How can conservationists contend that public lands livestock grazing is not a right?
Grazing permits (and leases) issued under the Taylor Grazing Act (TGA) of 1934 allow the permit holder the privilege to use publicly owned forage. The permits do not give a right to permittees and lessees to graze federal lands. This distinction was intended by Congress in the TGA, 1 articulated in agency regulations, 2 restated in federal grazing policies, 3 confirmed by scholars, 4 and upheld by the Supreme Court as recently as 2000.5 Federal grazing permits/leases are revocable, amendable, non-assignable ten-year licenses to graze that do not convey property rights. Consequently, permittees are not due compensation whenever their grazing privileges are reduced or eliminated. The Voluntary Grazing Permit Buyout Act would not affect federal ownership of grazing permits.
