Public resource pricing: an analysis of range policy.

Thomas M. Quigley; R. Garth Taylor; R. McGreggor Cawley

doi:10.2737/PNW-RB-158

Treesearch

Public resource pricing: an analysis of range policy.

Informally Refereed

Authors:

Thomas M. Quigley, R. Garth Taylor, R. McGreggor Cawley

Year:

1988

Type:

Resource Bulletin

Station:

Pacific Northwest Research Station

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.2737/PNW-RB-158

Source:

Res. Bull. PNW-RB-158. Portland, OR: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Research Station. 38 p

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Abstract

Pricing represents an important step in the allocation of scarce resources. Markets, which set the price policy, are not restricted by a simple buyer-seller relation. The Federal grazing-fee policy is at the forefront of controversy surrounding the pricing of all uses of public lands. The pricing process of grazing fees has been cyclical. With few exceptions, the cycle, which takes 8 to 14 years, includes (1) initial study, (2) fee implementation or proposal, (3) lawsuit, (4) congressional hearings, and (5) fee compromise. The tradeoff between strict market pricing and political market pricing is efficiency and equity. Government agencies, Congress, and the ranching industry all have conflicting interests that affect strict equity-efficiency decisions. If policy results in income transfer for resource use or access, a quasi-right is established and controversy is assured in future pricing.

Keywords

Range users, grazing permits, grazing fees, policy (rangeland)

Citation

Quigley, Thomas M.; Taylor, R. Garth; Cawley, R. McGreggor. 1988. Public resource pricing: an analysis of range policy. Res. Bull. PNW-RB-158. Portland, OR: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Research Station. 38 p