General Congressional Update
Congress spent much of June racing to complete work on budget reconciliation before the July 4 recess. As floor time became increasingly consumed by reconciliation, committees continued considering public lands legislation and began marking up Fiscal Year 2027 appropriations bills that will fund federal land management agencies in the coming year.
Legacy Restoration Fund Reauthorization
In June, Congress made significant progress toward reauthorizing the Legacy Restoration Fund, which was established under the Great American Outdoors Act to address the deferred maintenance backlog across the National Park Service, U.S. Forest Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Bureau of Land Management, and Bureau of Indian Education using revenues from federal energy development. Without congressional action, the fund expireed in September at the end of Fiscal Year 2025.
During the past month, the House Natural Resources Committee advanced H.R. 410, the Great American Outdoors Act 250 Act, while the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee advanced S. 1547, the America the Beautiful Act, after adopting a bipartisan manager's amendment negotiated by Senators Mike Lee and Martin Heinrich. Supporters had hoped to send a final reauthorization bill to the President before the July 4 recess, but Congress ultimately ran out of floor time as attention shifted to budget reconciliation and other legislative priorities.
BHA strongly supports reauthorizing the Legacy Restoration Fund to ensure continued investments in public land infrastructure, including roads, trails, campgrounds, boat ramps, and other facilities that improve access for hunters, anglers, and all public land users. To learn more and support reauthorization, visit BHA's Action Alert here.
BLM Grazing Rule & USDA Grazing Policy
June saw two significant federal actions related to livestock grazing on public lands. First, the BLM's proposed rule to revise federal grazing regulations remained open for public comment through July 13. The proposal would make the first comprehensive revisions to BLM grazing regulations in decades, increasing flexibility for agency officials while reducing some prescriptive administrative requirements and opportunities for public involvement in grazing decisions.
Separately, on June 12, the U.S. Department of Agriculture issued a directive to the U.S. Forest Service aimed at expanding livestock grazing opportunities on National Forest System lands. The directive instructs the agency to prioritize the use of vacant grazing allotments, streamline permit administration, and maximize existing management flexibilities to increase grazing where appropriate.
While these are separate actions affecting different agencies, together they signal a broader Administration effort to increase administrative flexibility and expand livestock grazing opportunities on federal lands. BHA is closely reviewing both actions and has submitted technical comments on the BLM’s proposed rule. While we support science-based, well-managed grazing as an important use of many public lands, we believe successful grazing management depends on science-based decision-making, robust monitoring, meaningful public involvement, and fully staffed federal land management agencies capable of balancing livestock production with healthy fish and wildlife habitat and other multiple-use values.
For more information on the proposed grazing rule or to submit comments, see the Bureau of Land Management's proposed rule in the Federal Register. BLM Grazing Federal Register Notice,
For more information on the U.S. Department of Agriculture directive, see the Department's announcement and accompanying memorandum. USDA Directive
BLM Wilderness Study Areas Manual
In June, the Bureau of Land Management released proposed revisions to BLM Manual 6330, which guides management of Wilderness Study Areas (WSAs). The manual provides direction to field offices on how these congressionally designated areas should be managed until Congress determines their long-term status. The public comment period remains open through August 14, and BHA is reviewing the proposal for potential impacts to wilderness character, public access, and wildlife habitat.
BLM Manual 6330 – Wilderness Study Areas: For more information or to review the proposed revisions to BLM Manual 6330, visit the Bureau of Land Management's policy review page. BLM Manual 6330 policy review
Forest Service Manual & Handbook Rule
The U.S. Forest Service proposed changes to its procedures for adopting and revising agency manuals and handbooks, which contain the agency's official policies and implementation guidance. The proposal would clarify when public notice and comment are required for updates to these documents and revise how the Forest Service implements requirements under the Forest and Rangeland Renewable Resources Planning Act. BHA is reviewing the proposal and its potential implications for public participation in future Forest Service policy development.
Forest Service Directive System Proposed Rule: For more information on the proposed changes to the Forest Service Directive System, including updates to public notice and comment procedures for the Forest Service Manual and Handbook, see the proposed rule in the Federal Register. Federal Register notice
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