Story perspectives

Investigation Reveals Flaws in Federal Grazing System

12/2/2025

Summary

Story summary

ProPublica and High Country News conducted an investigation into the federal public-lands grazing system using government documents and data from more than 100 public records requests, focusing on the largest public-lands ranchers across several Western states.
The analysis compared the financial benefits ranchers receive from federal allotments versus private grazing.
It also examined the Bureau of Land Management's growing use of legal exemptions to bypass environmental reviews for grazing permits.

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Story summary

ProPublica and High Country News conducted an investigation into the federal public-lands grazing system using government documents and data from more than 100 public records requests, focusing on the largest public-lands ranchers across several Western states.
The analysis compared the financial benefits ranchers receive from federal allotments versus private grazing.
It also examined the Bureau of Land Management's growing use of legal exemptions to bypass environmental reviews for grazing permits.