Sponsors (2)
Last progress June 5, 2025 (8 months ago)
Introduced on June 5, 2025 by Catherine Marie Cortez Masto
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
Directs the federal land management secretaries to develop a national strategy that uses livestock grazing as a tool to reduce wildfire risk. The law defines key terms, requires broad consultation with Federal, State, local, and Tribal partners, and gives agencies 18 months to deliver the strategy while stating that existing grazing programs remain unchanged. The strategy must cover specified topics (practices, monitoring, coordination, legal/regulatory considerations, and environmental safeguards) and set procedures for implementation and evaluation; no new funding or authorization of program changes is specified in the text.
Defines "National Forest System" by reference to section 11(a) of the Forest and Rangeland Renewable Resources Planning Act of 1974.
Defines "public lands" by reference to section 103 of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976.
Defines "Secretary concerned" to mean the Secretary of Agriculture for National Forest System land and the Secretary of the Interior for public lands.
Requires the Secretary concerned, in coordination with holders of permits to graze livestock on Federal land under that Secretary's jurisdiction and in consultation with other relevant stakeholders, to develop a strategy to use livestock grazing as a wildfire risk reduction tool consistent with applicable law.
Sets a deadline that the strategy must be developed not later than 18 months after the date of enactment of this Act.
Primary impacts fall on federal land managers and grazing permit holders. Federal land agencies (e.g., Bureau of Land Management, Forest Service) must allocate staff time and planning resources to produce the strategy and coordinate across jurisdictions. Ranchers and grazing permit holders on Federal lands could see new guidance or incentives resulting from the strategy, potentially affecting grazing schedules, stocking rates, or permitted practices if agencies pursue implementation later. Tribal governments and State and local partners will be consulted and may influence recommended approaches for their lands and adjoining areas. Communities and stakeholders in wildfire-prone areas may benefit from reduced wildfire risk if grazing-based fuel reduction measures are adopted and proven effective. The section does not itself authorize new funding or change permit authorities, so immediate operational or financial effects on permit holders and local governments are limited to participation in consultation and planning.