The Taylor Grazing Act[1] is a United States federal law enacted in 1934 that regulates grazing on federal public land. The act was named for Edward T. Taylor, a congressman from Colorado. The Secretary of the Interior has the authority to handle all of the regulations, and he became responsible for establishing grazing districts. Before these districts are created there must be a hearing held by the state.

These can be vacant, unappropriated, and unreserved land from public lands, all except for Alaska, national forests, parks, monuments, Indian reservations, railroad grant lands, and revested Coos Bay Wagon Road grant lands. Surrounding land owners may be granted right of passage over these districts. Permits are given for grazing privileges in the districts. Also permits can be given to build fences, reservoirs, and other improvements.

The permittees are required to pay a fee, and the permit cannot exceed ten years but is renewable. Permits can be revoked due to severe drought or other natural disasters that deplete grazing lands.

History

During the administration of President Herbert Hoover, it became clear that federal regulation of public land use was needed. Since vast portions were used for livestock grazing, the importance of range management loomed large.

Congressman Don B. Colton of Utah introduced a bill to create grazing districts, but the bill failed to pass the US Senate. In 1933, Representative Taylor re-introduced the Colton bill as the Taylor bill. This bill set up the grazing bureau or service in the Department of Interior to administer the range lands.[2] The Grazing Service, was merged with the General Land Office in 1946 to form the Bureau of Land Management

Cases studies by Phillip O. Foss of the role of local grazing advisory committees established by the Taylor Grazing Act in regulating the grazing of livestock on federal public lands found that such committees were often dominated by the same ranchers and cattlemen whose activities were supposed to be regulated,[3][4][5] raising questions as to whether grazing regulation had been "captured" by the regulated interests.

References

  1. ^ 43 U.S. Code ยงยง 315-316o
  2. ^ Steen, Harold K. The United States Forest Service A History University of Washington Press, 1976, p. 205 ISBN 0-295-95523-6
  3. ^ Foss, Phillip O. The Grazing Fee Dilemma. University, AL: University of Alabama Press, 1960.
  4. ^ Foss, Phillip O. Politics and Grass. Seattle: University of Washington Press, 1960.
  5. ^ Foss, Phillip O. The Battle of Soldier Creek. University, AL: University of Alabama Press, 1961.

External links

Categories: 1934 in law | United States federal public land legislation

 

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