Larry Pressler: “many South Dakota organizations support this bill. First of all it is strongly supported by South Dakota ranchers. It is…”

“many South Dakota organizations support this bill. First of all it is strongly supported by South Dakota ranchers. It is also supported by the South Dakota Public Lands Council, the South Dakota Farm Bureau, the South Dakota Sheep Growers Association, and the South Dakota Stock Growers, to name a few. Let me outline specifically what this bill would do. Under S. 1459: Ranchers who depend on the use of public lands would be able to continue operating in an economically viable manner. Multiple-use management objectives would be achieved. The rights of sportsmen, like hunters and fishers, would be protected and their use of Federal lands would not be restricted. Water rights for livestock management grazing would be in accordance with State laws. Local input from virtually every key interest into the management of public lands would be assured. I urge my colleagues to keep in mind the fundamental goal of the legislation to remove a clearly objectionable rangeland policy. If left alone, Rangeland Reform '94 will have a detrimental effect on ranching operations in South Dakota. Many of these reforms are short-sighted, take away local input and control, and could drive many ranchers off the land. It is clear that extreme environmental groups support Rangeland Reform '94 and are waging a baseless scare campaign on S. 1459. Supporters of Rangeland Reform '94 are spreading the laughable charge that this bill would hurt wildlife and restrict hunting on Federal lands.”