Bureau of Land Management proposes overhaul of public lands grazing rules

The U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is drafting its first major overhaul of public lands grazing regulations since 1995. The proposed rules aim to increase livestock grazing across 155 million acres of Western public lands.

The updates are intended to reduce regulatory burdens and promote local economies, according to the agency. However, the new regulations would also limit public participation by restricting the ability of citizens to observe, comment on, or object to decisions regarding the issuance or renewal of grazing permits.

While the agency frames the move as a way to strengthen productive working lands, some BLM staff members have expressed concerns that the changes are designed to reduce the involvement of anyone other than ranchers in the decision-making process.