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U.S. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins and Interior Secretary Doug Burgum Propose New Federal Grazing Rule

U.S. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins and Interior Secretary Doug Burgum Propose New Federal Grazing Rule

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins and U.S. Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum have announced a proposed rule aimed at updating grazing permit issuance, eligibility, qualifications, and revising grazing fee provisions for ranchers. This rule applies to those who graze livestock on national forests and grasslands across 16 contiguous Western states. The proposed rule, which began its 30-day public comment period, seeks to provide a more seamless practice for America’s ranchers and benefit rural communities by supporting both small and large ranching operations, potentially creating more local jobs. Secretary Rollins emphasized the administration's focus on cutting red tape to allow ranchers to continue their legacy of feeding America and maintaining healthy rangelands. The Forest Service currently permits livestock grazing on nearly 40 percent of its 193 million managed acres.
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USDA and Interior Department Announce Proposed Rule to Update Public Lands Grazing Regulations

USDA and Interior Department Announce Proposed Rule to Update Public Lands Grazing Regulations

Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins and Interior Secretary Doug Burgum announced a proposed rule by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to update public lands grazing permit issuance, eligibility, qualifications, and revise grazing fee provisions. This rule will be published in the Federal Register, initiating a 30-day comment period. The objective of this proposed rule is to align public grazing regulations across two agencies and four congressional acts that impact ranchers. The Forest Service, an agency within the USDA, and the Interior Department are the primary agencies involved in managing these public lands. This collaborative effort aims to streamline and modernize the regulatory framework governing grazing activities on federal lands, addressing long-standing issues and feedback from the ranching community.
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USDA Proposes New Grazing Rule to Expand Rancher Access on Federal Lands

USDA Proposes New Grazing Rule to Expand Rancher Access on Federal Lands

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has proposed significant changes to federal grazing rules, aiming to simplify and expand rancher access to grazing permits on national forests and grasslands across 16 Western states. The proposed rule seeks to update requirements for permit issuance, eligibility, and qualifications, while also revising grazing fee provisions to establish more consistent fee-setting practices between the USDA and the Interior Department. This initiative is designed to reduce regulatory discrepancies for ranchers who utilize lands managed by both agencies. Currently, the Forest Service permits livestock grazing on nearly 40% of its 193 million acres, an activity that supports approximately 14,200 jobs and contributes $645 million annually to the U.S. gross domestic product. The USDA emphasizes that grazing is also a vital land-management tool, contributing to the reduction of dry vegetation, wildfire prevention efforts, and improved stewardship during periods of drought and other en...
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Montana Files Appeal to Overturn Bison Grazing Injunction on Federal Lands

Montana Files Appeal to Overturn Bison Grazing Injunction on Federal Lands

On November 2, Governor Greg Gianforte (R-MT) announced that the state of Montana has filed an opening brief with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. The state is seeking to reverse a district court's preliminary injunction that currently allows the American Prairie Foundation (APF) to continue grazing its bison on three federal grazing allotments in Phillips County. This action is part of an ongoing dispute regarding the use of federal lands for 'rewilded' conservation bison versus traditional livestock grazing. The American Prairie Foundation aims to establish a herd of 5,000 bison on 3.2 million acres of public and private land, believing this size is necessary for a healthy prairie ecosystem. The dispute escalated after the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) initially granted APF seven grazing allotments in July 2022. Governor Gianforte's administration argued that the BLM exceeded its authority and failed to assess economic impacts on local communities and concerns over bison containment. In...
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Wilderness Watch Criticizes Forest Service's Proposed Regulations on Livestock Grazing

Wilderness Watch Criticizes Forest Service's Proposed Regulations on Livestock Grazing

Wilderness Watch, along with other environmental groups, has voiced strong opposition to new proposed regulations by the U.S. Forest Service concerning livestock grazing on national forests. These regulations, which appeared in the Federal Register on November 10, are criticized for expanding livestock grazing and weakening oversight across 95 million acres of public lands, including designated Wilderness areas. Critics, such as Chris Krupp, public lands attorney for WildEarth Guardians, and Josh Osher, public policy director of Western Watersheds Project, argue that the changes prioritize the livestock industry over wildlife habitat, clean water, and recreation. They contend that the regulations would make it easier to graze public lands, codify a low grazing fee, and eliminate public engagement opportunities for many management decisions, despite the Forest Service's determination that these changes do not require environmental planning and analysis under NEPA.
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GAO Criticizes USDA for Lack of Transparency in Reorganization Plans

