Federal Agencies Sign MOU to Boost Rancher Resiliency on Public Lands

NCBA and PLC leaders participate in roundtable to address challenges for federal lands grazing permittees

Apr. 2, 2026 at 5:22pm

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The U.S. Department of Agriculture and Department of the Interior have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to launch a new Grazing Action Plan aimed at supporting public lands ranchers. The plan focuses on streamlining the permitting process, expanding grazing access, and optimizing targeted grazing to prevent wildfires. Leaders from the National Cattlemen's Beef Association (NCBA) and Public Lands Council (PLC) participated in a roundtable to discuss the plan and raise critical issues facing ranchers on federal lands.

Why it matters

Public lands ranching plays a vital role in the management and conservation of western landscapes, but ranchers have long faced burdensome federal regulations that make it difficult to operate. This new MOU and Grazing Action Plan aim to provide regulatory relief and support the resilience of this important industry.

The details

The MOU outlines cooperation between the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) and the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) on the Grazing Action Plan, which was released by USDA last year. Key elements of the plan include assessing vacant allotments, unifying permitting frameworks between agencies, expanding the use of targeted grazing to prevent wildfires, and establishing a rancher liaison program for wildfire incident command centers.

  • On Tuesday, April 2, 2026, Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins and Interior Secretary Doug Burgum signed the MOU.
  • The Grazing Action Plan was released by USDA last year.

The players

National Cattlemen's Beef Association (NCBA)

A trade association representing U.S. cattle producers and the beef industry.

Public Lands Council (PLC)

The only national organization solely dedicated to representing the interests of public lands ranchers.

Brooke Rollins

The U.S. Secretary of Agriculture.

Doug Burgum

The U.S. Secretary of the Interior.

Tim Canterbury

The President of the Public Lands Council and a Colorado permittee.

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What they’re saying

“Public lands ranchers are resilient by nature, but we still need significant relief from the burdensome federal regulations that make it harder to do our jobs every day. This MOU will make it easier to ranch on public lands and will help improve the health of western landscapes.”

— Tim Canterbury, PLC President and Colorado permittee

“When you raise cattle on federal lands, it requires a great deal of work to sort through the government red tape. This plan will cut bureaucracy by streamlining the permitting process, expanding grazing access, and optimizing targeted grazing in areas that are the most vulnerable to wildfires.”

— Kim Brackett, NCBA President-elect and Idaho rancher

What’s next

The federal agencies will begin implementing the Grazing Action Plan, including assessing vacant allotments, unifying permitting frameworks, and expanding the use of targeted grazing to prevent wildfires.

The takeaway

This MOU and Grazing Action Plan represent a significant step forward in providing regulatory relief and support for public lands ranchers, who play a vital role in the management and conservation of western landscapes. By streamlining processes and expanding grazing access, the plan aims to boost the resilience of this important industry.