[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 211 Introduced in Senate (IS)]
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119th CONGRESS
1st Session
S. 211
To amend the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 to improve
the management of grazing permits and leases, and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
January 23, 2025
Mr. Barrasso (for himself, Mr. Risch, Mr. Rounds, Ms. Lummis, and Mr.
Sheehy) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and
referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To amend the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 to improve
the management of grazing permits and leases, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Resiliency for Ranching and Natural
Conservation Health Act''.
SEC. 2. TEMPORARY USE OF VACANT GRAZING ALLOTMENTS FOR HOLDERS OF
GRAZING PERMITS OR LEASES DURING EXTREME NATURAL EVENTS
AND DISASTERS.
Title IV of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (43
U.S.C. 1751 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following:
``SEC. 405. VACANT GRAZING ALLOTMENTS MADE AVAILABLE TO HOLDERS OF
GRAZING PERMITS OR LEASES DURING EXTREME NATURAL EVENTS
AND DISASTERS.
``(a) Definition of Secretary Concerned.--In this section, the term
`Secretary concerned' means--
``(1) the Secretary of Agriculture, with respect to
National Forest System land; and
``(2) the Secretary, with respect to public lands.
``(b) Allotments.--
``(1) In general.--The Secretary concerned may make
available to the holder of a grazing permit or lease issued by
either Secretary concerned the temporary use of a vacant
grazing allotment if--
``(A) 1 or more grazing allotments covered by the
grazing permit or lease of the holder of the grazing
permit or lease are temporarily unusable, as determined
by the Secretary concerned, because of unforeseen
natural events or disasters (including an extreme
weather event, drought, wildfire, infestation, or
blight); and
``(B) the Secretary concerned determines that the
vacant grazing allotment is appropriate for temporary
grazing use.
``(2) Terms and conditions.--In establishing the terms and
conditions in a permit or lease for the temporary use of a
vacant grazing allotment made available pursuant to this
subsection, the Secretary concerned--
``(A) shall take into consideration the terms and
conditions of the most recent permit or lease that was
applicable to the vacant grazing allotment;
``(B) if there are no terms or conditions available
for consideration under subparagraph (A), may assign
temporary terms or conditions, after considering
ecological conditions of, or terms on, adjacent grazing
allotments;
``(C) shall base the terms and conditions on local
ecological conditions, as determined by the applicable
official;
``(D) shall take into consideration other factors,
including any prior agency agreement that resolved or
sought to resolve a management conflict, including a
conflict related to State management of wildlife; and
``(E) may authorize the placement and use of
temporary rangeland improvements (including portable
corrals, fencing, aboveground pipelines, and water
troughs) on the vacant grazing allotment to accommodate
the temporary use.
``(3) Coordination.--To the maximum extent practicable, the
Secretaries concerned shall coordinate to make available to
holders of grazing permits or leases the use of vacant grazing
allotments, regardless of agency jurisdiction over vacant
grazing allotments, pursuant to paragraphs (1) and (2).
``(4) Effect.--The temporary use of a vacant grazing
allotment under this subsection shall not--
``(A) preclude or otherwise alter other ongoing or
future actions or assessments evaluating the potential
of the vacant grazing allotment to be used or otherwise
assigned; or
``(B) alter--
``(i) the terms and conditions of the
original grazing permit or lease of the holder
of the grazing permit or lease;
``(ii) the preference or ability of the
holder of the grazing permit or lease to return
to the original allotment once access to, or
the use of, the original allotment is restored;
or
``(iii) the animal unit months in future
authorizations, or conditions of a permit, of
the holder of the grazing permit or lease.
``(c) Duration.--The Secretary concerned shall determine the
duration of the temporary use of a vacant grazing allotment made
available pursuant to subsection (b), after considering--
``(1) the condition of the vacant grazing allotment; and
``(2) the period of time necessary for the original
allotment of the holder of the grazing permit or lease to
return to use.
``(d) Guidelines.--
``(1) In general.--Not later than 1 year after the date of
enactment of this section, the Secretary concerned shall
establish guidelines to expeditiously, efficiently, and
effectively carry out activities authorized under this section.
``(2) Considerations.--In establishing the guidelines under
paragraph (1), the Secretary concerned may consider--
``(A) criteria for determining whether the vacant
grazing allotment is suitable for temporary grazing
use;
``(B) eligibility criteria for the holders of
grazing permits or leases;
``(C) prioritizing holders of grazing permits or
leases in close proximity to a vacant grazing
allotment;
``(D) any class or change in class of livestock on
the temporary use of a vacant grazing allotment, with
consideration given to local ecological conditions,
disease, wildlife conflicts, and other factors based on
localized conditions;
``(E) processes for coordinating with allotments
adjoining or within the vicinity of a vacant grazing
allotment; and
``(F) any other processes intended to expedite
procedures for making vacant grazing allotments
available during emergent circumstances.
``(e) Periodic Evaluations.--The Secretary concerned shall
periodically evaluate land health conditions of vacant grazing
allotments to facilitate the efficient implementation of this
section.''.
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