GAO Criticizes USDA for Lack of Transparency in Reorganization Plans

The U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) has raised concerns regarding the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) reorganization plans, citing a significant lack of transparency. According to a report published by the GAO, the USDA failed to provide documentation detailing the analyses that informed its reorganization decisions. This omission prevents Congress and the public from evaluating the potential impacts of the reorganization on services, economic factors, workforce attrition, and the protection of taxpayer dollars. Steve Morris, GAO’s director of natural resources and environment, stated that despite multiple requests, the USDA did not furnish the necessary information, leaving stakeholders in the dark. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins criticized the GAO's report as a 'politicized review,' arguing it did not present the full story of the department's reorganization. However, the GAO has affirmed the objectivity and accuracy of its findings. This lack of transparency follows a similar p...
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USDA and Interior Departments Propose Rule to Streamline Grazing Permits on Western Public Lands

USDA and Interior Departments Propose Rule to Streamline Grazing Permits on Western Public Lands

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins and U.S. Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum have announced a proposed rule by the USDA to update grazing permit issuance, eligibility, and qualifications. This rule also aims to revise grazing fee provisions to ensure consistent fee-setting across national forests and grasslands in 16 contiguous Western states. The objective is to create a more seamless practice for American ranchers, benefiting rural communities by supporting both small and large ranching operations and generating local jobs. Secretary Burgum stated that the rule is designed to cut red tape, provide ranchers with more certainty, and help lower costs for families, aligning with President Trump's directive for agencies to collaborate rather than create obstacles for producers. The Forest Service currently allows livestock grazing on nearly 40% of the 193 million acres it manages.
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USDA Proposes Federal Rule to Streamline Grazing Allotment Access for Western Ranchers

USDA Proposes Federal Rule to Streamline Grazing Allotment Access for Western Ranchers

On November 10, 2026, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins and U.S. Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum announced a proposed federal rule by the USDA. This rule aims to update the process for issuing grazing permits, including eligibility and qualification criteria. Additionally, it seeks to revise grazing fee provisions to ensure consistent fee-setting across national forests and grasslands in 16 contiguous Western states. The objective is to create a more seamless and standardized practice for American ranchers, thereby benefiting rural communities by supporting both small and large ranching operations and fostering local job creation. This initiative is part of a broader effort to enhance agricultural practices and economic stability in these regions.
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Trump administration wants to sell public lands and shrink the federal estate

Trump administration wants to sell public lands and shrink the federal estate

President Donald Trump’s administration wants to sell public lands to states, tribes and local governments as part of an effort to “decrease the size of the federal estate.”
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Record 63 Million Americans Hike Regularly, Raising Sustainability Concerns

Record 63 Million Americans Hike Regularly, Raising Sustainability Concerns

A record 63 million Americans are now hiking regularly, according to the Outdoor Industry Association’s 2026 report. This surge in popularity, while encouraging more people to engage with nature, has led to significant concerns regarding the sustainability of trails and ecosystems. The increased foot traffic is causing environmental degradation, particularly in fragile environments like deserts, mountains, and coastal ecosystems, where recovery from damage can take years or even decades. The report highlights that the sheer volume of hikers can transform narrow footpaths into wider, damaged areas, impacting riparian vegetation and displacing ground-nesting birds. The phenomenon of landmarks going viral on social media, such as Horseshoe Bend, has exacerbated these issues, with visitor numbers skyrocketing and leading to overcrowding and environmental strain. The Bureau of Land Management has implemented permit systems, like for The Wave, to manage access and protect natural formations from overuse.
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Trump administration to pursue public land sales and a decrease in federal ownership

Trump administration to pursue public land sales and a decrease in federal ownership

President Donald Trump’s administration wants to sell public lands to states, tribes and local governments as part of an effort to “decrease the size of the federal estate.”
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Bird Flu Outbreak at Utah Mink Farm Raises Public Health Concerns; USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins Holds Key to Vaccine Authorization

Bird Flu Outbreak at Utah Mink Farm Raises Public Health Concerns; USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins Holds Key to Vaccine Authorization

A virulent strain of avian flu has spread through a mink farm in Utah, raising concerns about its potential to transmit to and between humans. Despite the outbreak persisting for over two months, there are no federal regulations specifically addressing how to manage sick mink. While other countries have ordered the culling of mink in similar situations, no such plans are currently in place in Utah. Mink are particularly susceptible to such viruses due to their respiratory systems being similar to humans. Although a bird flu vaccine for mammals exists, its use requires authorization from U.S. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins. However, there is limited research on the appropriate dosage or effectiveness of this vaccine in mink, given that bird flu in mink is a new development in the U.S. Utah's State Veterinarian Amanda Price noted the lack of available options beyond monitoring the situation.