The proposed rule also addresses opportunities for land stewardship to address drought, wildfire, other disturbances
(Washington, D.C., November 10, 2026) – U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins and U.S. Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum today announced a USDA proposed rule to update grazing permit issuance, eligibility and qualifications, and revise grazing fee provisions to ensure consistent fee-setting across national forests and grasslands in 16 contiguous Western states providing a more seamless practice for America's Ranchers. This will benefit rural communities by supporting small and large ranching operations and create local jobs.
The proposed rule aligns with the Administration's October 2025 USDA Plan to Fortify the American Beef Industry, the USDA-DOI MOU on advancing grazing on Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management lands, and subsequent grazing policy issued by Secretary Rollins and Under Secretary for Natural Resources and Environment Michael Boren.
"I am proud to work with the Department of the Interior as we support hard working ranchers, the backbone of this country's history and a vital engine that drives economic vitality in rural communities, while putting healthy protein on American tables," said Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins. "America's ranchers are tough professionals who care for the land and are proud of their tradition of stewardship that strengthens the fabric of this nation. This administration is focused on cutting red tape across the government so ranchers can uphold their legacy of feeding America and keeping our rangelands thriving for generations."
"America's ranchers know how to manage the land. It's our job to make it easier for them to do it," said Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum. "President Trump brought commonsense solutions back to the federal government, and he expects agencies to work together instead of creating more obstacles for American producers. By aligning our grazing rules, we're cutting red tape, giving ranchers more certainty and helping lower costs for families."
The Forest Service allows livestock grazing on nearly 40% of the 193 million acres the agency manages.
Managed grazing contributes to reducing dangerously dry, overgrown vegetation, lowering the risk of catastrophic, uncontrolled fire while providing for the financial well-being of ranching families and rural western communities. Grazing on Forest Service-managed lands contributes about 14,200 jobs and $645 million to the nation's gross domestic product annually, supporting agriculture-related sectors and private operations.
Many of the proposed revisions are editorial, procedural, or intended to clarify existing requirements. Other changes align with the U.S. Bureau of Land Management regulations to better support grazing permittees who use lands managed by both agencies.
The USDA proposed rule will be published in the Federal Register on Nov. 12, 2026, opening a 30-day comment period.
