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Reduce Livestock Stocking Rate on Public Lands
My request is that Congress amend the 2025 budget allocation to direct the Department of Interior, Bureau of Land Management to reduction in carbon emissions from cattle industry use of public lands. Globally, cattle are responsible for 14.5 percent of greenhouse gas emissions. The US Taxpayer is heavily subsidizing the cattle industry using western public lands for grazing.
These subsidies take the form of privileged lease rates, far below commercial grazing leasing and only available to an elite few ranchers in just thirteen states. These subsidies are in the form of privileged use of the US public lands to obtain business loans using the grazing lease as collateral. These subsidies include minimal renewal processing – usually just a white wash rather than an auditable review.
What it TAKES is a congressperson willing to put an amendment on the appropriations legislation to fund Department of Interior, Bureau of Land management must carry the language:
"Congress directs the Bureau of Land Management to lower the livestock stocking rate on public lands so that sustainable environmental conditions are achieved. Significant reduction in carbon emissions from cattle industry use of public lands must be reported to Congress annually ahead of / or associated with the agency budget request”
Decrease the number of livestock allowed to graze on public lands.
My plea is for Congress to revise the 2025 budget allocation to instruct the Department of Interior, Bureau of Land Management to decrease carbon emissions stemming from the cattle industry's utilization of public lands. Globally, cattle contribute to 14.5 percent of greenhouse gas emissions. US taxpayers are subsidizing the cattle industry significantly by allowing privileged access to western public lands for grazing purposes.
These subsidies come in the form of preferential lease rates, well below market norms and only accessible to a select few ranchers in thirteen states. The privileges include using public lands as collateral to secure business loans, with minimal renewal procedures in place - often merely superficial rather than undergoing a thorough audit.
What is needed is a courageous member of Congress who is willing to introduce an amendment to the appropriations legislation, stipulating that the Department of Interior, Bureau of Land Management must implement the following directive:
"Congress instructs the Bureau of Land Management to reduce the number of livestock allowed to graze on public lands to establish sustainable environmental conditions. Annual reports on the substantial reduction in carbon emissions resulting from the cattle industry's use of public lands must be submitted to Congress prior to, or together with, the agency's budget request."
Decrease the Number of Livestock Grazing on Public Lands
It is urgent that Congress reconsiders the budget allocation for 2025 to task the Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management with implementing measures to reduce carbon emissions stemming from the cattle industry's utilization of public lands. The environmental impact of cattle, responsible for 14.5% of global greenhouse gas emissions, warrants immediate attention.
Moreover, the considerable taxpayer subsidies provided to the cattle industry for grazing on western public lands is a matter of concern. These privileges, such as preferential lease rates available to select ranchers in only thirteen states, significantly skew market dynamics and impose a heavy financial burden on taxpayers. The absence of stringent oversight and review processes further exacerbates this issue, with lease renewals often lacking in transparency and accountability.
To address these pressing issues effectively, it is imperative for a dedicated congressperson to introduce an amendment to the appropriations legislation. This amendment should stipulate that the Bureau of Land Management lower livestock stocking rates on public lands to ensure sustainable environmental conditions are maintained. Additionally, the amendment should mandate the annual reporting of substantial reductions in carbon emissions resulting from the cattle industry's activities on public lands to Congress, aligning with the agency's budget request timelines.
Decrease the grazing intensity of livestock on public lands.
My call to action is for lawmakers to revise the 2025 budget allocation to instruct the Department of Interior, specifically the Bureau of Land Management, to tackle the issue of carbon emissions originating from the cattle industry's utilization of public lands. Globally, cattle contribute to a substantial 14.5 percent of greenhouse gas emissions. It is essential to highlight that the American taxpayer is heavily subsidizing the cattle industry's use of western public lands for grazing. These subsidies come in the form of preferential lease rates well below commercial standards, benefiting only a select group of ranchers in a limited number of states.
The current system allows for the exploitation of these public lands, offering grazing leases that serve as collateral for business loans, with minimal oversight or review processes. These subsidies must be reassessed to reflect the true environmental impact and ensure sustainable practices are put in place. It is imperative for a congressperson to introduce an amendment to the appropriations legislation that explicitly directs the Bureau of Land Management to reduce livestock stocking rates on public lands. This reduction aims to achieve environmentally sustainable conditions and report significant cuts in carbon emissions resulting from the cattle industry's use of public lands to Congress annually, aligning with the agency's budget request. Let's strive for accountability and environmental stewardship in managing our public resources effectively.