§ 273b. Grazing privileges; right of occupancy or use for fixed term of years; renewal

Where any Federal lands included within the park are legally occupied or utilized on December 18, 1971, for grazing purposes, pursuant to a lease, permit, or license for a fixed term of years issued or authorized by any department, establishment, or agency of the United States, the Secretary of the Interior shall permit the persons holding such grazing privileges or their heirs to continue in the exercise thereof during the term of the lease, permit, or license, and one period of renewal thereafter.

(Pub. L. 92–207, § 3, Dec. 18, 1971, 85 Stat. 740.)

Miscellaneous

Renewal of Capitol Reef National Park Grazing Authorizations

Pub. L. 100–446, title I, Sept. 27, 1988, 102 Stat. 1779, provided: “That where any Federal lands included within the boundary of the Park created by the Act of December 18, 1971 (Public Law 92–207) [16 U.S.C. 273 et seq.], were legally occupied or utilized on the date of approval of that Act [Dec. 18, 1971] for grazing purposes pursuant to a lease, permit, or license issued or authorized by any department, establishment, or agency of the United States, the person or persons so occupying or utilizing such lands and the heirs of such person or persons shall at that time be entitled to renew said leases, permits, or licenses under such terms and conditions as the Secretary of the Interior may prescribe, for the lifetime of the permittee or any direct descendants (sons or daughters) born on or before the enactment of Public Law 92–207 (December 18, 1971). Such grazing activities shall be subject to the following conditions:

“(a) Grazing will be based on active preference that exists on the date of this Act [Sept. 27, 1988] and no increase in animal unit months will be allowed on Park lands.

“(b) No physical improvements for stock use will be established on National Park Service lands without the written concurrence of the Park Superintendent.

“(c) Nothing in this section shall apply to any lease, permit, or license for mining purposes or for public accommodations and services or to any occupancy or utilization of lands for purely temporary purposes.

“(d) Nothing contained in this Act [see Tables for classification] shall be construed as creating any vested right, title interest, or estate in or to any Federal lands.

“(e) The provisions of Public Law 97–341 [formerly set out as a note below] are hereby repealed.

“(f) Grazing will be managed to encourage the protection of the Park’s natural and cultural resources values.”

Study of Grazing Phaseout at Capitol Reef National Park

Pub. L. 97–341, Oct. 15, 1982, 96 Stat. 1639, provided for retention of Capitol Reef National Park grazing privileges until Dec. 31, 1994, and a study of grazing at the Park, prior to repeal by Pub. L. 100–446, title I, Sept. 27, 1988, 102 Stat. 1780.