GRAZING RIGHTS ON FEDERAL LAND - IN SIMPLE

GRAZING RIGHTS ON FEDERAL LAND - IN SIMPLE

By Roni Bell 2026

When it comes to livestock grazing rights on federal land, it’s easy to get confused and tangled up in “government speak” versus “layperson speak.”

Example: The business of BLM and Forest Service agents includes paperwork administration, policy and goal making, keeping track of AUMs, permits, etc.

Government does not have the authority to “manage” a livestock grower’s private boots-on-the-ground business of “day-to-day livestock operations.”

Livestock grower knows when to rotate their grazing pastures and handle their stock so they can bring a premier animal to market.

In Simple: Livestock growers never abuse their livestock or land and water resources.

It appears the confusion began with the 1934 Taylor Grazing Act. So I’ll begin there.
Taylor Grazing Act of 1934 (TGA) did not extinguish any livestock grazing right established prior to 1934. 

In Simple: Never threaten or accuse government agent. If they demand you: “Sign permit, deduct AUM’s, turn out and bring in your livestock etc.”  respond with: My historic settlement date is _____.  My highest historic AUM numbers are _ _ _ _. Please provide your ask in writing, the statute you believe gives you the authority and your Just Compensation arrangements.”

Entities with said Pre-existing Range Grazing Units or Allotments are recognized by several names including Range Allotment Owner (RAO).

In Simple: Livestock grazing is NOT on “public” land. It is on “Federal” (Split Estate) and deeded land. 

RAO owns real “surface” property on Federal Lands. Surface property includes beneficial use of water, easements, rights-of-way, range improvements, forage and other property interests created under Federal Statutory Grants. Properties are protected by 18 federal statutes starting with the Act of 1866 and ending with the National Forest Management Act NFMA of October 22, 1976.

In Simple: Grazing applicants after 1934 may apply for a permit.  Pre-existing Range Allotment Owners are exempt.

Under the Acts of 1866 (Sections 8 & 9) the Livestock Reservoir Site Act (1897), Stock-Raising Homestead Act (1916), and FLPMA (1976), RAO’s have “vested, valid, senior, pre-existing, compensable” private property interest in their grazing allotments/units.

In Simple and Most Important: Pre-1934 Rights of Range Grazing Property/Rights have NEVER been extinguished!

Summary: Your "valid, pre-existing, vested, senior, compensable" Property Rights on Federal Land have never been extinguished.