Larry Pressler: “ever since Department of the Interior Secretary, Bruce Babbitt, proposed Rangeland Reform '94, I have worked with other…”

“ever since Department of the Interior Secretary, Bruce Babbitt, proposed Rangeland Reform '94, I have worked with other western Senators to pass meaningful legislation addressing the concerns raised in Secretary Babbitt's proposal. The bill before the Senate is the result of those efforts. While we were able to postpone implementation of Secretary Babbitt's misguided reforms for some time, Rangeland Reform '94 is now operative. It became effective August 21, 1995. Ranchers are expecting and should get relief from those regulations. We must pass S. 1459. Ranchers in South Dakota have told me one thing: Rangeland Reform '94 must be changed. Many of those reforms could have a detrimental impact on ranching operations in South Dakota. The Secretary's reforms are shortsighted, weigh in too heavy on the side of environmental extremists and could drive many hard-working ranchers off the land. Hardest hit would be our young farmers and ranchers. Many have just started ranching on their own. These young farmers and ranchers are our future. They are agriculture's future. Yet they are the ones that could be most hurt if Rangeland Reform '94 is allowed to stand. I have heard from a number of ranchers who are more concerned with Rangeland Reform '94 than they are with low cattle prices. Now that is quite a statement. It clearly shows why this bill must be passed.”