July 21, 2023
The Honorable Joe Manchin
Chairman
Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee
306 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
The Honorable John Barrasso
Ranking Member
Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee
307 Dirksen Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
Dear Chairman Manchin and Ranking Member Barrasso:
On behalf of the North Dakota Chapter of Backcountry Hunters & Anglers (BHA), the voice for our wild public lands, waters and wildlife, I write to express our opposition to the North Dakota State Trust Lands Completion Act (S. 1088) considered during the July 12th hearing held by the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on Public Lands, Forests, and Mining.
By allowing the State of North Dakota to relinquish broad swaths of state lands in lieu of Federal public lands, this legislation poses significant consequences for sportsmen and women in North Dakota who rely on public land access, the birthright of all Americans, to enjoy our hunting and fishing traditions.
Less than 5% of North Dakota is comprised of Federal public lands. BHA cannot support transferring acreage from our Federal public lands estate that is currently available for the enjoyment of all Americans, especially in a state with relatively few Federal public lands. This would be a devastating blow, especially to hunters and anglers, as well as other outdoor recreators, who rely on public lands.
By transferring Federal public lands to the State of North Dakota, this would disrupt current land management objectives. Additionally, with the intention to utilize transferred surface lands for resource development, this poses a real threat to fish and wildlife habitat as these lands would be managed for revenue, ceasing to have the same value for wildlife and recreation as they do now. Furthermore, once divested from the hands of the American public, these lands will be under greater risk of privatization.
With that in mind, we ask that in its current form, S. 1088 is not advanced by the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee. We urge that the committee and bill sponsors consider the interests of important recreation constituencies including sportsmen and women who stand to lose public access and opportunities should S. 1088 be passed into law.
Sincerely,
James O’Shea, Co-Chair
North Dakota Chapter of Backcountry Hunters & Anglers
Cc. Sens. John Hoeven and Kevin Cramer and Rep. Kelly Armstrong
About James O'Shea
I am an avid outdoorsman. I enjoy getting out exploring new areas, hunting, fishing, backpacking etc...