Sen. John Thune (R-SD) has introduced legislation to improve grazing rights for U.S. Forest Service national grasslands permit holders.
“Unfortunately, national grasslands permittees do not have the same due process rights that Bureau of Land Management and national forest permittees currently enjoy,” said Ross Nielsen, president of the Association of National Grasslands.
Thune’s bill would allow national grassland permittees the following: 10-year permits, first priority for receipt of a new permit, entitlement to written notice of any permit violations and an opportunity to achieve compliance, and no permit cancellation without a two-year notification—with the exception of an emergency.
The bill is supported by the Association of National Grasslands, South Dakota Stockgrowers Association and South Dakota Sheep Growers Association.
