WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND) issued the following statement after meeting with Acting U.S. Secretary of Interior David Bernhardt to discuss a variety of issues relating to his nomination to be Secretary of the Department of the Interior (DOI):
“Today I shared with the Acting Interior Secretary several problems and challenges North Dakotans experience in dealing with DOI. DOI’s Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) has forced countless North Dakota landowners- because of easements obtained by FWS- to endure legal action, ambiguous threats of legal action, unclear boundary delineation, antiquated records management, and a nonexistent appeals process.
“During our meeting, Mr. Bernhardt and I discussed the unique qualities of North Dakota’s wetlands and the need to stop this bureaucratic abuse. I pressed Mr. Bernhardt- if confirmed- to develop a realistic, consistent, measurable, equitable standard for easement enforcement and to create a fair appeals process. I also pledged to work closely and collaboratively with the department on this and other issues to ensure North Dakotans a voice.”
Mr. Bernhardt committed to visit North Dakota, but a date has not yet been set. The Senate is expected to consider Mr. Bernhardt’s nomination soon.
