Changes could be coming to how public lands grazing works. The changes are a far off possibility, but one that could have big impacts on Western ranchers.
On Jan. 21, the BLM published a notice of intent to revise the grazing regulations for public lands in the contiguous U.S. in the Federal Register. This is the beginning of a scoping process.
“Scoping is the process by which the BLM solicits input on the issues, impacts, and potential alternatives and the extent to which those issues and impacts will be analyzed in the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS),” explained the notice.
The notice offers a summary version of the likely proposed changes, including changing the BLM’s public lands grazing regulations to:
• Align with current versions of other governing regulations like the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), caselaw/statutory changes, and regulatory authorities;
• Update and improve relevant definitions and terms;
• Improve readability and understanding;
• Improve and streamline the permitting process, including how decisions for crossing permits are issued, the value of grazing to reduce fuel loads and reduce wildfire risk, etc.;
• Expand or clarify the use of NEPA categorical exclusion authorities;
• Streamlining the protest and appeals process; and
• Allow greater flexibility on the use of livestock grazing to address fuel loads, protect rangelands from fire risk, and promote land health.
As this is only a notice of intent to propose changes, the summary of proposed changes are necessarily brief and lacking in detail. To read the notice in full, visit www.federalregister.gov and search for “2020-00849.”
Comments
The notice specifically is soliciting public comment from tribes; federal, state, and local agencies; and other stakeholders “that may be interested in or affected by the proposed BLM Grazing Regulation Revision that the BLM is evaluating.” The notice also specifically notes it is interested in getting views from the public on “the potential for prospective regulatory changes to affect historic properties” covered under the National Historic Preservation Act.
When responding to a call for comments like this, which highlights certain voices from which it wants to hear, it is important to identify how or if you fit the requested comment sources. Also, remember that all comments are eventually made public. Do not include any identifying information you are not comfortable being made public.
Comments are being accepted through March 6, 2020.
The BLM prefers online comment submission. Comments can be submitted online at https://go.usa.gov/?xyMqb. Instructions for comment submission can be found there.
If you do not have web access and wish to submit a written comment, you may mail it to the Bureau of Land Management, Attn: Seth Flanigan, 3948 S. Development Ave., Boise, ID 83702.
Comments can also be submitted by hand at one of four different public open houses on the matter. They are:
• Feb. 6 at 4:30-7:30 p.m., Sleep Inn and Suites, 1006 S. Haynes Ave., Miles City, MT, 59301;
• Feb. 11 at 4:30-7:30 p.m., Ramada Palms Hotel, 201 East University Ave., Las Cruces, NM 88005;
• Feb. 18 at 4:30-7:30 p.m., Elko Convention Center, 700 Moren Way, Elko, NV 89801; and
• Feb. 20 at 4:30-7:30 p.m., Casper Event Center, 1 Events Dr., Casper, WY 82601. — WLJ
