What's new
Forums
Members
Resources
Whopper Club
Politics
Pics
Videos
Fishing Reports
Classifieds
Log in
Register
What's new
Search
Search
Search titles only
By:
Members
Resources
Whopper Club
Politics
Menu
Log in
Register
Install the app
Install
Forums
General
General Discussion
"Excess" Corp lands above 1620 in Emmons and Morton Counties to Private Owners
JavaScript is disabled. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding.
You are using an out of date browser. It may not display this or other websites correctly.
You should upgrade or use an
alternative browser
.
Reply to thread
Message
<blockquote data-quote="Tim Sandstrom" data-source="post: 105881" data-attributes="member: 1108"><p><strong>"Excess" Corp lands above 1620 in Emmons and Morton Counties to Private Owners</strong></p><p></p><p>At the Audubon tourney I was approached whether I heard about the "extension" of <a href="http://www.legis.nd.gov/assembly/64-2015/documents/15-0603-03004m.pdf" target="_blank">HB 1456</a>. I said no, and the conversation turned to explanation. From what I'm told (and confirmed at state level) is the Governor's Office has sent a bill for introduction at the fed level. The bill will transfer so-called excess lands above elevation 1620 in Emmons and Morton Counties and then has language that enables the state to transfer to private landowners (heirs of original owners).</p><p></p><p>In principle, I'm a bit conflicted on this. But my opinion has always been I cannot support a transfer until I see legitimate proof excess lands actually exist to the project purposes as identified in the Pick Sloan Act and further cemented in the Master Manual. If land in fact was proven to be excess by some wild imagination then I could see a transfer. However, I question the cost associated to accomplish such a feat (researching heirs, deeds, recording, etc). Where is the net gain when you compare the loss of public access? It may be best served the land goes to a local entity such as township and county to utilize for possible public recreation areas, etc.</p><p></p><p>Anyway, why would a western North Dakota guy care about this? None of my business right? Well, as already mentioned the precedence is damaging to my beliefs being there are no excess lands. It's also damaging to access questions (the very questions the state, feds and public have asked about the Lake Sakakawea transfer). What acres are going, will there be access, how much will it cost, how will the properties be identified, what jurisdictions will control, how will NDGF be affected, how will water and other ROWs be secured and granted and the list goes on.</p><p></p><p>And in general, the land has been in the public realm for decades. It would be lost land forever to the public domain. Do we need to lose more public land?</p><p></p><p>Often I am told the state legislators are doing what the voters tell them, the state is doing what the legislature is telling them and the fed legislature is doing what the state is telling them.</p><p></p><p>So lets talk on that a bit, the bill was amended to remove private transfer (that's the people telling the legislators what to do). So the intent of the bill was obviously modified per the voters will. Here's where it gets questionable. The word "encourages" and "encouragement" are used in bill 1457. The state told me in conversation they have to draft the bill (as if it was a mandate). I disagree with that, encourage means the state should do what is right. Look at the case, look at the facts, look at the history of other transfer attempts, look at the concerns and then make a decision. There are thousands of lines of text written by Hoeven and Dalrymple (plus Stenehjem) taking a stance there are no excess lands, there are public access questions, jurisdiction uncertainties, funding and other issues related to Army Corp of Engineer land transfers that remain unanswered.</p><p></p><p>My point, how can the word encouraging combated with real-life-on-the-record opposition to previous land transfers be pushed through by the state? The Governor's Office should have had a backbone and took the position it always has.