Trump Administration Proposes 24 Million-Acre Federal Grazing Expansion, Faces Legal Challenge

The Trump administration, via a March BLM memorandum, proposes cattle grazing on up to 24 million acres of federal lands, including Grand Canyon, Grand Staircase-Escalante and other sensitive landscapes. The Center for Biological Diversity (CBD) filed a notice of intent to sue, alleging the plan skipped ESA review by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The administration has 60 days to respond, after which CBD will seek a court-ordered ESA compliance review.

The Guardian

Federal grazing began in the 20th century; 1930s law permits wildlife services to kill predators threatening livestock. The plan uses emergency authority to fast-track grazing, pledging a “no net loss of Animal Unit Months.” President Donald Trump, BLM, CBD’s Andrea Zaccardi, and PEER’s Chandra Rosenthal are involved.

The Guardian

The plan covers 24 million acres—about 2 % of U.S. beef cattle production. CBD surveys of 2,400 stream miles of endangered-species habitat show damage on roughly half. Over 200 grazing allotments in Arizona and New Mexico show degradation from authorized, unauthorized, trespassing and feral livestock. Cattle threaten riparian vegetation needed for steelhead salmon.

The Guardian

Expanding grazing could raise mortality of gray wolves, Mexican wolves and grizzly bears—species already subject to lethal removal. Riparian loss may raise stream temperatures, further endangering fish. Critics warn the plan will intensify human-predator conflict, creating a “bloodbath” of predator killings.

The Guardian

The BLM declined comment, reiterating a “no net loss of Animal Unit Months” goal and saying the plan will “streamline” and “incorporate beneficial flexibility” for staff. The Trump administration has not issued a response to the lawsuit notice.

The Guardian

CBD says the grazing program is “already a disaster for endangered species” and that expansion will “drive more animals and plants to extinction.” PEER cites “unusual provisions to benefit” agriculture, including immersion training for federal staff on ranchers’ daily decisions, which it says neglects rangeland conditions.

The Guardian

The administration’s “no net loss” claim conflicts with CBD’s evidence of habitat damage. While the plan promises economic benefit—public-land grazing is only 2 % of beef production—the ecological cost remains disputed, and the ESA review outcome is pending.

The Guardian

• “The federal grazing program is already a disaster for endangered species and the places they live,” — Andrea Zaccardi, Carnivore Conservation Legal Director, Center for Biological Diversity

The Guardian

• “Expanding grazing across 24m more acres will make that devastation even worse and likely drive more animals and plants to extinction.” — Andrea Zaccardi

The Guardian

• “The likelihood of this increasing conflict with predators is extremely high,” — Andrea Zaccardi

The Guardian

• “The Trump administration does not appear to care that commercial livestock grazing exacts an enormous toll on native ecosystems and wildlife throughout the American West,” — Chandra Rosenthal, Western Lands and Rocky Mountain Advocate, PEER

The Guardian

If the administration does not answer within 60 days, CBD will ask a judge to order an ESA compliance review, which could halt or modify the grazing expansion.

The Guardian