federal grazing permit or lease and your allotment becomes unusable because of an extreme natural event, this bill could allow you temporary access to a vacant federal grazing allotment, if the agency approves it.
• Temporary use will be limited by terms set by the agency that must consider local ecological conditions and prior allotment terms. Agencies may allow temporary fences, water troughs, and other portable improvements.
• The temporary use will not change your original permit terms, your priority to return to the original allotment, or the animal unit months used in future authorizations.
• The agencies must publish guidelines within one year and will regularly check the health of vacant allotments.

Expenses#

No publicly available information.

Proponents' View#

The bill's title and text state its purpose is to improve management of grazing permits and leases and allow temporary access to vacant grazing allotments during extreme natural events and disasters.

Opponents' View#

No publicly available information.