East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1908-01-31
FULL TEXT OF BURkET GRAZING LAW

Following is a complete text Of the
Burkett grazing bill introduced in
congress by Senator Il. j. Burkett of
Nebraska, ana providing for the leas-
ing Of all public lands in the United
states to stockmen for term Of years
under certain restrictions and condi-
tions.
The bill Is opposed by sheepmen
generally, but the American Natlon-
al Livestock association at its recent
meeting at Denver indorsed the
measure with few slight amend
ments and Is now advocating its pas
sage as amended. The bill was in
troduced IN the senate on December
81 and will perhaps come before the
house I'm an amended form during
February. Following is the bill in
full:
A bill providing for the control Of
grazing upon the public lands In the
arid states and territories of the Uni
ted states:
Be It enacted by the senate and
house of representatives Of the Uni
ted States of America IN congress as
Isembled, That the unreserved unap-
proprlated public sands of the United
States shall be subject to the pro-
visions OF this act, and the president
of the United States Is hereby author
lied 10 establish from time to time,
by proclamation, grazing districts up
on the unreserved, unappropriated
public lands of the United States.
whereupOn the secretary Of agricul-
ture. under rules and regulations
prescribed by him, shall execute or
cause to be executed the provisions
OF this act, appoint all officers me-
cessary for the administration and
protection OF such grazing districts.
regulate their use for grazing pur-
poses, protect them from depreciation
and injury. restore and improve their
grazing value, issue permits to Craze
live stock thereon for periods OF not
more than 10 years. which shall in
clude the right TO fence the same
giving preference when practicable.
to homesteaders and to present oc-
cupants of the range. who own inn
proved ranches. or who have provid-
ed water for live stock grazed on the
public lands and charge and collect
reasonable fees for such grazing per-
mits, based upon the grazing value of
the land in each locality: Provided.
That the maximum grazing fee shall
be four cents per acre and the mini
mum one-half cent per acre.
Committee TO Allot Range.
Sec. 2, That the users of the pub
lie lands dnder the provisions of this
act may select committee of not
more than four members from the
users of any such grazing district.
which committee shall be propor-
tionate with ownership OF different
kinds Of stock. giving at least one
committeeman to each class Of live
stock users of the land who, with
the officer appointed by the secre-
tary Of Agriculture in charge of such
grazing district shall constitute an
executive board, who shall determine
whether the permits for such grazing |
districts shall be issued upon an acre. |
age or upon a per capita basis, shall /
make such division of the range be- |
tween the different kinds of stock as |
is necessary, and shall decide wheth- |
er the distribution of the range shall .
be by individual or community allot- /
mcnts. The executive board shall al |
SO determine the total number of an
imals TO he gra2ed in each grazing
district, when permits are issued on
a per capita basis. and shall decide
upon the adoption of any special rules
to meet local conditions, and shall
prescribe special rules to govern the
of livestock across the
public lands, in such districts so as
to protect the users of the land i'm
their rights and the right of persons
having the necessity to drive across
the same, The executive board shall /
also determine the preferences IN the
allotment of grazing privileges pro-
vided for i'm section / OF this act and /
shall determine the value of the inn
provcments and of the use of the
same whenever that may become ne
cessary under the provisions of this
act i'm the administration of the
same. Any differences between a
of the executive board and
the officer in charge shall be refer
q, IA. L.