Rounds Introduces Legislation to Create Formal Mediation Process for U.S. Forest Service Boundary Disputes

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) today introduced the Fence Line Fairness Act, legislation that would create a formal mediation process for land boundary disputes between landowners and the United States Forest Service (USFS).

About 2.6 million acres in South Dakota are federally owned, 76 percent of which are managed by USFS. Congress has authorized land agencies to offer leases to local producers to use the land in a way that supports economic activity while also preserving natural resources, such as grazing or mining. Many producers who obtain these leases also have private land that borders USFS land, which is typically where boundary disputes arise.

The Fence Line Fairness Act would create a committee made up of appointed producers, tasked with mediating disputes and providing recommendations to both the agency and involved producers. The committee would be made up of producers from the state, two of which are appointed by the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture and three of which are appointed by the state's Department of Agriculture or Natural Resources.

"Landowners deserve a proper notice and review process involving land disputes with the federal government," said Rounds. "My legislation would create a committee made up of local farmers and ranchers appointed by both the federal and state Departments of Agriculture. This gives local landowners a fighting chance at settling a dispute before it escalates."

This legislation is supported by South Dakota Cattlemen's Association, South Dakota Stockgrowers Association, National Cattlemen's Beef Association, R-CALF USA, Public Lands Council and United States Cattlemen's Association.

"Introducing mediation that includes local producers and entities who know the land and know the parties and their operation will resolve issues that come forward regarding minor fence line disputes with the U.S. Forest Service," said Carl Sanders, South Dakota Cattlemen's Association's Federal Lands Policy Committee Chair. "As a producer who works closely with the Forest Service through grazing on a Grasslands Forest Service Permit, I believe that through the necessary steps, conflict can be resolved and a compromise will be made."

"We're already experiencing situations where uncertainty over boundary lines with the federal government is disrupting the lives and livelihoods of ranchers and potentially threatening their ability to continue ranching," said Bill Bullard, CEO of R-CALF. "Senator Rounds' bill is a common-sense intervention that holds the promise of alleviating such drastic and costly outcomes."

"The U.S. Cattlemen's Association commends the work of Senator Rounds for working to protect ranchers from the lengthy timelines that come with mediation of federal disputes," said Justin Tupper, President of the U.S. Cattlemen's Association. "The Fence Line Fairness Act would help producers resolve disputes in a more fair, timely, and local manner. This is the beginning of a larger conversation about the rights of landowners on or adjacent to public lands. We support this bill and hope for its inclusion in the next Farm Bill."

Click HERE for full bill text.

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