My request is that you openly challenge the misconception that in the United States that the structure of grazing rates, subsidies and using Federal land as private loan collateral is appropriate. Challenge the Department of Interior logic that bending to the pressure of the public lands and ranching lobby is appropriate management for public lands. Challenge the BLM allegation that Wild horses and burros cause ecological and economic damage. These mis-statements are not facts. The actions of the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and the US Forest Service (USFS) have caused damage to public lands environmental health. By allowing overgrazing to significantly increase the fuel load for wildfires both agencies have endangered private and public property and are contributing to overwhelming fire insurance costs to the taxpayer. This is to request you work with your fellow legislators and move to direct the Department of Interior, both BLM and USFS to significantly reduce the stocking rate of cattle and sheep on public lands. To remediate this ongoing failure of management the Department of Interior (DOI) Congress must require the DOI to lower the rate at which cattle and sheep are allowed to graze on public lands. The quantity of reduction needs to produce a 10 percent improvement in range health assessment by 01 October 2027. The program must then incrementally produce an additional 10 percent reduction for the five consecutive years following until a minimum of 90 percent These agencies are ignoring hard evidence of the harm their programs are causing in order to accommodate pressure from lobbyists. For far too long the programs in place supporting public lands ranching have harmed the taxpayer inn favor of a few, elite, wealthy ranching corporations. These accommodations must be stopped. Proposed Directive The Committee recognizes that nearly 50 percent of all public lands administered by the Bureau of Land Management fail to meet their own environmental health standards. To correct this the Committee establishes a goal that for 2026, 2027, 2028 and 2029 the failure to meet environmental standards shall be decreased by 10 percent each year. The Department of the Interior shall provide the Committees on Appropriations of the House of Representatives and Senate quarterly reports on the status of balances of projects and activities under the heading of RANGE IMPROVEMENTS For rehabilitation, protection, and acquisition of lands and interests therein, and improvement of Federal rangelands pursuant to section 401 of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (43 U.S.C. 1751). Notwithstanding any other Act, sums equal to 50 percent of all moneys received during the prior fiscal year and through 2029 under sections 3 and 15 of the Taylor Grazing Act (43 U.S.C.2 315b, 315m) and the amount designated for range improvements from grazing fees pursuant to law, but not less than $10,000,000, to remain available until expended: Provided, That not to exceed $600,000 shall be available for administrative expenses. The Bureau of Land Management shall initiate steps to rapidly reduce stocking rates for cattle and sheep on public lands. For livestock grazing on public lands during the 2025 Grazing Fee Year (March 1, 2025, through February 28, 2026) the fee shall be set at $10.00 animal unit month (AUM) None of the funds made available in this act, in this, past and future fiscal years may be reprogrammed without the advance approval of the House and Senate Committees on Appropriations in accordance with the reprogramming procedures contained in the report accompanying this Act. Unless otherwise provided herein, no funds appropriated in this Act nor the receipts for grazing fees may be expended for the continued management of grazing beyond the limits specified herein.

I urge you to take a stand against the misconceptions surrounding grazing rates, subsidies, and the use of federal land as private loan collateral in the United States. It's time to challenge the Department of Interior's decision to succumb to pressure from the public lands and ranching lobby, which is not appropriate management for public lands. We must question the Bureau of Land Management's claim that wild horses and burros cause ecological and economic damage, as these statements are not based on facts. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and the US Forest Service (USFS) have unfortunately caused damage to the environmental health of public lands by allowing overgrazing to escalate the fuel load for wildfires, putting both private and public property at risk. This situation has led to overwhelming fire insurance costs for taxpayers. It is crucial for legislators to collaborate and push for the reduction of cattle and sheep stocking rates on public lands. Let's work together to address the ongoing mismanagement by directing the Department of Interior, specifically BLM and USFS, to significantly reduce the number of cattle and sheep grazing on public lands. This reduction should aim to improve range health assessment by 10 percent by October 1, 2027, with an additional 10 percent reduction each year for the following five years until a minimum of 90 percent is reached. It is evident that these agencies are neglecting the damage caused by their programs to accommodate lobbyists. The interests of a few wealthy ranching corporations should not take precedence over public lands and taxpayers. We must put an end to these harmful practices and demand accountability. I propose the establishment of a goal to decrease the failure of public lands to meet environmental health standards by 10 percent each year from 2026 to 2029. The Department of the Interior should provide regular reports to the House and Senate Appropriations Committees on the progress of range improvements, rehabilitation, protection, and acquisition of lands under the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976. Furthermore, I suggest redirecting a portion of funds received under the Taylor Grazing Act and grazing fees towards range improvements, with a focus on reducing cattle and sheep stocking rates on public lands. Any reprogramming of funds should require approval from the House and Senate Committees on Appropriations. Let us ensure that no funds are used for the continued management of grazing beyond specified limits, and take decisive action to promote the sustainability and health of our public lands. It is time to prioritize responsible stewardship over special interests.

