Land Board approves scoping and rulemaking to clarify grazing leases and stocking rates; ranchers and conservationists weigh in

The State Board of Land Commissioners voted to begin public scoping and initiate rulemaking on grazing leases and stocking rates at its April meeting.

Director Castor asked the board to approve agenda item 0426‑5, authorizing DNRC to initiate a 30‑day public scoping process for a proposed land‑board policy that would guide issuance of grazing leases and licenses to production livestock while also factoring the board’s fiduciary duties. If approved, DNRC will collect public comments, revise the draft as appropriate, and return to the board with a final proposal. The Montana Stockgrowers Association, represented by Raley Honeycutt, told the board the association supports moving forward and expects the process will provide clarity for ranchers who graze state land.

The board also approved agenda item 0426‑6 to initiate rulemaking to amend the surface management rules (36.25.102 and 36.25.127) and adopt a new rule pertaining to grazing administration and management, including addressing the absence of bison in existing provisions. The DNRC said the rulemaking would include a proposal notice filed with the secretary of state’s office, a 30‑day comment period and a public hearing.

Becky Williams of American Prairie urged the board and agency to determine and disclose the proposed policy’s likely revenue impacts — including any chilling effect on competitive bidding — and to explain the agency’s method for estimating those impacts before moving further so the public could offer meaningful comments. Williams said the draft policy’s revenue impacts were unknown in the packet and asked that the board and agency analyze and disclose that information prior to scoping.

After public comment the board moved and approved both items; motions passed unanimously.