07.31.18

Hoeven Helps Advance USDA Nominee for Natural Resources Under Secretary

Senator Working to Maintain Grazing Access to Forestry Lands, Invited Hubbard to Visit North Dakota

WASHINGTON – Senator John Hoeven, chairman of the Senate Agriculture Appropriations Committee and member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, today joined the Agriculture Committee in advancing the nomination of James Hubbard to serve as the Under Secretary for Natural Resources and Environment at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). The senator met with Hubbard earlier this month, where he outlined the importance of ensuring that the U.S. Forest Service works with farmers and ranchers in managing natural resources. Hoeven also invited the nominee to North Dakota to meet with local agriculture producers and learn firsthand about the importance of grazing access and other land management needs. Hubbard’s nomination now awaits consideration by the full Senate.

“Ensuring access to federal lands for multiple uses is critical for local economies around the country, but especially so in western states,” Hoeven said. “Our agriculture producers need federal officials who understand the importance of supporting farming and ranching operations and being a good partner in managing our natural resources. Mr. Hubbard, who has the right background and experience for this position, has committed to work with us on our state’s priorities, and I look forward to confirming his nomination in the full Senate.”

Through his work on the Senate Agriculture Committee, Hoeven included several natural resources provisions in the recently passed Senate farm bill, including a provision to require the Forest Service to properly address the management of prairie dog populations on Forest Service lands. Hoeven has also been working with Forest Service Chief Victoria Christiansen to visit North Dakota and secured a commitment from her earlier this year to do so. 

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