43 U.S.C. § 1902: Definitions

Summary

Defines key words used for managing livestock grazing on public lands in the sixteen contiguous Western States. Rangelands or public rangelands: lands run by the Secretary of the Interior (BLM) or the Secretary of Agriculture (Forest Service) in those sixteen states where domestic livestock graze or could be suitable for grazing. Allotment management plan: same meaning as in section 1702(k) of this title, but used for the sixteen Western states. Grazing permit and lease: any document that allows use of public lands or national forest lands in the sixteen states for grazing domestic livestock. Range condition: the land’s quality shown by its soil, forage (seasonal or year‑round), wildlife habitat, watershed, plant communities, and how current vegetation compares to the site’s potential. Native vegetation: plant species or communities native to an area that indicate a healthy, productive range. Range improvement: any activity on rangelands to boost forage, change plants, control use, provide water, stabilize soil and water, or make habitat, including structures, treatment projects, or mechanical methods. Court ordered environmental impact statement: environmental statements the Secretary of the Interior must prepare under the final judgment (or later changes) in Natural Resources Defense Council v. Andrus dated June 18, 1975. Secretary: unless the law says otherwise, means the Secretary of the Interior. The sixteen contiguous Western States are Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Kansas, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming.

Title 43, §1902

Public Lands, Source: USLM XML via OLRC

As used in this chapter—

(a)The terms “rangelands” or “public rangelands” means lands administered by the Secretary of the Interior through the Bureau of Land Management or the Secretary of Agriculture through the Forest Service in the sixteen contiguous Western States on which there is domestic livestock grazing or which the Secretary concerned determines may be suitable for domestic livestock grazing.

(b)The term “allotment management plan” is the same as defined in section 1702(k) of this title, except that as used in this chapter such term applies to the sixteen contiguous Western States.

(c)The term “grazing permit and lease” means any document authorizing use of public lands or lands in national forests in the sixteen contiguous Western States for the purpose of grazing domestic livestock.

(d)The term “range condition” means the quality of the land reflected in its ability in specific vegetative areas to support various levels of productivity in accordance with range management objectives and the land use planning process, and relates to soil quality, forage values (whether seasonal or year round), wildlife habitat, watershed and plant communities, the present state of vegetation of a range site in relation to the potential plant community for that site, and the relative degree to which the kinds, proportions, and amounts of vegetation in a plant community resemble that of the desired community for that site.

(e)The term “native vegetation” means those plant species, communities, or vegetative associations which are endemic to a given area and which would normally be identified with a healthy and productive range condition occurring as a result of the natural vegetative process of the area.

(f)The term “range improvement” means any activity or program on or relating to rangelands which is designed to improve production of forage; change vegetative composition; control patterns of use; provide water; stabilize soil and water conditions; and provide habitat for livestock and wildlife. The term includes, but is not limited to, structures, treatment projects, and use of mechanical means to accomplish the desired results.

(g)The term “court ordered environmental impact statement” means any environmental statements which are required to be prepared by the Secretary of the Interior pursuant to the final judgment or subsequent modification thereof as set forth on June 18, 1975, in the matter of Natural Resources Defense Council against Andrus.

(h)The term “Secretary” unless specifically designated otherwise, means the Secretary of the Interior.

(i)The term “sixteen contiguous Western States” means the States of Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Kansas, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming.

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Editorial Notes

References in Text

This chapter, referred to in opening provision and in subsec. (b), was in the original “this Act”, meaning Pub. L. 95–514, Oct. 25, 1978, 92 Stat. 1803, which enacted this chapter and amended section 1739 and 1751 to 1753 of this title and section 1332 and 1333 of Title 16, Conservation. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see

Short Title

note set out under section 1901 of this title and Tables.

§1902 Definitions