This legislation establishes the "Malheur County Grazing Management Program" on federal land in Malheur County, Oregon, aiming to provide **operational flexibility** to authorized grazing permittees and lessees. This flexibility includes developing alternatives for flexible grazing use during permit renewals and allowing interim variances for season of use, pasture rotation, and water structure placement due to changing conditions like weather or drought. These interim variances are designed to be immediately effective and bypass certain environmental review requirements. The program also mandates cooperative rangeland monitoring plans to assess livestock use against Rangeland Health Standards. Importantly, the Act clarifies that it does not affect existing grazing privileges under the Taylor Grazing Act or preclude permit modifications under applicable law.

The bill creates the **Malheur C.E.O. Group**, an 8-member body comprising representatives from grazing permittees, businesses, conservation organizations, and two Native American tribes. This group is tasked with proposing eligible projects, such as ecological restoration, range improvements, invasive species management, and cultural site conservation, on both federal and non-federal lands. Projects on federal land or using federal funds require consensus from the group and approval from the relevant federal agency. The group prioritizes voluntary habitat, range, and ecosystem restoration projects and can accept donations to fund its initiatives.

The legislation designates two **Special Management Areas** totaling approximately 40,874 acres within Malheur County, to be administered by the Bureau of Land Management. These areas are established with specific purposes, including allowing invasive species control, fire suppression, **livestock production**, and Tribal access for cultural purposes. While new permanent roads are prohibited, motorized vehicles are permitted on existing roads and trails for various administrative, emergency, and land management activities, including those related to livestock production. These areas are also withdrawn from new mining claims and mineral leasing.

Furthermore, the bill designates 22 distinct **Wilderness Areas**, encompassing approximately 924,440 acres, as components of the National Wilderness Preservation System. These wilderness areas are generally managed under the Wilderness Act, but with significant specific allowances. Crucially, the continuation of existing **livestock grazing** is explicitly permitted, with the "number of livestock permitted" defined by existing grazing permits and recent non-renewal permits. Motorized vehicle use is allowed on specific "cherry stem" and "pipeline roads," and mechanical equipment can be used for wildfire suppression, invasive species control, and livestock management activities within these wilderness areas.

Federal lands in Malheur County not designated as wilderness or special management areas are released from wilderness study area status and directed to be managed for non-wilderness values. The Secretary is directed to amend the Southeastern Oregon Resource Management Plan to incorporate these changes. The bill also mandates the transfer of specified federal and private lands, including the Jonesboro Ranch, into trust for the **Burns Paiute Tribe**. Additionally, approximately 2,500 acres of the Castle Rock Wilderness Study Area will be held in trust for the Tribe, and a co-stewardship area will be established, ensuring continued grazing rights and protection of cultural and natural resources.

Finally, the legislation affirms that **fire suppression, invasive species control, and livestock production** are essential and compatible activities across all federal lands in Malheur County, including designated wilderness and special management areas. The Secretary is authorized to take all necessary actions, including using motorized vehicles and aircraft, for wildfire and invasive species control. Existing grazing authorizations on federal lands not designated as wilderness or special management areas cannot be abridged, prohibited, restricted, or terminated.