PUBLIC GRAZING IN THE WEST AND RANGELAND REFORM 94

Private grazing fees differ substantially and systematically across st ates in the West. In contrast, federal policy establishes the same gra zing fee on federal lands, regardless of location. We analyze location al differences in private grazing fees with an econometric model. Diff erences in private grazing fees across states can be explained largely by economic forces consistent with a competitive spatial market. A un iform increase in the federal grazing fee will lead to a large variati on in economic effects between states and across individual public lan ds ranchers. We propose the permanent transfer of public grazing right s to the private sector.