</p><p></p><p>Instead, since I'm forced to read between the lines it looks like Schmidt and Brandenburg have serious influence. After the resolution was passed $42,000 dollars was set aside for Eide Bailly to conduct meetings/hearings and sent out 520 surveys to adjacent landowners and cabin owners to project lands (only 210 were returned). It seems the 210 responses have convinced the state/feds that there is overwhelming support for a transfer. Do you think that's fair representation to a much broader subject? How much support really is there when so many questions are unanswered? Is this a case of Schmidt and Brandenburg telling the Governor to jump and he asks, how high?</p><p></p><p>I think we deserve public hearings which includes how the Army Corp of Engineers identifies so-called excess lands. Then the state and federal legislators can get a better idea of just how much support exists. Plus forces the Corp to be more transparent on how they derive lands in excess to project purposes.</p><p></p><p>Call the state and let them know how you feel!</p><p></p><p><a href="http://governor.nd.gov/contact-us" target="_blank">http://governor.nd.gov/contact-us</a></p><p></p><p>701.328.2200</p><p></p><p>Who to contact and how:</p><p></p><table style='width: 100%'><tr><td><strong>John Hoeven</strong><br /> <br /> Bismarck, ND<br /> US Federal Building<br /> 220 East Rosser Avenue, Room 312<br /> Bismarck, ND 58501<br /> Phone: 701-250-4618</td><td>Washington, D.C.<br /> 338 Russell Senate Office Bldg.<br /> Washington DC, 20510<br /> Phone: 202-224-2551</td></tr></table><p>Email:<a href="https://www.hoeven.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/email-the-senator" target="_blank">https://www.hoeven.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/email-the-senator</a></p><p></p><p></p><p>-----------</p><p></p><p></p><table style='width: 100%'><tr><td><strong>Heidi Heitkamp</strong><br /> <br /> Bismarck Office<br /> 228 Federal Building<br /> 220 East Rosser Avenue<br /> Bismarck, ND 58501<br /> Phone: (701) 258-4648</td><td>Washington OfficeSH-502 Hart Senate Office Building<br /> Washington, DC 20510<br /> Phone: (202) 224-2043</td></tr></table><p>Email: <a href="https://www.heitkamp.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/email-heidi" target="_blank">https://www.heitkamp.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/email-heidi</a></p><p></p><p></p><p>-----------</p><p></p><p></p><table style='width: 100%'><tr><td><strong>Kevin Cramer</strong><br /> <br /> Bismarck<br /> 220 East Rosser Avenue<br /> 328 Federal Building<br /> Bismarck, ND 58501<br /> Phone: 701-224-0355</td><td>Washington, DC Office<br /> 1032 Longworth House Office Building<br /> Washington, DC 20515<br /> Phone: 202-225-2611</td></tr></table><p>Email: <a href="https://cramer.house.gov/contact/email-me" target="_blank">https://cramer.house.gov/contact/email-me</a></p><p></p><p></p><p>-----------</p><p></p><p></p><table style='width: 100%'><tr><td>Governor Jack Dalrymple<br /> <br /> Office of Governor<br /> State of North Dakota<br /> 600 East Boulevard Avenue<br /> Bismarck, ND 58505-0100<br /> Phone: 701.328.2200<br /> <br /> Email: <a href="http://governor.nd.gov/contact-us" target="_blank">http://governor.nd.gov/contact-us</a></td><td></td></tr></table><p></p><p></p><p>-----------</p><p></p><table style='width: 100%'><tr><td><strong>ACOE Project Manager: Larry Janis</strong></td></tr><tr><td>U.S. Army Corps of Engineers<br /> Attn: CENWO-OD-T Larry Janis<br /> 1616 Capitol Ave.<br /> Omaha, Neb. 68102<br /> Phone: 402-995-2440</td></tr><tr><td>Email: <a href="mailto:larry.d.janis@usace.army.mil">larry.d.janis@usace.army.mil</a></td></tr></table><p></p><p></p><p>-----------</p><p></p><table style='width: 100%'><tr><td><strong>Linda F. Burke</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Freedom of Information Act Officer<br /> <a href="http://www.usace.army.mil/FOIA.aspx" target="_blank">http://www.usace.army.mil/FOIA.aspx (link is external)</a><br /> 1-202-761-8557 (Washington D.C.)