Grazing for Wildfire Risk Reduction Act

This bill would require the U.S. Department of Agriculture, through the Forest Service, to create and carry out a plan to use livestock grazing to lower wildfire risk. The plan would open more chances to graze where it helps reduce dry grasses and brush that fuel fires. It also calls for using grazing after fires, when helpful, to support recovery. Agencies would complete needed environmental reviews to let permitted ranchers temporarily use vacant grazing areas during droughts, wildfires, or other disasters that disrupt their usual allotments.

Key points

• Who is affected: The Forest Service, ranchers with grazing permits on federal lands, and communities near wildfire-prone areas.
• What changes: More use of targeted grazing to cut fire fuels and invasive grasses; more temporary permits for this purpose; and using grazing as part of postfire restoration when appropriate. Agencies must use all tools allowed by law to make this happen, including completing required reviews to shift grazing during emergencies.
• When: The bill directs the Forest Service to develop and implement the strategy; the text does not set a specific deadline.