National Grasslands Management Act of 1996

Summary: National Grasslands Management Act of 1996 - Amends the Forest Rangeland Renewable Resource Planning Act of 1974 to remove the National Grasslands and land utilization projects administered under title III of the Bankhead-Jones Farm Tenant Act (such Act) from the National Forest System (NFS). 
Directs the Secretary of Agriculture, acting through the Chief of the Forest Service, to manage the National Grasslands as a separate entity and in accordance with this Act and the provisions and multiple use purposes of such Act. 
Requires the Secretary to administer grazing permits and implement grazing management decisions in consultation, cooperation, and coordination with local grazing associations and other grazing permits. 
Requires fees and charges for livestock grazing on the National Grasslands to be determined in the same manner and according to the same formula that was used for such grazing during the 1996 grazing year.  Allows the Secretary to adjust the grazing fee to compensate for approved conservation practices and administrative expenditures.

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``National Grasslands Management Act 
of 1996''.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS AND PURPOSE.

    (a) Findings.--The Congress finds that--
            (1) the inclusion of the National Grasslands within the 
        National Forest System has prevented the Secretary of 
        Agriculture from effectively administering and promoting 
        grassland agriculture on National Grasslands as originally 
        intended under the Bankhead-Jones Farm Tenant Act;
            (2) the National Grasslands can be more effectively managed 
        by the Secretary of Agriculture if administered as a separate 
        entity outside of the National Forest System; and
            (3) a grazing program on National Grasslands can be 
        responsibly carried out while protecting and preserving 
        sporting, recreational, environmental, and other multiple uses 
        of the National Grasslands.
    (b) Purpose.--The purpose of this Act is to provide for improved 
management and more efficient administration of grazing activities on 
National Grasslands while preserving and protecting multiple uses of 
such lands, including but not limited to preserving sportsmen's hunting 
and fishing and other recreational activities, and protecting wildlife 
and wildlife habitat in accordance with applicable laws.

SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS.

    As used in this Act, the term--
            (1) ``National Grasslands'' means those areas managed as 
        National grasslands by the Secretary of Agriculture under title 
        III of the Bankhead-Jones Farm Tenant Act (7 U.S.C. 1010-1012) 
        on the day before the date of enactment of this Act; and
            (2) ``Secretary'' means the Secretary of Agriculture.

SEC. 4. REMOVAL OF NATIONAL GRASSLANDS FROM NATIONAL FOREST SYSTEM.

            Section 11(a) of the Forest Rangeland Renewable Resource 
        Planning Act of 1974 (16 U.S.C. 1609(a)) is amended by striking 
        the phrase ``the national grasslands and land utilization 
        projects administered under title III of the Bankhead-Jones 
        Farm Tenant Act (50 Stat. 525, 7 U.S.C. 1010-1012)''.

SEC. 5. MANAGEMENT OF NATIONAL GRASSLANDS.

    (a) In General.--The Secretary, acting through the Chief of the 
Forest Service, shall manage the National Grasslands as a separate 
entity in accordance with this Act and the provisions and multiple use 
purposes of title III of the Bankhead-Jones Farm Tenant Act (7 U.S.C. 
1010-1012).
    (b) Consultation.--The Secretary shall provide timely opportunities 
for consultation and cooperation with interested State and local 
government entities, and other interested individuals and organizations 
in the development and implementation of land use policies and plans, 
and land conservation programs for the National Grasslands.
    (c) Grazing Activities.--In furtherance of the purposes of this 
Act, the Secretary shall administer grazing permits and implement 
grazing management decisions in consultation, cooperation, and 
coordination with local grazing associations and other grazing permit 
holders.
    (d) Regulations.--The Secretary shall promulgate regulations to 
manage and protect the National Grasslands, taking into account the 
unique characteristics of the National Grasslands and grasslands 
agriculture conducted under the Bankhead-Jones Farm Tenant Act (7 
U.S.C. 1010). Such regulations shall facilitate the efficient 
administration of grazing and provide protection for the environment, 
wildlife, wildlife habitat, and Federal lands equivalent to that in the 
National Forest System on the day prior to the date of enactment of the 
Act.
    (e) Conforming Amendment to Bankhead-Jones Act.--Section 31 of the 
Bankhead-Jones Farm Tenant Act (7 U.S.C. 1010) is amended to read as 
follows:
    ``To accomplish the purposes of title III of this Act, the 
Secretary is authorized and directed to develop a separate program of 
land conservation and utilization for the National Grasslands, in order 
thereby to promote grassland agriculture and secure occupancy and 
economic stability of farms and ranches, control soil erosion, promote 
reforestation, preserve and protect natural resources, protect fish and 
wildlife and their habitat, develop and protect recreational 
opportunities and facilities, mitigate floods, prevent impairment of 
dams and reservoirs, develop energy resources, conserve surface and 
substance moisture, protect the watersheds of navigable streams, and 
protect the public lands, health, safety and welfare, but not to build 
industrial parks or commercial enterprises.''.
    (f) Hunting and Fishing, and Other Recreational Activities.--
Nothing in this Act shall be construed as limiting or precluding 
hunting or fishing activities on National Grasslands in accordance with 
applicable Federal and State laws, nor shall appropriate recreational 
activities be limited or precluded.
    (g) Valid Existing Rights.--Nothing in this Act shall affect valid 
existing rights, reservations, agreements, or authorizations. Section 
1323(a) of Public Law 96-487 shall continue to apply to non-Federal 
land and interests therein within the boundaries of the National 
Grasslands.
    (h) Fees and Charges.--Fees and charges for livestock grazing on 
the National Grasslands shall be determined in the same manner and 
according to the same formula as we used for livestock grazing on the 
National Grasslands during the 1996 grazing year. The Secretary may 
adjust the grazing fee to compensate for approved conservation 
practices and administrative expenditures.