Voluntary Grazing Permit Retirement Act of 2025
This bill, the Voluntary Grazing Permit Retirement Act of 2025, would broaden the authority to voluntarily retire Federal grazing permits and leases from being limited to certain areas to all Federal lands in the 16 Western States. It allows permittees or lessees to waive their grazing permits on a first-come, first-served basis with the intention of permanently ending livestock grazing on the affected allotment. When a permit or lease is waived, the Secretary would terminate the permit, prohibit new permits within that allotment, and ensure a permanent reduction or end to grazing on that land. If the waived allotment overlaps with other permits, the total grazing level on that allotment must be reduced accordingly and not exceed the lowered level. The bill also sets annual caps on how many waivers can be accepted, with separate limits for the entire 16-state area and per-state limits, while excluding already administratively retired allotments from these caps. The bill defines key terms (e.g., grazing allotment, permittee, range developments) and outlines protections for range developments and existing rights. It emphasizes reducing or avoiding conflicts on lands managed by the Department of Agriculture or the Department of the Interior, while preserving other authorities and existing water or ownership rights.
Key Points
- 1Voluntary retirement expansion: Allows voluntary waivers of Federal grazing permits or leases for all lands in the 16 Western States, with the intention of permanently ending grazing on the waived allotment.
- 2First-come, first-served with permanent effects: The Secretary must accept waivers on a first-come, first-served basis, terminate the waived permits immediately, and prohibit new grazing permits within those allotments.
- 3Overlapping permits adjustment: If a waived allotment is partially covered by other active permits, the remaining grazing must be reduced to reflect the waiver, ensuring a permanent decrease in grazing whenever a waiver occurs.
- 4Annual cap on waivers: Limits to no more than 100 waivers per fiscal year across all 16 states, and no more than 25 waivers in any single state; administratively retired allotments existing at the date of enactment are exempt from these caps.
- 5Administratively retired allotments: For allotments retired before enactment, the Secretary must also ensure no new permits are issued within the allotment and that grazing ends permanently.
- 6Effects on range developments and rights: Waiving a permit releases the permittee from claims to range developments on the affected land; the Secretary must secure retired allotments against unauthorized grazing and preserve other existing rights and authorities.