Grazing Permit Retirement

Currently, there isn't a well-defined process for permanently retiring BLM grazing permits.  The result is that if  a grazing lease is environmentally compromised the BLM has inadequate means to terminate grazing - even if the permit holder wishes to curtail the contract.   This effectively blocks converting marginal public property into environmental set aside.

• Here are the Challenges:

  • Existing law doesn't allow BLM to simply buy out a permit. If a permittee relinquishes a permit, BLM typically reissues it to a new applicant.

  • There's no guarantee of permanence. Even after relinquishment, a future administrator could decide to reissue the grazing permit.

• Voluntary Waiver:

  • The current approach relies on voluntary waiver by the permittee.

  • Permittees can negotiate with BLM to end grazing and potentially receive compensation from interested third-party organizations like conservation groups.

  • Funding for compensation usually comes from private sources, not the government.

• Legislative Efforts:

  • The Voluntary Grazing Permit Retirement Act (H.R.6314 VGPRA) was introduced in 2022 to address these issues.

  • VGPRA would allow permit buyouts with fair compensation and establish permanent retirement of the permits.

  • As of March 2024, VGPRA hasn't been passed yet.

Improvements for Easier Retirement:

• Standardized Process: A clear, standardized process for permit retirement would streamline things for both BLM and permittees.

• Funding: A dedicated funding source, potentially federal, would make compensation more readily available.

• Tax Incentives: Tax incentives for permittees who choose to retire their permits could encourage participation.

• VGPRA Passage: Enacting the Voluntary Grazing Permit Retirement Act would provide a national framework for permit retirement with the desired permanence and compensation features.

These improvements would make BLM grazing permit retirement a more viable option for ranchers and conservation efforts