AGRICULTURE »» FACTORY RANCHING »» FEDERAL LANDS GRAZING »» Nov 27, 2023

The Forrest Service and the Bureau of Land Management administer our public lands grazing program. This program allows 3% of our nation's cattle, horses, goats and sheep to graze on public lands including our national parks. This arrangement mostly benefits large commercial ranching operations, or about 2% of all our ranchers. Fees collected from these ranchers do not cover the cost of administering the grazing program. Not counting the damage done to ecosystems, the annual cost to taxpayers of this program is estimated to be about $100 million. Expired grazing permits are usually renewed automatically without financial or environmental review. Grazing opponents cite substantial environmental damage caused by grazing, saying low fees encourage misuse. Pending Legislation: H.R.6314 - Voluntary Grazing Permit Retirement Act Sponsor: Rep. Adan Smith (WA) Status: House Committee on Natural Resources Chair: Rep. Bruce Westerman (AR)