Labrador Introduces Grazing Bill

Press Release

Congressman Raúl Labrador (ID-01) introduced the Grazing Improvement Act of 2012 (H.R. 4234) last night in the U.S. House of Representatives. The bill, co-sponsored by Democrat Jim Costa (CA-20), enjoys bipartisan support. If enacted, this legislation would:

Extend Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and Forest Service livestock grazing permits from 10 to 20 years.
Codify appropriation rider language to require expired grazing permits to be renewed under existing terms and conditions until the renewal process is complete.
Allow the Secretary to issue a categorical exclusion under NEPA if the decision by the agency is to continue current grazing management under the permit. If minor modifications to the permit are made, the categorical exclusion by the Secretary must be based on satisfactorily monitoring the allotment and the absence of "extraordinary circumstances."
Codify appropriation language that allows the appropriate Secretary to set the priority and timing for environmental analysis regarding grazing permit renewal.
Apply Section 5 of the Administrative Procedure Act's (APA) formal adjudication procedures for a "hearing on the record" to the Forest Service. Also applies the APA's formal adjudication procedures to BLM grazing permittee or lessee appeals.
Provide for a stay of decision by the appropriate Secretary regarding grazing permits or leases except in situations where an emergency regarding the deterioration of resources exists.
The legislation also allows trailing permits to be categorically excluded from NEPA.
"We can no longer allow the federal government to maintain an enormous backlog in processing grazing permits. I am proud to introduce the Grazing Improvement Act of 2012, in hopes of ensuring grazing certainty and stability for America's livestock producers," Congressman Labrador said. "Ranching is a time-honored tradition in Idaho and across the American West. It is an integral part of our cultural fabric and our economic security. As such, we must preserve it for future generations."

In addition to Representative Jim Costa, original co-sponsors of the Grazing Improvement Act of 2012 are: Representatives Mike Simpson (ID-02), Rob Bishop (UT-01), Cynthia Lummis (WY-At Large), Kristi Noem (SD- At Large), Cathy McMorris Rodgers (WA-05), Paul Gosar (AZ-01), Greg Walden (OR-02), Denny Rehberg (R-MT) and Andy Harris (MD-01).

This is Congressman Labrador's fifth bill introduced during the 112th Congress. His "Exploring for Geothermal Energy on Federal Lands Act" passed as an amendment to H.R.3408 in February 2012.

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