This Act mandates the development of a federal strategy to utilize targeted livestock grazing as a key tool for reducing wildfire risk and controlling invasive species on public lands.
Catherine Cortez Masto
Senator
NV
The Strategic Grazing to Reduce Risk of Wildfire Act mandates that federal agencies develop a comprehensive strategy within 18 months to utilize targeted livestock grazing for wildfire risk reduction on National Forest System and BLM lands. This plan must outline how grazing will be used for fuel reduction, invasive species control, and post-fire recovery, while considering emergency needs and modern technology. The strategy requires extensive consultation with stakeholders, including Tribes, local governments, and permit holders, ensuring it complements existing land management plans.
New Wildfire Bill Mandates Using Goats and Cows to Graze Down Fuels on Federal Lands
The newly introduced Strategic Grazing to Reduce Risk of Wildfire Act is pretty straightforward: it tells the federal government to use livestock—cows, sheep, goats—as a proactive tool to fight wildfires. Specifically, the bill mandates that the Secretaries of Agriculture (Forest Service) and Interior (BLM) develop a formal, coordinated strategy within 18 months to use targeted grazing to clear out vegetation that acts as fuel for fires on federal lands (SEC. 2).
The Strategy: Goats, Cows, and Cheatgrass
Think of this as hiring a herd of natural lawnmowers for the millions of acres of federal land. The strategy isn't just about letting cattle roam; it requires targeted fuel reduction, meaning animals are strategically placed to eat specific grasses and brush, especially in high-risk areas like the wildland urban interface (WUI)—where towns meet the wilderness (SEC. 2). A major focus of this plan is tackling invasive annual grasses, like cheatgrass, which dries out quickly and acts like kindling, spreading fires rapidly across the landscape. The bill allows for temporary grazing permits to specifically target these invasive species, even if it means adjusting the usual timing or herd size (SEC. 2).
For people living near federal forests, this could mean better protection. Instead of relying solely on expensive, time-consuming mechanical clearing or prescribed burns, land managers gain a flexible, low-cost tool. The bill also requires the strategy to explore modern tech, like virtual fencing, which allows managers to quickly shift where the livestock are grazing based on real-time fire risk, ensuring the animals are clearing the right areas at the right time (SEC. 2).
Who Benefits and Who’s Watching
This legislation is a clear win for ranchers and permit holders who might see new opportunities for targeted grazing contracts, especially those focused on invasive species control. It also benefits the federal agencies and fire departments by giving them a new, large-scale method for mitigating risk. However, the bill requires the Secretaries to consult with a massive list of stakeholders—from local governments and Tribes to utility companies and conservation groups—to ensure the strategy doesn't conflict with other land uses (SEC. 2).
The biggest challenge lies in implementation. While the bill insists that grazing must be done in a way that “doesn’t clash with other uses of the land” and follows existing land management plans (SEC. 2), it doesn't clearly spell out what happens if the new wildfire grazing strategy does conflict with an existing environmental plan. For instance, conservation groups are already wary of overgrazing, which can damage sensitive ecosystems. If a new targeted grazing permit is issued to reduce fire risk, but it butts up against habitat protection rules, the bill is vague on which priority wins out. We’ll need to watch closely how the federal agencies balance the immediate need for fuel reduction with long-term ecological health, ensuring this isn't just a loophole for overgrazing under a new name.