The Montana Stockgrowers Association (MSGA) has submitted comments to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) supporting the proposed rescission of the 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule, commonly known as the 2001 Roadless Rule. MSGA represents ranchers who manage livestock on private, state and federal lands and has a long-standing interest in the management of public lands across the West.
MSGA’s comments support rescinding the rule to reduce regulatory burdens and provide land managers with greater flexibility to address the unique needs of individual landscapes. The organization emphasized the need for increased forest management and fuels reduction in Montana, noting that improved access can support fuels reduction projects and initial wildfire attack, helping reduce catastrophic fire impacts on wildlife habitat, private property, and state lands.
MSGA has consistently advocated for local control and opposed one-size-fits-all approaches to land management. The organization expressed support for the rescission’s emphasis on local, place-based decision-making and looks forward to opportunities to collaborate with USDA, USFS and local land managers as the process moves forward.
“Montana ranchers understand that healthy forests are essential to healthy landscapes and rural communities,” said MSGA Executive Vice President Raylee Honeycutt. “Rescinding this rule gives land managers more flexibility to improve forest health, reduce hazardous fuels, and address the needs of individual landscapes. It also creates opportunities for ranchers and land managers to work together on solutions that benefit both the landscape and the livestock operations that depend on it.”
MSGA also highlighted the potential for increased forest management and improved access to help the U.S. Forest Service evaluate and reopen vacant grazing allotments at the local level. Ranchers who rely on federal grazing permits continue to be impacted by lost Animal Unit Months (AUMs) when allotments become vacant, inaccessible or unusable following catastrophic wildfires. Increased grazing opportunities can also help reduce fine fuels and support land health objectives.
To learn more about the Montana Stockgrowers Association, visit www.mtbeef.org.
The Montana Stockgrowers Association is a grassroots membership organization and is the trusted voice of cattle ranchers. With over 140 years of history, MSGA advocates and ensures cattle ranching remains relevant, safe and a sustainable way of life for generations to come.
MEDIA CONTACT
Keni Reese Lairy
Director of Marketing & Communications
(406) 442-3420
To view more MSGA news, visit https://mtbeef.org/news/
