PUBLIC LANDS

from the Public Lands Council

As business in Washington and around the country gets back to normal, work and progress continue on behalf of ranchers on public lands across the country. Listed here as some of the latest topics of concern to the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA), public lands permittees and Public Lands Council (PLC) staff.

BLM Decision on APR Allotment Conversion

On March 31 the PLC and NCBA denounced the Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) proposed decision on the American Prairie Reserve’s (APR) request to graze bison on seven grazing allotments in Montana.

“In addition to an unacceptable disregard for animal and rangeland health, this decision fails to address the longstanding, science-based concerns raised by Montana ranchers, land managers, and conservation experts. PLC, NCBA, and our partners on the ground have consistently raised foundational flaws in the BLM’s assessment, starting with the inappropriate use of an Environmental Assessment and Finding of No Significant Impact for total conversion of these allotments. This decision poses clear threats to rangeland and riparian ecosystems and is in direct conflict with the agency’s mandated responsibility to uphold multiple use,” said Executive Director of PLC and NCBA Natural Resources Kaitlynn Glover.

Bison follow significantly different grazing patterns and behaviors than cattle, and this decision would alter the grazing authorizations and season of use on six of the seven allotments under consideration. If finalized, this conversion will result in resource degradation and undermine the careful stewardship of existing grazing permittees. The BLM’s decision also faces serious questions about the legality of conversion of the allotments under existing federal grazing law.

Land management decisions – especially ones that permanently alter the forage profile, soil health, and waterways of a grassland ecosystem – should be led by the expertise of people on the ground. Through continued engagement, including the submission of comments on the draft Environmental Assessment in September 2021, NCBA and PLC stand with Montana Public Lands Council and Montana Stockgrowers Association to ensure the concerns that have been by raised by ranchers in Montana and across the West are not dismissed in this process.

BLM Decision on APR Allotment Conversion

In early April, PLC , alongside NCBA, welcomed the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) decision to expand the Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees and Farm-Raised Fish Program (ELAP) to cover a portion of the costs incurred from the transportation of livestock to feed sources.

“Western ranchers experience daily the devastation caused by one of the most extreme droughts we have seen in recent years. From increased risk of catastrophic wildfire to lack of sufficient grazing lands, producers are facing difficult decisions when it comes to herd management,” said Executive Director of PLC and NCBA Natural Resources

Kaitlynn Glover. “This announcement comes at a critical time, and we are appreciative of both FSA and Senator Thune for prioritizing the needs of cattle producers.”

“We are appreciative that the USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) listened to requests from producers who are suffering through the continued impact of multiple years of unprecedented drought and skyrocketing input costs. We are also grateful for the efforts of Senator Thune’s office as we worked together to provide further flexibility within the program,” said NCBA Executive Director of Government Affairs Allison Rivera. “As cattle producers continue to navigate challenges associated with drought, it is critical to ensure they have the resources necessary for their businesses to remain viable, while giving the highest quality care to their livestock.”

Across areas of the western United States where grazing is a main source of feed for cattle production, unprecedented drought has made rangelands insufficient for proper grazing. ELAP originally covered the cost of moving feed to livestock, but for cattle producers, hauling livestock to other feed sources that are not easily moved is often a more efficient and economical method.

USDA’s announcement follows a letter PLC sent to FSA requesting the inclusion of coverage for moving livestock to feed during extreme drought conditions, in addition to the provision already included for moving feed to livestock.

PLC Now Accepting Grant Proposals for Fiscal Year 2023

The application period is now open for Fiscal Year 2023 grants from the Public Lands Council. PLC’s grant program offers funding on a competitive basis to projects that can equip public lands ranchers and land managers with information to help advance and improve the future of grazing on federal lands. Priorities for funding vary each year, and can include scientific research, communications campaigns, and business development projects. Details for the current application year can be found in the request for proposal (RFP).

Application instructions, research questions, deadlines, and more can be found at publiclandscouncil.org/grants.

“Being able to provide support through our grant program enhances PLC’s ability to shape the policy conversations that are directly impacting federal lands grazing permittees. Over the years, our program has grown and allowed us to position PLC at the forefront of critical, West-wide conversations like sage grouse monitoring,” said PLC President Niels Hansen. “The questions that are prioritized in this year’s RFP reflect some of the most urgent concerns that we are hearing about from cattle and sheep producers on the ground. Wildfire, conservation, recreation, and multiple use issues are the bedrock of our program for 2023, and we look forward to receiving applications from a competitive group of natural resources stakeholders.”

The current application period is for grant awards for Fiscal Year 2023. Applications are due by 11:59 p.m. ET on Monday, June 6, 2022. Applicants are strongly encouraged to secure the support of one or more state partners to strengthen their application.

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