The Multiple-Use Sustained-Yield Act (MUSYA) of 1960 and the Federal Land Management and Policy Act (FLPMA) of 1976 require the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and U.S. Forest Service to manage federal for a combination all many different uses. This means that whether you are a grazing permittee, hiker, biker, hunter, or energy producer, federal agencies evaluate lands for their potential to support several of these uses at once in the best outcome for the lands and the American public.

For both Forest Service and BLM, some lands were evaluated before passage of the MUSYA or FLPMA and it was determined that the highest value of these lands was for grazing. As other uses have become popular over time like hunting and recreation, the agencies have had to determine where these uses can happen on the landscape together, and where conflicts would be likely to arise.

PLC supports multiple-use management of federal lands and opposes efforts to convert lands to single-use and efforts that would remove grazing in favor of other uses. Multiple-use management needs to work for all, not just some.

Keeping grazing on the landscape is crucial to the success of other multiple uses, too. Permittees provide water infrastructure for wildlife that are so important to hunters and photographers. Grazing reduces the risk of catastrophic wildfire for other uses and is key in keeping the landscape healthy and diverse for hikers and campers. Permittees help maintain hiking trails and energy rights-of-way and are often the first call to help agencies and visitors alike.

Guard against designations and management changes that limit multiple use. Things like installation of utility-scale solar, wilderness and monument designations, and even designation of formal wildlife corridors restrict or eliminate uses.

Promote collaborative work that supports ground-up leadership. The best land management comes from the community closest to the ecosystem, not sweeping federal policies.