Public Rangelands Management Act of 1995

TABLE OF CONTENTS:

Title I: Management of Grazing on Federal Land

Subtitle A: General Provisions

Subtitle B: Qualifications and Grazing Preferences

Subtitle C: Grazing Management

Subtitle D: Authorization of Grazing Use

Subtitle E: Civil Violations and Failures of Compliance

Subtitle F: Unauthorized Grazing Use

Subtitle G: Procedure

Subtitle H: Advisory Committees

Subtitle I: Reports

Title II: Management of National Grasslands

Public Rangelands Management Act of 1995 - Title I: Management of Grazing on Federal Land - Subtitle A: General Provisions - Sets forth findings, objectives, and definitions.

States that land use plans shall manage livestock grazing under the principle of multiple use and sustained yield.

Subtitle B: Qualifications and Grazing Preferences - Requires, in order to qualify for grazing use on Federal land, that an applicant: (1) be in the livestock business; (2) own or control base property; and (3) be a U.S. citizen (or person having filed for citizenship) or an association or corporation authorized to do business in the grazing fee State.

(Sec. 112) States that permittees or leasees of acquired land with an existing permit shall be considered qualified for continued grazing use on such land.

(Sec. 113) Defines base property. Makes permits transferable to a new owner upon loss of ownership or control of the base property.

States that a grazing preference shall include: (1) an historical preference; (2) active use; (3) suspended use; and (4) voluntary and temporary nonuse. Provides for grazing preference transfers.

(Sec. 114) Authorizes changes in preference status. Provides for the temporary and sustained-use apportionment of additional forage. Permits temporary grazing suspension to facilitate: (1) recovery from drought or fire; or (2) range improvements. Permits long-term grazing suspension where active use causes an unacceptable pattern of utilization or exceeds the land's livestock carrying capacity. Establishes a five-year phase-in period for active use changes exceeding ten percent.

(Sec. 115) Sets forth provisions for increases or decreases in Federal land acreage, including apportionment, notice, and compensation.

Subtitle C: Grazing Management - Directs the Secretary of Agriculture or the Secretary of the Interior (jointly referred to subsequently as the Secretary) to develop allotment management plans in consultation with the lessees, permittees, and landowners, the States, and the Resource Advisory Councils and Grazing Advisory Boards (established by this Act).

(Sec. 122) Authorizes the Secretary to enter into permittee range improvement cooperative agreements. Prohibits a person from removing a range improvement without appropriate authorization. Provides compensation for loss of range improvements.

(Sec. 123) Prohibits monitoring or inspection of grazing compliance except by permittees, qualified personnel, or qualified consultants retained by the permittee or the United States.

(Sec. 124) States that no water rights on Federal land shall be acquired or transferred in connection with grazing other than in accordance with applicable State law.

Subtitle D: Authorization of Grazing Use - Requires grazing applications to be filed at local Bureau of Land Management or Forest Service offices.

(Sec. 132) States that grazing permits or leases shall be issued for 15-year terms unless the Secretary determines that land management or public purpose require shorter leases.

(Sec. 133) Authorizes the issuance of one-year free-use grazing permits for qualifying family-use applicants. Prohibits such permit's transfer or assignment.

(Sec. 134) Authorizes: (1) exchange-of-use grazing agreements; (2) nonrenewable grazing permits and leases; (3) crossing permits; and (4) special grazing permits and leases.

(Sec. 135) States that: (1) permittees shall be responsible for livestock management; (2) authorized users shall comply with State livestock identification requirements; and (3) permittees who control but do not own the livestock shall file the control agreement and identification information with the appropriate officer.

(Sec. 137) Establishes a grazing fee based upon the gross value of livestock (beef cattle) production. Defines "animal unit month." Exempts from fee consideration certain young animals born of an animal on which a grazing fee is paid.

(Sec. 138) Permits the renewal of a grazing permit or lease pledged as security for a loan if such loan is for the furtherance of livestock operations.

Subtitle E: Civil Violations and Failures of Compliance - Sets forth civil sanctions for specified acts of noncompliance.

Subtitle F: Unauthorized Grazing Use - Specifies damages for unauthorized grazing use, including livestock impoundment and sale.

Subtitle G: Procedure - Sets forth specified grazing permit or lease procedures.

Subtitle H: Advisory Committees - Directs the Secretary to establish and operate Resource Advisory Councils on a regional, State, or planning area level to provide the Bureau of Land Management with land management advice.

(Sec. 177) Directs the Secretary, upon the petition of livestock permittees and lessees, to establish Grazing Advisory Boards in specified large-area Western State district offices.

Subtitle I: Reports - Directs the Secretary to report annually to the Congress regarding grazing revenues, costs, and rangeland management.

Title II: Management of National Grasslands - National Grasslands Management Act of 1995 - Amends the Forest and Rangeland Renewable Resources Planning Act of 1974 to remove National Grasslands and land utilization projects from National Forest System management.

(Sec. 205) Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to manage the National Grasslands as a separate entity.

Amends the Bankhead-Jones Farm Tenant Act to provide for a program of land conservation and utilization to accomplish livestock grazing purposes.