Supreme Court of the United States

Public Lands Council v. Babbitt

May 15, 2000529 U.S. 728

Summary

The Court unanimously upheld three 1995 grazing regulations against a challenge under the Taylor Grazing Act, holding they did not exceed the Secretary of the Interior's authority. The Court found the new definitions of grazing preference, eligibility criteria, and improvement title rules consistent with the statute's purposes and discretionary grants. Justice O'Connor concurred, noting that while the facial challenge failed, as-applied challenges remain possible and APA arbitrary and capricious claims were not foreclosed.