The Trump administration plans to open roughly 24 million acres of federal land to cattle grazing, including sensitive areas within Grand Canyon National Park, under a new policy issued via presidential memorandum. Environmental advocates say the decision prioritizes ranching industry interests over wildlife protection.
The Center for Biological Diversity has filed notice of intent to sue, arguing the administration bypassed required environmental reviews under the Endangered Species Act. The group contends that livestock grazing ranks among the top threats to endangered species across the country.
According to CBD surveys, roughly half of the stream miles examined since 2017 show significant livestock damage. Cattle strip vegetation that prevents erosion, foul waterways with waste and destroy riparian habitat that keeps streams cool enough for endangered fish, the group says.
Grazing on public lands accounts for just 2 percent of American beef production, according to the groups opposing the policy. Environmental advocates argue the wildlife cost vastly outweighs any economic benefit.
When cattle graze in predator territory, especially lands that haven't seen livestock in decades, conflict becomes likely, environmental groups say. Federal wildlife services can legally kill hundreds of thousands of animals annually at ranchers' request, even when those animals are protected under the Endangered Species Act. Grizzlies, gray wolves and Mexican wolves are particularly vulnerable to this arrangement, they argue.
Environmental groups remain uncertain about what prompted the expansion, saying there's no industry-wide push they're aware of—only isolated requests from individual ranchers.
The administration has 60 days from the legal notice to respond. If it doesn't adequately address how the policy might drive protected species toward extinction, CBD plans to ask federal courts to intervene, demanding the environmental review that should have occurred from the start.
