Hoeven: Trump Administration Advances Proposal to Expand Grazing Access on USFS Lands, National Grasslands

WASHINGTON – Senator John Hoeven today issued the following statement after the Trump administration announced a proposal to expand access for grazing on U.S. Forest Service (USFS) lands , including the national grasslands in North Dakota. Today’s announcement aligns with Hoeven’s ongoing efforts as chairman of the Senate Agriculture Appropriations Committee and a senior member of the Senate Agriculture Committee to ensure the USFS is a good partner to livestock producers who rely on access to federal lands for grazing their herds. To this end, the proposal released today would: Clarify and streamline permit eligibility and rules across USFS and the Bureau of Land Management. Establish targeted and outcome-based grazing authorizations to help address grass buildup and reduce wildfire risk. Help ensure vacant allotments are put to productive use. Expand opportunities for beginning ranchers to access grazing permits. Extend livestock use permits for up to 5 years and provide flexibility for temporary livestock use. At the same time, Hoeven continues working with the USFS to revise the Travel Management Rule for the Little Missouri Grasslands to make section line rights-of-way available so ranchers can better access their cattle on federal lands. Hoeven has repeatedly raised this priority to administration officials, including USFS Chief Tom Schultz, and has been working to move a revised rule forward. The senator also secured a commitment from Schultz to work with North Dakota Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring and local grazing associations as the new rule is developed. “The new Rangeland Management Rule is a good step by the U.S. Forest Service to be a better partner to our livestock producers and improve access to the national grasslands and other Forest Service lands,” said Hoeven. “Grazing not only benefits local economies, but it supports healthier grasslands and helps reduce wildfire risk. We appreciate Secretary Rollins and Forest Service Chief Schultz for their efforts, both on today’s proposal and as we continue working to revise the Travel Management Rule for the Little Missouri Grasslands and rightfully restore access to section lines in our state.” -###-