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WHEREAS: The Federal Government has mandated clean water laws throughout the United States; and

WHEREAS: Most state legislatures have passed legislation giving their state regulatory power rather than leaving that power to the federal government.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED: The South Dakota Stockgrowers Association go on record favoring state control over regulations pertaining to the 401 and 404 Water Act Laws.

WHEREAS: The current Clean Water Act (CWA) provides broad federal authority through EPA impacting all segments of the cattle business; and

WHEREAS: The pending reauthorization of the CWA will directly focus on agricultural runoff and cattle production in particular as the alleged source of the majority of non point source (NPS) pollution of United States surface waters; and

WHEREAS: EPA does not have substantial data to factually verify this claim.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED: The South Dakota Stockgrowers Association supports the following principles for the CWA’s Goal, State Primacy, Water Quality Standards, Point Source Provisions, and Non Point Source provisions:

The CWA should maintain its original focus on the control of discharges of pollutants to waters of the U.S. as is necessary to protect the classified uses of a particular water body which are designated by states. The purpose of the CWA should not be changed from current protection of state designated uses based on an analysis of use attainability to a broad goal of protection of "ecological integrity". Approaches that reach across multiple resources (air, soil, groundwater) for pollution prevention should not be included in reauthorization.

States should clearly retain primacy in designating water uses, establishing water quality standards, and in allocating quantities of water. Any reauthorization of CWA should clearly recognize state authority to protect rights to water established under state law.

The standard of "fishable/swimmable" is inappropriate as a federal standard applied unilaterally in all states. EPA should not have the authority to force states to change use designations and standards of state waters. Maximum containment levels of effluent guidelines for alleged NPS pollutants such as sediment should not be developed by EPA. Sediment is naturally occurring and is often critical to the health and stability of ecosystems. The widely fluctuating movement of sediment into and within watercourses is often determined by natural forces.

The current provisions on NPS in Section 319 of the CWA are fundamentally sound. They should be retained and given sufficient time and funding to operate before the current approach is eliminated in favor of more regulatory authority.

Non-point source pollution is primarily a weather-related phenomenon that can be managed but not feasibly eliminated. Management of alleged NPS pollution will require a different approach than point source pollution.

The central focus on NSP management programs should be a practical, voluntary approach based on incentives, education, and technical assistance. This approach should emphasize the use of locally designed and applied, site-specific management practices implemented over a realistic time frame, which do not infringe on private property rights.

Management programs authorized by Section 319 of the CWA should be targeted to priority areas based on scientific assessments that identify serious impairments capable of economically feasible re-mediation.

USDA should play the lead role in the delivery of education and technical assistance for these NPS programs designed and implemented at the state and local level.

CWA reauthorization should include a commitment to monitoring and assessment projects which identify (a) the source, extent, and impacts of NPS pollution, and (b) the effectiveness and economic feasibility of conservation measures and management practices used to control NPS pollution.

Monitoring and research should follow the protocols developed by the U.S. Geological Service. Monitoring should include before and after sampling as well as sampling during storm events and assessment of natural and historic loadings.

Section 319 management programs on federal, state, and other publicly held lands should be developed and implemented by the specific agency statutorily charged with management of the lands in question, rather than by regulatory authorities independent of that agency.

Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFO’s) of 1,000 head or greater in capacity and having the potential to discharge to "surface waters of the U.S." must obtain National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits under the CWA.

States shall be allowed to promulgate facility design criteria which meet the federal effluent guidelines (no discharge for a specified precipitation event). Facilities which do not discharge to "surface waters of the U.S." are not required to obtain NPDES permits or Stormwater Discharge permits. Permits once obtained, shall be valid until considerable facility changes are made to warrant their revision.

In the event of a permitted discharge, no effluent toxicity testing shall be required, since facility design criteria reduced the toxicity of the "first flush" from these facilities. CWA regulations should recognize that unique, catastrophic precipitation events which cause a discharge do not constitute a violation of the CWA. Any artificially created wet areas which are the result of compliance with federal effluent guidelines should not be subjected to further regulation under the CWA and any other federal law.

3. CAFOs
Non-Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs)

WHEREAS: South Dakota Farmers and Ranchers are using sound manure management and water runoff systems and will continue to update.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED: The South Dakota Stockgrowers Association opposes additional regulatory procedures proposed by EPA-USDA’s Clean Water Action Plan on operations not designated as CAFOs unless site specific, scientifically verifiable research proves an operation is in an impaired watershed and is contributing to a specific runoff problem.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: The South Dakota Stockgrowers believe that the Natural Resources Conservation Service and Farm Service Agency need to emphasize technical and cost shares programs that assist all operations in improving manure and runoff systems.

4. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY (EPA) (2000)

WHEREAS: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is pushing for vast new powers over private land throughout America; and
WHEREAS: EPA under Carol Browner has proposed new rules which would bypass Congress and become final on June 30, 2000; and
WHEREAS: The EPA will revise the Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) to the Clean Water Act; and
WHEREAS: This would take authority from the states to manage the clean water program; and
WHEREAS: This would affect private landowners by requiring them to get a Federal permit to manage their own land at the cost of $10,000 and take a long time to process.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED: The South Dakota Stockgrowers Association supports S2417 that would delay the EPA, TMDL rules pending a comprehensive science study. We encourage individual Stockgrowers members to contact their Congressional members to vote accordingly, both federal and state, to refrain totally from uncompensated takings.

