Grasslands Grazing Act of 2025
Grasslands Grazing Act of 2025 would amend the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 so that ranchers who hold grazing agreements on national grasslands are treated the same as permittees on other federal land. The key change is a redefinition in FLPMA Section 402(a): the phrase “lands within National Forests” would be replaced with “National Forest System land,” which includes national grasslands. The intended effect is to equalize eligibility for grazing leases and permits across federal lands, ensuring national grassland grazers are not at a disadvantage relative to permittees elsewhere. The bill also specifies that this amendment should not alter the applicability of other FLPMA provisions (aside from Section 402), nor affect certain related laws (Bankhead-Jones Farm Tenant Act and provisions of the Public Rangelands Improvement Act).
Key Points
- 1Important provision 1: Replaces the phrase “lands within National Forests” with “National Forest System land” in FLPMA Section 402(a), broadening the eligible lands to include National Grasslands.
- 2Important provision 2: The amendment is limited in scope to FLPMA Section 402 and does not modify other provisions of FLPMA or related statutes beyond this section.
- 3Important provision 3: The definition of “National Forest System land” used for this purpose follows the definition in the Forest and Rangeland Renewable Resources Planning Act of 1974 (16 U.S.C. 1609(a)).
- 4Important provision 4: The change is intended to ensure ranchers with grazing agreements on national grasslands are treated the same as permittees on other federal land, promoting parity in eligibility for grazing leases and permits.
- 5Important provision 5: The bill is titled the Grasslands Grazing Act of 2025, introduced in the Senate (S. 2787) by Senators Barrasso and Lummis, referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources; status as introduced.