Utilizing grazing for wildfire risk reduction

(a)

Definitions

In this section:(1)

National forest system

The term National Forest System has the meaning given the term in section 11(a) of the Forest and Rangeland Renewable Resources Planning Act of 1974 (16 U.S.C. 1609(a)).(2)

Public lands

The term public lands has the meaning given the term in section 103 of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (43 U.S.C. 1702).(3)

Secretary concerned

The term Secretary concerned means—(A)the Secretary of Agriculture, with respect to National Forest System land; and(B)the Secretary of the Interior, with respect to public lands.(b)

Strategy

(1)

In general

Not later than 18 months after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary concerned, in coordination with holders of permits to graze livestock on Federal land under the jurisdiction of the Secretary concerned and in consultation with other relevant stakeholders described in paragraph (3), shall develop a strategy to utilize livestock grazing as a wildfire risk reduction tool consistent with the laws applicable to the Secretary concerned.(2)

Considerations

The strategy developed under paragraph (1) shall consider—(A)the use of grazing on vacant grazing allotments during instances of drought, wildfire, or other natural disasters that disrupt grazing on allotments already permitted;(B)the use of targeted grazing to reduce hazardous fuels, including on Federal land within the wildland urban interface (as defined in section 101 of the Healthy Forests Restoration Act of 2003 (16 U.S.C. 6511)), and other critical areas identified by the Secretaries concerned;(C)recommending the use of targeted grazing when providing technical assistance to communities and Indian Tribes in their efforts to reduce wildfire risk and implement wildfire management strategies;(D)the use of temporary permits to promote targeted fuels reduction and reduction of cheatgrass and other invasive annual grasses, including any potential need for the use of grazing outside permitted animal unit months and season of use, as appropriate for the explicit purposes of targeted fuels reduction of cheatgrass and other invasive annual grasses;(E)the use of targeted grazing to aid in controlling invasive annual grasses, including cheatgrass;(F)the use of targeted grazing in postfire recovery efforts, as appropriate;(G)an integrated use of advanced technologies such as virtual fencing to dynamically adjust livestock placement;(H)the use of grazing on Federal land in a manner that—(i)avoids conflicts with other uses of that Federal land; and(ii)is consistent with any applicable land management plan;(I)a workforce development plan to ensure that Federal workers have the necessary skills to manage livestock grazing programs and deploy technologies;(J)the use of cooperative agreements with States, local governments, Indian Tribes, and local firefighting agencies to reduce hazardous fuels and invasive annual grasses, including reimbursements authorized under other provisions of law, including under good neighbor agreements under section 8206 of the Agricultural Act of 2014 (16 U.S.C. 2113a); and(K)other applicable statutory or regulatory authorities, as determined by the Secretary concerned.(3)

Consultation

In developing the strategy under paragraph (1), the Secretary concerned shall consult with—(A)applicable States;(B)applicable units of local government;(C)applicable Indian Tribes;(D)applicable utility authorities;(E)applicable firefighting agencies;(F)land management organizations;(G)outdoor recreation, conservation, and sportsmen organizations; and(H)other interested members of the applicable community.(c)

Effect on existing grazing programs

Nothing in this section affects any livestock grazing program being carried out as of the date of enactment of this Act by the Secretary concerned.