BLM to relax grazing rules

Bureau of Land Management will announce proposed rule changes this month to relax some rules governing ranchers who have grazing allotments on public lands.

The changes are billed as providing more flexibility for resource managers, ranchers and conservation groups.

Among the changes is a plan to designate a new type of grazing unit called a reserve common allotment, on which a rancher could graze livestock while his normal allotment undergoes range improvements. That would provide an alternative source of forage while the rancher's regular range area recovers from grazing.

Another change would allow a permit holder to rest a piece of land for up to five years without losing the allotment, instead of just three years.

The plan would reinstate provisions allowing BLM and a grazing permittee to share title to range improvements including fences, wells and pipelines when they are built under a cooperative agreement.

And the plan would clarify that BLM will follow state law in acquiring water rights.

All of the changes are being sought by ranchers. The proposals will be formally announced in the Federal Register this month then the public will have 60 days to comment on them.