<br /> U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Omaha District<br /> ATTN: CENWO-OC<br /> 1616 Capitol Avenue, Suite 9000<br /> Omaha NE 68102-4901</td></tr><tr><td>Email: <a href="mailto:linda.f.burke@usace.army.mil">linda.f.burke@usace.army.mil</a></td></tr></table><p></p><p>-----------</p><table style='width: 100%'><tr><td><strong>Maggie Oldham</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Chief, Public Affairs Office<br /> Omaha District - U.S. Army Corps of Engineers<br /> Office: 402-995-2416<br /> Mobile: 402-650-8154</td></tr><tr><td>Email: <a href="mailto:margaret.e.oldham@usace.army.mil">margaret.e.oldham@usace.army.mil</a><br /> <br /> </td></tr></table></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Tim Sandstrom, post: 105881, member: 1108"] [b]"Excess" Corp lands above 1620 in Emmons and Morton Counties to Private Owners[/b] At the Audubon tourney I was approached whether I heard about the "extension" of [URL="http://www.legis.nd.gov/assembly/64-2015/documents/15-0603-03004m.pdf"]HB 1456[/URL]. I said no, and the conversation turned to explanation. From what I'm told (and confirmed at state level) is the Governor's Office has sent a bill for introduction at the fed level. The bill will transfer so-called excess lands above elevation 1620 in Emmons and Morton Counties and then has language that enables the state to transfer to private landowners (heirs of original owners). In principle, I'm a bit conflicted on this. But my opinion has always been I cannot support a transfer until I see legitimate proof excess lands actually exist to the project purposes as identified in the Pick Sloan Act and further cemented in the Master Manual. If land in fact was proven to be excess by some wild imagination then I could see a transfer. However, I question the cost associated to accomplish such a feat (researching heirs, deeds, recording, etc). Where is the net gain when you compare the loss of public access? It may be best served the land goes to a local entity such as township and county to utilize for possible public recreation areas, etc. Anyway, why would a western North Dakota guy care about this? None of my business right? Well, as already mentioned the precedence is damaging to my beliefs being there are no excess lands. It's also damaging to access questions (the very questions the state, feds and public have asked about the Lake Sakakawea transfer). What acres are going, will there be access, how much will it cost, how will the properties be identified, what jurisdictions will control, how will NDGF be affected, how will water and other ROWs be secured and granted and the list goes on. And in general, the land has been in the public realm for decades. It would be lost land forever to the public domain. Do we need to lose more public land? Often I am told the state legislators are doing what the voters tell them, the state is doing what the legislature is telling them and the fed legislature is doing what the state is telling them. So lets talk on that a bit, the bill was amended to remove private transfer (that's the people telling the legislators what to do). So the intent of the bill was obviously modified per the voters will. Here's where it gets questionable. The word "encourages" and "encouragement" are used in bill 1457. The state told me in conversation they have to draft the bill (as if it was a mandate). I disagree with that, encourage means the state should do what is right. Look at the case, look at the facts, look at the history of other transfer attempts, look at the concerns and then make a decision. There are thousands of lines of text written by Hoeven and Dalrymple (plus Stenehjem) taking a stance there are no excess lands, there are public access questions, jurisdiction uncertainties, funding and other issues related to Army Corp of Engineer land transfers that remain unanswered. My point, how can the word encouraging combated with real-life-on-the-record opposition to previous land transfers be pushed through by the state? The Governor's Office should have had a backbone and took the position it always has. Instead, since I'm forced to read between the lines it looks like Schmidt and Brandenburg have serious influence. After the resolution was passed $42,000 dollars was set aside for Eide Bailly to conduct meetings/hearings and sent out 520 surveys to adjacent landowners and cabin owners to project lands (only 210 were returned). It seems the 210 responses have convinced the state/feds that there is overwhelming support for a transfer. Do you think that's fair representation to a much broader subject? How much support really is there when so many questions are unanswered? Is this a case of Schmidt and Brandenburg telling the Governor to jump and he asks, how high? I think we deserve public hearings which includes how the Army Corp of Engineers identifies so-called excess lands. Then the state and federal legislators can get a better idea of just how much support exists. Plus forces the Corp to be more transparent on how they derive lands in excess to project purposes. Call the state and let them know how you feel! [URL]http://governor.nd.gov/contact-us[/URL] 701.328.2200 Who to contact and how: [TABLE="width: 500"] [TR] [TD][B]John Hoeven[/B] Bismarck, ND US Federal Building 220 East Rosser Avenue, Room 312 Bismarck, ND 58501 Phone: 701-250-4618[/TD] [TD]Washington, D.C. 338 Russell Senate Office Bldg. Washington DC, 20510 Phone: 202-224-2551[/TD] [/TR] [/TABLE] Email:[URL]https://www.hoeven.