Landowners voiced their concerns about private property rights to Interior Secretary David Bernhardt during a stop at Hope, North Dakota. “North Dakota farmers and their ancestors have always been great stewards of the land. That’s part of the reason why this is such a big issue here,” said North Dakota Senator Kevin Cramer. “While other states were draining, farmers here were just moving with the water.” After listening to the concerns and issues facing the state’s farmers and ranchers, Berndardt said this could be the beginning to a solution. “I’m going to go back (to D.C.) and look closely at the clarity we can provide related to how these issues are defined and how they can be resolved.” Before the roundtable, Senators Cramer and John Hoeven, along with Secretary Bernhardt, visited the property of Mike Johansen, who has experienced problems with the Fish and Wildlife Service for Waterfowl Protection Area wetland easement infractions. Cramer is seeking to establish an appeals process for landowners who disagree with the action.
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