BISMARCK, N.D., May 14, 2009 - Ducks Unlimited says today’s decision by a North Dakota committee to recommend the governor deny DU’s request to purchase a piece of McLean County property is short-sighted. The North Dakota Natural Areas Acquisition Advisory Committee voted four to two to turn down DU’s application to buy 321 acres of unique Missouri Coteau wetland and grassland. Two members of the committee were absent.
“Those opposing the sale say they support property rights while they are not taking into consideration the property rights of Mr. Tishinski and others who have wanted to sell land to Ducks Unlimited,” said Steve Adair, director of DU’s Great Plains Regional Office.
Ted Tishinski owns the land DU is asking to buy, which includes 30 acres of wetlands, 88 acres of native prairie and about 203 acres of Conservation Reserve Program land. Under North Dakota law, the governor must approve the sale of all farmland to non-profits. The NAAAC is established under the law as an advisory committee on these purchases for the governor. The group is made up of four agricultural groups or agencies, three natural resources- or parks-related agencies and the chair of the local county commission.
Opponents to the sale expressed concern about the possibility of DU placing conservation easements on the property and how that might affect future owners. “We have made no decisions about this property but conservation easements are a tool DU uses to protect grassland,” Adair said. “Grass is going away, and we want to ensure there is a place for wildlife and grass-based agriculture in North Dakota’s future. Conservation and agriculture are compatible uses.”
Grassland is disappearing at alarming rates. Recent studies by Ducks Unlimited show if the current loss rate continues, we will lose half of the remaining grassland in the Missouri Coteau in only 34 years.
“We are astounded at opponents of Mr. Tishinki’s sale again saying this landscape is not unique. Maybe from a county perspective, but continentally it’s extremely unique,” Adair said. “Grassland in the Missouri Coteau is cited as one of the most important landscapes to protect in many national conservation plans as well as the State of North Dakota’s own Comprehensive Strategy.”
DU keeps the bulk of any grassland it owns in cattle, renting to local ranchers. The organization also pays all property taxes and manages the property well for weeds and other problems.
With more than a million supporters, Ducks Unlimited is the world’s largest and most effective wetland and waterfowl conservation organization with more than 12 million acres conserved. The United States alone has lost more than half of its original wetlands - nature’s most productive ecosystem - and continues to lose more than 80,000 wetland acres each year.
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For more information on DU’s grassland programs, www.ducks.org/grasslandsfortomorrow
Media contacts:
Becky Jones Mahlum, 701-355-3507, bjonesmahlum@ducks.org
Jennifer Kross, 701-202-8896, jkross@ducks.org