GRAZING BILL IS FIRST STEP TO INCREASE STABILITY

WASHINGTON, D.C., (September. 17, 1997) -- A bill to codify a number of federal grazing regulations would bring a measure of stability to western federal-land ranchers, according to the Public Lands Council (PLC).

"Stability is of vital importance to the continued viability of federal-lands ranching operations," said Mike Byrne, a fourth- generation cattle producer from Tulelake, Calif. who is director of the California Public Lands Council. Byrne testified on behalf of the PLC at a House Agriculture Committee hearing here today on grazing legislation introduced by the Chairman.

"This is a first step toward resolving many long-standing issues surrounding grazing on federal lands," Byrne said.

The Forage Improvement Act of 1997, introduced by Rep. Bob Smith, R-Ore., House Agriculture Committee chairman, addresses seven of the 18 priorities developed by federal-lands ranchers across the West at a meeting earlier this year. The bill would:

• implement a codified, equitable grazing fee based on fair market values;
• prohibit the agencies from forcing access to private property as a condition of permit renewal;
• codify and improve Resource Advisory Councils;
• clarify the definitions of "cooperation, coordination and consultation," which currently have no statutory definitions;
• protect tenure by maintaining renewable ten-year terms for permits and leases;
• clarify the circumstances under which subleases will be subject to a surcharge; and,
• apply to lands managed by both the Bureau of Land Management and the U.S. Forest Service.

"The state of federal-land grazing today is grim. Many family ranchers, some third- and fourth-generation, are facing a very difficult time trying to stay in business due to a variety of government and social forces, including government regulations for federal-land grazing," Byrne said.

"In many instances, ranching families have worked out good Allotment Management Plans with their local BLM and Forest Service office, only to be told later that they will not comply with some new regulations. This is a very unstable situation."

"The Forage Improvement Act is not a panacea, but it will address some of the most restrictive provisions of the current regulations and give more stability to ranchers until some of the other areas are addressed by Congress", he said.

This bill does not include any language to remove the National Grasslands from the National Forest System. This issue is a priority for PLC, and we remain committed to adding this language to the bill," Byrne said.

"We remain committed to eventually achieving action on the balance of the 18 priorities developed by federal-land ranchers."

The Public Lands Council represents permittees who hold leases and permits to graze livestock on the federal lands in the West administered by the Bureau of Land Management and the United States Forest Service. It also coordinates the federal-lands policies of the National Cattlemen's Beef Association, American Sheep Industry Association and the Association of National Grasslands. PLC is dedicated to the principle of sound management of federal lands for grazing and other multiple use purposes.