News Releases for August 2005
August 16, 2005
For further information, please Contact the Governor's Office
Hoeven Announces USDA To Postpone Grazing Manual Rules Changes
BISMARCK, N.D. - Gov. John Hoeven today announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has agreed to postpone the effective date of the U.S. Forest Service Handbook changes regarding grazing permit administration in the national grasslands pending public comment on the subject. The news came one day after a conversation Hoeven had with USDA Under Secretary Mark Rey urging the agency to hear ranchers' concerns before implementing any new rules.
"We had significant concerns about the impact of the new rules on our ranchers leasing federal lands, particularly in western North Dakota," Hoeven said. "This interval and subsequent public comment period will give us a chance to step back and evaluate the new rules to make sure they work for everyone."
Hoeven and state ranchers had specific concerns about policy changes pertaining to leased property requirements and the ability of new and small ranchers to share animals to boost herds. Also of concern was how the agency planned to implement the new rules such that they would not detrimentally affect ranchers renewing permits or seeking permits for the first time. The new Grazing Handbook rules were issued on July 19, 2005 as an interim directive, which means they were in effect immediately.
E-mail comments to the Governor