Central ND News

Senator John Hoeven is working to improve access to federal lands for grazers. In discussions with Interior Secretary Doug Burgum and U.S. Forest Service (USFS) Chief Tom Schultz, Hoeven emphasized the need to streamline the process for issuing grazing permits and updating the Little Missouri National Grassland Travel Management Plan.

During hearings of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee and the Senate Interior Appropriations Committee, Hoeven secured a commitment from Schultz to collaborate with North Dakota Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring and local grazing associations. The senator highlighted the importance of ensuring that plans accommodate grazers who rely on federal lands for their operations.

Hoeven also urged Schultz to assist in making section line rights-of-way available so ranchers can access their cattle in the Little Missouri National Grasslands. Additionally, he encouraged Schultz to continue efforts in managing pests such as prairie dogs and noxious weeds in national grasslands.

Reflecting on his previous collaboration with USFS Deputy Chief Chris French on addressing noxious weeds on the Dakota Prairie Grasslands, Hoeven stated: “We’ve had a tremendous partnership with USFS Deputy Chief French who has worked with us to address our priorities for the national grasslands, like noxious weed control. This week’s hearings were an opportunity to keep these initiatives moving forward, ensure these federal acres are properly managed and improve access for grazing.”

Hoeven further remarked: “Importantly, Chief Schultz has committed to consult with our grazers and Ag Commissioner Goehring as the Travel Management Plan for the Little Missouri National Grassland is updated. That’s a critical part of our work to make sure we have rancher-friendly policies in place that strengthen access to the vast federal acreage in North Dakota.”