S-258 : Still Just a Bill

Grazing Improvement Act - Amends the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (the Act) to double from 10 to 20 years the period of a term for grazing permits and leases for domestic livestock grazing on public lands or lands within national forests in 16 contiguous western states. Permits the issuance of permits and leases for a period shorter than 20 years (under current law, shorter than 10 years), including where the Secretary concerned determines that the initial environmental analysis under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) regarding a grazing allotment, permit, or lease has not been completed.

Directs that grazing permits or leases issued by the Secretary of the Interior or the Secretary of Agriculture (USDA) that expire, are transferred, or are waived after this Act's enactment be renewed or reissued, as appropriate, under the Act, the Granger-Thye Act, the Bankhead-Jones Farm Tenant Act, or the California Desert Protection Act of 1994.

Excludes the renewal, reissuance, or transfer of a grazing permit or lease by the Secretary concerned from the NEPA requirement to prepare an environmental analysis if: (1) such decision continues to renew, reissue, or transfer current grazing management of the allotment; (2) monitoring indicates that such management meets objectives contained in the land use and resource management plan of the allotment; or (3) the decision is consistent with the policy of the Department of the Interior or USDA regarding extraordinary circumstances.

Makes NEPA inapplicable to domestic livestock crossing and trailing authorizations and transfers of grazing preference.

Action Timeline

Action DateTypeTextSource
2014-05-22CalendarsPlaced on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 392.Senate
2014-05-22CommitteeCommittee on Energy and Natural Resources. Reported by Senator Landrieu with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 113-166.Senate
2013-11-21CommitteeCommittee on Energy and Natural Resources. Ordered to be reported with amendments favorably.Senate
2013-04-25CommitteeCommittee on Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on Public Lands, Forests, and Mining. Hearings held. With printed Hearing: S.Hrg. 113-28.Senate
2013-02-07IntroReferralRead twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.Senate
2013-02-07IntroReferralIntroduced in SenateLibrary of Congress

Policy Area :

Public Lands and Natural Resources
See Subjects
  • Administrative law and regulatory procedures
  • Administrative remedies
  • Department of Agriculture
  • Environmental assessment, monitoring, research
  • Forests, forestry, trees
  • Land use and conservation
  • Licensing and registrations
  • Livestock

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