Ranchers ordered to cut grazing on national grasslands

Bismarck, N.D. (AP) The Forest Service says it's trying to protect resources by ordering a 30 percent reduction in cattle grazing on grasslands in southwestern North Dakota.

Some ranchers were surprised by the order.

Doug Pope is the president of the Little Missouri Grazing Association. He says the Medora District has had more than 4 inches of rain this spring. He says a lot of people thought Forest Service letter ordering the cuts was unwarranted.

The Forest Service manages grazing on about 1 million public acres on the National Grasslands.

Ron Jablonski is the Forest Service ranger for the Medora District. He says the 30 percent cut is based on the condition of the ground and the lack of moisture going back to last fall. He says even spring rain would not catch up.

Jablonski says the agency is trying to work with the ranchers.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.) APNP 06-04-08 1021CDT | save this article / add to your favorites list