News Releases for June 2003
June 16, 2003
For further information, please Contact the Governor's Office
Hoeven, USDA Under Secretary Mark Rey To Host Meetings In Watford City And Tour Grasslands
BISMARCK, N.D. - Gov. John Hoeven today announced that Under Secretary Mark Rey of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will be attending public meetings concerning the economic importance of the Dakota Prairie Grasslands to the state. On Tuesday, June 17, Rey will join the Governor for public meetings in Watford City and a tour of the Grasslands.
Hoeven invited Rey to attend a meeting of the Scientific Review Team, which was created to critically evaluate the grasslands management plan and its impacts on grazing. The plan establishes guidelines for the use of the federally owned public lands, which encompass over one million acres in North Dakota.
“We want a plan that is good for all North Dakotans, but it must be one that works for our ranchers and others who live and work in the grasslands,” Hoeven said. “I met with Under Secretary Rey in Washington last year, and am pleased that he will now be here for a face-to-face discussion with those affected by these issues.”
Rey was sworn in as the under secretary for natural resources and environment in October of 2001. He oversees the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service and Natural Resources Conservation Service. Rey previously served as a staff member with the U.S. Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, where he was the lead staff member for the committee’s work on national forest policy and Forest Service Administration.
The meetings will be held at:
County Commissioners meeting
Watford City
McKenzie County Courthouse
9:45 a.m.Scientific Review Team meeting
Watford City
McKenzie County Courthouse
1 p.m.
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