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/email-the-senator[/URL] ----------- [TABLE="width: 500"] [TR] [TD][B]Heidi Heitkamp[/B] Bismarck Office 228 Federal Building 220 East Rosser Avenue Bismarck, ND 58501 Phone: (701) 258-4648[/TD] [TD]Washington OfficeSH-502 Hart Senate Office Building Washington, DC 20510 Phone: (202) 224-2043[/TD] [/TR] [/TABLE] Email: [URL]https://www.heitkamp.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/email-heidi[/URL] ----------- [TABLE="width: 500"] [TR] [TD][B]Kevin Cramer[/B] Bismarck 220 East Rosser Avenue 328 Federal Building Bismarck, ND 58501 Phone: 701-224-0355[/TD] [TD]Washington, DC Office 1032 Longworth House Office Building Washington, DC 20515 Phone: 202-225-2611[/TD] [/TR] [/TABLE] Email: [URL]https://cramer.house.gov/contact/email-me[/URL] ----------- [TABLE="width: 500"] [TR] [TD]Governor Jack Dalrymple Office of Governor State of North Dakota 600 East Boulevard Avenue Bismarck, ND 58505-0100 Phone: 701.328.2200 Email: [URL]http://governor.nd.gov/contact-us[/URL][/TD] [TD][/TD] [/TR] [/TABLE] ----------- [TABLE="width: 447"] [TR] [TD="colspan: 2"][B]ACOE Project Manager: Larry Janis[/B][/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD="colspan: 2"]U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Attn: CENWO-OD-T Larry Janis 1616 Capitol Ave. Omaha, Neb. 68102 Phone: 402-995-2440[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD="colspan: 2"]Email: [EMAIL="larry.d.janis@usace.army.mil"]larry.d.janis@usace.army.mil[/EMAIL][/TD] [/TR] [/TABLE] ----------- [TABLE="width: 447"] [TR] [TD="colspan: 2"][B]Linda F. Burke[/B][/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD="colspan: 2"]Freedom of Information Act Officer [URL="http://www.usace.army.mil/FOIA.aspx"]http://www.usace.army.mil/FOIA.aspx (link is external)[/URL] 1-202-761-8557 (Washington D.C.) U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Omaha District ATTN: CENWO-OC 1616 Capitol Avenue, Suite 9000 Omaha NE 68102-4901[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD="colspan: 2"]Email: [EMAIL="linda.f.burke@usace.army.mil"]linda.f.burke@usace.army.mil[/EMAIL][/TD] [/TR] [/TABLE] ----------- [TABLE="width: 447"] [TR] [TD="colspan: 2"][B]Maggie Oldham[/B][/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD="colspan: 2"]Chief, Public Affairs Office Omaha District - U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Office: 402-995-2416 Mobile: 402-650-8154[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD="colspan: 2"]Email: [EMAIL="margaret.e.oldham@usace.army.mil"]margaret.e.oldham@usace.army.mil[/EMAIL] [/TD] [/TR] [/TABLE] [/QUOTE]
Verification
What is the most common fish caught on this site?
Post reply
Recent Posts
T
First Deer
Latest: Tinesdown
Today at 1:23 AM
Cricket scope rings
Latest: Trip McNeely
Yesterday at 11:22 PM
Favorite Music Vid...
Latest: CatDaddy
Yesterday at 11:10 PM
Minnesota brain worms
Latest: Trip McNeely
Yesterday at 10:24 PM
Any Birders here?
Latest: svnmag
Yesterday at 9:48 PM
.22 Garden Gun
Latest: svnmag
Yesterday at 8:54 PM
30mm
Latest: svnmag
Yesterday at 8:42 PM
Rain
Latest: 1lessdog
Friday at 10:28 PM
Buying gold and silver.
Latest: 1bigfokker
Friday at 10:11 PM
Turkeys Are Mean
Latest: svnmag
Friday at 9:47 PM
Under sink on demand propane h
Latest: Obi-Wan
Friday at 8:29 PM
7
Sak
Newtown 5/17
Latest: 701FishSlayer
Friday at 8:10 PM
W
Oahe report Mobridge
Latest: Wall-eyes
Friday at 1:42 PM
Garden!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Latest: Lycanthrope
Friday at 12:42 PM
Carp in the Mouse River
Latest: svnmag
Thursday at 9:47 PM
Ticks
Latest: svnmag
Thursday at 8:37 PM
Morel mushrooms
Latest: Maddog
Thursday at 11:12 AM
Preserving Spool Depth
Latest: svnmag
Wednesday at 10:10 PM
Ruger Mark III
Latest: Zogman
Wednesday at 5:27 PM
S
Costa Rica Bill fishing
Latest: SLE
Wednesday at 2:44 PM
Friends of NDA
Forums
General
General Discussion
"Excess" Corp lands above 1620 in Emmons and Morton Counties to Private Owners
Top
Bottom