It is important to address and challenge misconceptions and mismanagement of public lands in the United States. The current practices of grazing rates, subsidies, and use of Federal land as private loan collateral need to be re-evaluated for the betterment of public lands and their environmental health. The Department of Interior's decision to bend to the pressure of public lands and ranching lobby for management decisions must be questioned. Similarly, the Bureau of Land Management's claims that wild horses and burros cause ecological and economic damage require scrutiny as they may not be based on factual information. It is evident that the actions of the Bureau of Land Management and the US Forest Service have led to environmental degradation and increased wildfire risks due to overgrazing on public lands. This poses a threat to both private and public properties, resulting in soaring fire insurance costs for taxpayers. To rectify this mismanagement, it is imperative for legislators to collaborate and direct the Department of Interior to reduce the stocking rate of cattle and sheep on public lands. This reduction should be substantial enough to see a noticeable improvement in the health of the land. Additionally, steps must be taken to halt the undue influence of lobbyists and elite ranching corporations on public lands management. A proposed directive should be established to hold agencies accountable for meeting environmental health standards on public lands. Regular reporting to Congress on range improvements and appropriations will ensure transparency and progress in addressing the issues at hand. The Bureau of Land Management should swiftly implement measures to decrease stocking rates for livestock on public lands, with grazing fees adjusted accordingly to reflect sustainable practices. It is crucial that allocated funds are used appropriately and not redirected without proper approval to ensure effective management of public lands. In conclusion, it is time to prioritize the well-being of public lands and address the mismanagement that has persisted for too long. By enacting meaningful changes and holding agencies accountable, we can work towards a more sustainable and responsible approach to managing our precious public lands.

I urge you to challenge the misinformation surrounding grazing rates, subsidies, and the use of Federal land as private loan collateral in the United States. The Department of Interior's decision to cater to the public lands and ranching lobby is not appropriate management for public lands. We must also question the BLM's claim that wild horses and burros are causing ecological and economic damage, as these are not factual statements. The Bureau of Land Management and the US Forest Service have significantly damaged the environmental health of public lands by allowing overgrazing to increase the risk of wildfires, putting both private and public property at risk. This mismanagement has led to overwhelming fire insurance costs for taxpayers. It is crucial for legislators to collaborate and take action to direct the Department of Interior, specifically the BLM and USFS, to decrease the stocking rate of cattle and sheep on public lands. We need to implement a plan that aims to improve range health assessment by reducing the stocking rate by at least 10% every year until a minimum of 90% reduction is achieved. We cannot continue to ignore the evidence of harm caused by these programs to appease lobbying pressures. The programs supporting public lands ranching have favored a few wealthy ranching corporations at the expense of taxpayers for too long, and this must be addressed. I propose that a directive is established to ensure that public lands meet environmental health standards by decreasing failures by 10% each year from 2026 to 2029. The Department of the Interior should provide regular reports to the House of Representatives and Senate Appropriations Committees on the status of range improvement projects. It is essential to take immediate steps to decrease stocking rates for cattle and sheep on public lands, starting with setting the grazing fee at $10.00 animal unit month for the 2025 Grazing Fee Year. Reprogramming of funds should be subject to approval by appropriate committees, with strict limitations on expenditures for grazing management beyond specified limits. Let's work together to protect our public lands and ensure sustainable management practices for the benefit of all.

