Peace Garden News

Senator John Hoeven, who chairs the Senate Agriculture Appropriations Committee and serves as a senior member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, responded to the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) decision to rescind the 2001 Roadless Rule affecting the Little Missouri National Grassland in North Dakota.

Hoeven has been engaged with USDA Secretary Rollins and other senior officials to improve access to lands managed by USDA in North Dakota. The rescinded rule had previously limited such access, impacting activities like grazing and energy production.

“Rolling back the restrictive roadlesss rule is an important step in helping to ensure access to the grasslands and putting decision-making back into the hands of locals who know best how to manage these lands. We appreciate Secretary Rollins and USDA for working to rescind this rule and to provide more local control over our federal lands,” said Hoeven. “This deregulation is an important step as we continue working with USDA to ensure section line rights-of-way are respected in the Little Missouri National Grasslands.”

Hoeven continues his efforts with USDA on several grassland management issues. He is working toward resolving disputes between North Dakota and the U.S. Forest Service regarding section lines in the Little Missouri National Grasslands, emphasizing that these rights-of-way are vital for ranchers needing access for cattle grazing on USFS-managed land. Additionally, he is coordinating with local ranchers and rural fire departments on wildfire management strategies.