PLC works to support and maintain livestock grazing on public lands by advocating for and educating decision makers of the many values livestock grazing contributes to our natural resources and to the public.
Latest News
Press Releases
Forestry Legislation Backed by NCBA and PLC Passes U.S. House
WASHINGTON (September 24, 2024) – Today, the Fix Our Forests Act passed the U.S. House of Representatives in a bipartisan vote of 268 to 151. This legislation, introduced by Rep. Bruce Westerman (R-AR) and Rep. Scott Peters (D-CA) removes burdensome
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Press Releases
PLC Honors Awardees from NV and WY During 56th Annual Meeting
WASHINGTON (September 24, 2024) – During their 56th Annual Meeting, the Public Lands Council (PLC) honored two individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the public lands ranching community. PLC selected Nevada Agriculture Director and federal grazing permittee Dr. J.J. Goicoechea
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Press Releases
Colorado Rancher Named New PLC President as Annual Meeting Closes
GRAND JUNCTION, CO (September 20, 2024) – The Public Lands Council (PLC) closed out their 56th Annual Meeting by announcing Colorado rancher Tim Canterbury as the new PLC President. Tim owns and operates his family ranch in Howard, Colorado, where his
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Press Releases
The 56th PLC Annual Meeting Opens in Grand Junction
GRAND JUNCTION, CO (September 18, 2024) – The Public Lands Council (PLC) opens up their 56th Annual Meeting today. This is where ranchers, policymakers, administration officials, and industry stakeholders from across the country will meet to discuss the most urgent issues
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Press Releases
Ranchers Support Legislation to Boost Conservation Under the ESA
WASHINGTON (September 10, 2024) – Today, the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) and Public Lands Council (PLC) announced their strong support for the ESA Amendments Act of 2024, introduced by Rep. Dan Newhouse (WA) and Rep. Bruce Westerman (AR). This legislation would
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Press Releases
ASI and NCBA Release Video on Public Lands Movement Criteria During FMD Outbreak
WASHINGTON (August 22, 2024) – The American Sheep Industry Association (ASI) worked with the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) and other stakeholders to develop movement decision criteria guidance addressing unique scenarios that would arise for federal lands grazers in the event
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Press Releases
Cattle Industry Leaders Disgusted With Targeted Persecution of Family Ranchers
WASHINGTON (August 8, 2024) – Today, leaders of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) and Public Lands Council (PLC) issued statements in response to news of the indictment of Charles and Heather Maude, multi-generational family ranchers in western South Dakota, by
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Press Releases
PLC and NCBA Praise Passage of House Interior Appropriations Bill
WASHINGTON (July 24, 2024) – Today, the Public Lands Council (PLC) and National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) issued statements following the House passage of H.R. 8998, the Department of the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act of 2025:
“This Interior
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Press Releases
WHAT THEY ARE SAYING: Public Lands Coalition Files Lawsuit Against BLM Rule
WASHINGTON (July 18, 2024) – Leaders of national organizations representing those who utilize our nation’s public lands have joined together to file a lawsuit against the Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) new public lands rule. Under the Federal Land Policy
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Press Releases
NCBA and PLC File Lawsuit Against BLM Public Lands Rule
WASHINGTON (July 12, 2024) – Today, the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) and Public Lands Council (PLC) filed a lawsuit against the misguided Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) “Conservation and Landscape Health” rule. The lawsuit was filed in the U.S.
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Press Releases
PLC Accepts Rolling Submissions for Research Proposals Bolstering Federal Lands Ranching
WASHINGTON (July 2, 2024) – The Public Lands Council (PLC) today announced a rolling notice of funding availability that accompanies the existing grant funding process for Fiscal Year 2025. This two-track process allows individuals and organizations to submit proposals at
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Press Releases
Bipartisan, Bicameral NEPA CRA will Provide Relief to Ranchers
WASHINGTON (June 18, 2024) – Today, the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) and Public Lands Council (PLC) praised Senate and House introduction of paired Congressional Review Act resolutions that would nullify the Biden Administration’s Phase 2 National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)
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Press Releases
Registration Opens for PLC’s 2024 Annual Meeting in Colorado
WASHINGTON (June 17, 2024) – Registration is now open for the Public Lands Council’s (PLC) 56th Annual Meeting that will be held in Grand Junction, Colorado from September 17-19.
