Central ND News

At a recent Senate Agriculture Committee hearing, Senator John Hoeven addressed significant concerns for North Dakota ranchers with Michael Boren, the nominee for Under Secretary of Agriculture for Natural Resources and Environment. If confirmed, Boren will oversee the U.S. Forest Service (USFS), which includes managing national grasslands in North Dakota.

Hoeven emphasized the importance of maintaining access to USFS lands for various uses such as grazing and energy production. He highlighted that section line rights-of-way are crucial for ranchers to reach their cattle in the Little Missouri National Grasslands.

The senator also stressed the need for collaboration with local ranchers and rural fire departments on wildfire management. This includes mitigating impacts from controlled burns on federal lands. Additionally, Hoeven pointed out the necessity of better pest management on USFS lands, focusing on issues like prairie dogs and noxious weeds.

Discussions between Hoeven and Boren also covered creating adequate buffers on federal lands to prevent damage to private and state-held properties. Hoeven has previously collaborated with USFS Deputy Chief Chris French on addressing noxious weeds in the Dakota Prairie Grasslands and encouraged Boren to continue these efforts.

“North Dakota is home to the largest national grasslands in the country, with the USFS managing more than a million acres of land in our state," said Hoeven. "That creates real challenges that require the federal government to work cooperatively with our local stakeholders, including our ag and energy producers."

He further stated, “In both the committee hearing and my meeting with Michael Boren, we drove home the importance of ensuring access to the grasslands for our grazers. Fair grazing agreements are essential, as is access through section lines to ensure ranchers can actually get to their cattle."

Hoeven expressed concern over poor land management affecting private and state lands due to noxious weeds, uncontrolled prairie dog colonies, and wildfires. He appreciated Mr. Boren’s commitment to address these critical issues collaboratively.