Rangeland and Grazing

Why does the Forest Service permit livestock grazing on National Forest System lands?

The Forest Service supports livestock grazing on National Forests and Grasslands. We believe that livestock grazing on these lands, if responsibly done, provides a valuable resource to the livestock owners as well as the American people.

While the Forest Reserves were originally established to protect timberlands and watersheds, it was recognized early in the history of the Reserves (later National Forests) that grazing was a legitimate use. In 1897, Congress authorized the newly formed Forest Service to regulate grazing and permit it if it did not injure forest growth. The agency's controls (permits, herd size, allotments, season of use) were attempts to protect the resource and prevent the monopolization by large outfits (Rowley 1985).

The Forest Service has supported controlled livestock grazing since the early days of the agency.

Laws, Regulations, and Policies

Laws, regulations, and policies direct Forest Service rangeland management. Policies are the Forest Service's rules defining rangelands management and are documented in agency manuals and handbooks. Follow this link to Forest Service National Rangeland Management website with the information, laws, regulations, and policies that govern rangeland management for the Forest Service and the Intermountain Region.