I urge you to critically assess the prevailing notion that the current system of grazing rates, subsidies, and the use of Federal land as private loan collateral in the United States is justifiable. It is imperative to challenge the Department of Interior's decision-making process, particularly when it comes to yielding to the demands of public lands and ranching lobbyists. The Bureau of Land Management's claims regarding the detrimental effects of wild horses and burros on both ecology and economy are not substantiated by factual evidence. The irresponsible actions taken by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and the US Forest Service (USFS) have significantly compromised the environmental health of our public lands, leading to increased wildfire risks and subsequent financial burdens on taxpayers. I implore you to collaborate with your colleagues in Congress to push for a substantial reduction in the stocking rates of cattle and sheep on public lands. It is essential to mandate the Department of Interior to decrease these rates in a manner that ensures a 10 percent enhancement in range health assessment by October 1, 2027. Subsequently, the reduction should progress by an additional 10 percent annually for five consecutive years until reaching a minimum of 90 percent. These agencies must not turn a blind eye to the detrimental impacts of their practices in order to cater to special interests. It is time to put an end to these harmful concessions that benefit a select few wealthy ranching corporations at the expense of taxpayers. I propose a directive that acknowledges the failure of nearly half of the public lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management to meet environmental health standards. The directive should set forth targets for decreasing this failure rate by 10 percent annually for the years 2026 to 2029. Additionally, the Department of Interior should provide quarterly reports to the House of Representatives and Senate Committees on Appropriations regarding the status of RANGE IMPROVEMENT projects and activities. A portion of the funds received under the Taylor Grazing Act should be allocated towards range improvements on Federal rangelands. It is crucial for the Bureau of Land Management to take immediate steps to reduce stocking rates of cattle and sheep on public lands. Setting a grazing fee of $10.00 per animal unit month for the 2025 Grazing Fee Year can be a significant step in the right direction. Let us ensure that no funds allocated for grazing management exceed the specified limits without prior approval from the House and Senate Committees on Appropriations. Together, we must work towards sustainable practices that prioritize the preservation of public lands for the benefit of all.

I urge you to challenge the misconceptions and flawed practices surrounding grazing rates, subsidies, and the use of Federal land as private loan collateral in the United States. It is crucial to question the Department of Interior's decisions to cater to the public lands and ranching lobby at the expense of proper management of public lands. The allegations made by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) against wild horses and burros causing ecological and economic damage must be critically examined, as they are not based on factual evidence. The detrimental impact of overgrazing on public lands' environmental health by the BLM and the US Forest Service cannot be overlooked. By allowing excessive grazing to escalate the wildfire risk, these agencies are jeopardizing both private and public properties, leading to escalating fire insurance costs borne by taxpayers. To address this management failure, it is imperative for legislators to collaborate and compel the Department of Interior, including the BLM and USFS, to significantly decrease the stocking rate of cattle and sheep on public lands. A reduction in grazing intensity must be enforced to achieve a 10 percent enhancement in range health assessment by October 1, 2027. Subsequently, further incremental reductions should be implemented over the following five years until a minimum of a 90 percent reduction is attained. The practices favoring a few wealthy ranching corporations over the well-being of public lands and taxpayers must be halted. The proposed directive emphasizes the urgent need to rectify the failure to meet environmental standards on public lands managed by the BLM. Quarterly reports on range improvements should be submitted by the Department of the Interior to the House of Representatives and Senate Appropriations Committees. To fund range rehabilitation, protection, and acquisition projects, a portion of moneys received under the Taylor Grazing Act and grazing fees must be allocated, ensuring a minimum of $10,000,000 remains available until expended. Immediate measures should be taken by the Bureau of Land Management to swiftly reduce stocking rates for cattle and sheep on public lands. The grazing fee per animal unit month for the 2025 Grazing Fee Year should be fixed at $10.00 to regulate livestock grazing effectively. Any reprogramming of funds for grazing management requires prior approval from the House and Senate Appropriations Committees. It is essential to enforce the stipulated limits and restrictions on grazing management to safeguard public lands effectively and ensure sustainable environmental health for future generations.