“At a time when federal lands ranchers are facing tremendous government overreach,
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Press Releases
New NEPA Rule Ignores Congress, Increases Bureaucratic Red Tape
WASHINGTON (May 2, 2024) – Today, the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) and Public Lands Council (PLC) reacted to the White House Council on Environmental Quality’s (CEQ) final Phase 2 rule amending the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) which will make
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Press Releases
BLM Rule Threatens Multiple Use Management of Public Lands
WASHINGTON (April 18, 2024) – Today, the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) and Public Lands Council (PLC) expressed serious concerns about the Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) final “Conservation and Landscape Health” rule that reimagines the agency’s requirements to manage
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Press Releases
Ranchers Slam Regressive Endangered Species Act Rulemakings
WASHINGTON (April 8, 2024) - The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) and the Public Lands Council (PLC) condemned the Biden Administration’s three finalized Endangered Species Act (ESA) rulemakings that significantly expand federal overreach and roll back reforms that previously provided
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PLC Events,Other Events
2024 Public Lands Council Annual Meeting
Join the Public Lands Council for our 56th Annual Meeting! We’re heading to the incredible Grand Junction, Colorado from September 17-19, 2024, for a packed schedule of informative general sessions, policy committee meetings, cocktail hours, our annual awards banquet, and
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Press Releases
Ranchers Frustrated by Biden Administration’s Continued Steamroll over NW Washington Communities
WASHINGTON (March 21, 2024) – Today, the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) and Public Lands Council (PLC) condemned the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's (USFWS) indication that they intend to proceed with translocating grizzly bears to the North Cascades Ecosystem in
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Press Releases
Ranchers Urge BLM to Incorporate Latest Science in New Sage Grouse Plans
WASHINGTON (Mar. 15, 2024) – Today, the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) and Public Lands Council (PLC) responded to the Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) release of the updated greater sage ground management plans. These plans will shape public land
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Real Ranchers. Real Stories.
Rancher Profile: Matt McElligott - Oregon PLC
Matt McElligott has family ties to agriculture that go back well over a century.
Starting out in Kansas, his family began ranching in the 1800s, eventually homesteading in Eastern Oregon where the family ranch still operates in the McElligott name
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Real Ranchers. Real Stories.
Rancher Profile: Darcy Helmick - Idaho PLC
The changing temperatures and turning of the leaves make a perfect environment for gathering and weaning, as well as appreciating the results of another year’s hard work!
Like many other producers, fall is my favorite time of year! Not only
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Real Ranchers. Real Stories.
Rancher Profile: Robbie LeValley - Colorado PLC
Colorado PLC is the leader in public lands grazing advocacy.
From writing comments on all issues related to public lands and wildlife to communicating directly with Colorado permittees on specific permit-related issues, we strive to be the conduit for information
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Press Releases
Cattlemen Object to Biden Administration’s Plan to Introduce Grizzly Bears in Pacific Northwest
WASHINGTON (November 13, 2023) – Today, the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA), Public Lands Council (PLC), and Washington Cattlemen’s Association (WCA), alongside other leading national agricultural organizations, filed comments opposing the Biden administration’s plan to introduce grizzly bears to the
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Press Releases
PLC Honors Awardees from OR and NV During 55th Annual Meeting
WASHINGTON (Sept. 14, 2023) – During their 55th Annual Meeting, the Public Lands Council (PLC) honored two individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the public lands ranching community. PLC selected Oregon rancher John O’Keeffe as the 2023 President’s Award recipient
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Press Releases
BLM Announces Winners of the 2023 Rangeland Stewardship and Innovation Awards
PENDLETON, ORE. (Sept. 7, 2023) – At the Public Lands Council (PLC) annual meeting this week, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) announced winners of the 2023 Rangeland Stewardship and Rangeland Innovation awards to recognize exemplary management and outstanding accomplishments
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Press Releases
Federal Lands Ranchers Convene for 55th PLC Annual Meeting
PENDLETON, ORE. (September 6, 2023) – The Public Lands Council (PLC) 55th Annual Meeting starts today, where ranchers, Congressional representatives, administration officials, and industry stakeholders from across the country will convene in-person to discuss the pressing issues facing public lands
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Press Releases
California Rancher Urges Congress to Address Wildfires Through Livestock Grazing and Effective Land Management Tools
YOSEMITE VALLEY, CALIF. (August 11, 2023) – Today, Dr. Dave Daley, a leader in the California Cattlemen’s Association, Public Lands Council, and National Cattlemen’s Beef Association testified before the House Natural Resources Committee in a field hearing titled “Conservation in
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Press Releases
Public Lands Ranchers Speak Out Against Biden Antiquities Act Designation
WASHINGTON (August 8, 2023) – Today, the Public Lands Council (PLC) spoke out against President Biden’s decision to designate over a million acres of land in Arizona under the Antiquities Act. This designation is the latest in a long series
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Press Releases
PLC Leads Coalition Comments on BLM Public Lands Rule
WASHINGTON (July 6, 2023) – Last night, the Public Lands Council (PLC) submitted grazing coalition comments raising concerns with the Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) proposed rule titled “Conservation and Landscape Health.” Together with PLC affiliate members the National Cattlemen’s
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Press Releases
Registration Opens for 55th PLC Annual Meeting
WASHINGTON (June 20, 2023) — Registration is now open for the Public Lands Council’s (PLC) 55th Annual Meeting to be held September 5-7, 2023, in Pendleton, Oregon.
“PLC Annual Meeting is where federal lands ranchers reflect on the past year and
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On the ranges where they live and work, public lands ranchers play an integral role in regional and national efforts to safeguard America’s open spaces, local industries, and rural heritage.
A Commitment to Environmental Stewardship
Ranchers are committed to environmental stewardship initiatives that preserve open spaces, renew native plant life, preserve clean water, and protect habitat for endangered species.
Working For Strong Rural Communities
Public land ranching is essential to independent, family businesses that contribute to the economic and social sustainability of America’s rural communities.