5. FEEDING OPERATIONS (‘99)

WHEREAS: The South Dakota Stockgrowers Association should be proactive in addressing animal feeding operation issues.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED: The South Dakota Stockgrowers Association supports local administration of rules, regulations, research, and the development of local standards on a state basis and that the South Dakota Stockgrowers Association encourages producers to be active in the development of state and national rules and strategies pertaining to animal feeding operations.

6. FEDERAL LAND GRAZING FEES IN SOUTH DAKOTA

WHEREAS: The Federal Government holds ownership of approximately 6.5% of the total land area of South Dakota; and
WHEREAS: The Federal Congress has established and directed federal owned lands in South Dakota administered by the U.S. Forest Service and the US Dept. of Interior including lands acquired under the Bank-Head Jones Act should promote economic stability in areas where these lands are located; and
WHEREAS: Federal land use is a vital component of the economy of South Dakota; and
WHEREAS: Cash receipts from use fees on federal lands by South Dakota state law are shared with local school districts and counties for road maintenance; and
WHEREAS: The federal fees charged for grass, hay, timber, and minerals harvested on federal lands is a use system for the protection and development of public benefits including watershed, wild game production, hunting, recreation and leisure time enjoyment of open space and water.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED: The South Dakota Stockgrowers Association supports a uniform fee formula for livestock grazing that will recognize the permittee economic ability to pay and maintain economic stability and will enhance, promote, and protect grazing values on federal lands and not be administered as the single economic element to ensure economic return to the U.S. Treasury.

7. FOSSIL PROTECTION ON STATE LANDS (‘94)

WHEREAS: South Dakota has some of the most extensive and valuable deposits of fossils of ancient plant and animal life in the United States; and
WHEREAS: The Task Force on Paleontology of the South Dakota State Historical Society has recently completed a two-year study of the extent of fossil resources in South Dakota and their potential for scientific, educational and rural economic and tourism development; and
WHEREAS: South Dakota now has no legal means to protect and preserve rare or valuable fossils on state-owned lands from damage and loss by unauthorized and commercial exploitation; and
WHEREAS: Fossil hunters are a growing problem for ranchers and farmers. Proper regulations and a reliable source of information and assistance to farm and ranch landowners and lessees could help protect landowner rights and possible financial returns.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED: The South Dakota Stockgrowers Association encourage the efforts of the South Dakota State Historical Society to initiate legislation for the protection and responsible management of South Dakota’s fossil resources on state-owned lands.

8. GRASSLANDS

WHEREAS: The Forest Service has issued a draft forest plan revised for the Northern Great Plains National Grasslands; and

WHEREAS: The Proposed Land and Resource Management Plan and Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) contain many significant changes without any substantive documentation on the reasons for the changes; and

WHEREAS: The Forest Service does not identify the existing range condition, economic situation, wildlife populations or forage for allotments in the DEIS; and

WHEREAS: One of the intents of the proposed alternative is to eliminate water development, remove fences in order to produce an over-utilized condition to benefit the prairie dog production and force further reduction in livestock animal unit months (AUM); and

WHEREAS: Wilderness is being proposed without the support of local communities; and

WHEREAS: The Forest Service intends to manage habitat for extirpated species; and

WHEREAS: The Forest Service wants to obtain federal ownership of in-flow water rights; and

WHEREAS: The Forest Service has essentially proposed a closed unless open travel policy; and

WHEREAS: The DEIS covers vast areas of different habitats and ecosystems which were not adequately addressed in the analysis.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED: That South Dakota Stockgrowers Association does not support United States Forest Service (USFS) proposed alternative.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: The South Dakota Stockgrowers Association seeks to have the USFS redraft individual alternatives for each individual grassland unit and provide a corresponding EIS for each individual grassland unit.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: The preferred alternative consider:

1. No wilderness recommendations;

2. Removing management objectives for extirpated species;

3. Maintaining and encouraging range improvements;

4. Maintaining or improving local existing economies;

5. Providing for an open travel management policy;

6. Providing for maintenance and control of existing prairie dog populations;

7. Providing for in-flow water rights only when available and following state law.

9. NATURAL RESOURCES CONSERVATION SERVICE (NRCS) (Revised ‘95)

WHEREAS: The strength of our nation and its future largely depends upon its soil and related natural resources; and

WHEREAS: The enabling legislation for, and mission statement of, the USDA, Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) provides for cost-effective technical assistance provided for landowner participation on a voluntary basis; and

WHEREAS: The NRCS has assumed a compliance role under the 1985 and 1990 Farm Acts, and is therefore no longer acting consistently with the intent of NRCS enabling legislation or its mission statement.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED: The South Dakota Stockgrowers Association urged NRCS to continue in its vital role to assist in the preservation and conservation of the nation’s soil and water, restore its original mission and provide sufficient resources for needed technical assistance on private grazing lands to landowners on a voluntary basis.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: The South Dakota Stockgrowers Association believes that technical assistance provided by NRCS on private grazing lands be delivered only by those individuals with extensive pasture and range management training.

10. WATER RIGHTS

WHEREAS: The original purposes for the Federal Government to control water was for navigation, irrigation, flood control and hydro-electric power; and
WHEREAS: There has been a change in recent years in purpose of the Federal Government to control water aimed toward conservation and other non-conventional social uses that often conflict with private property rights.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED: The South Dakota Stockgrowers Association go on record opposing federal control of water rights and leave that control of State Government.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: That State Control of Water Rights retain the basic concept of domestic use priority and preserve existing agricultural uses.

11. WETLANDS (‘99)

WHEREAS: The South Dakota Stockgrowers Association believes in the 5^th Amendment and protection of private property rights; and
WHEREAS: The economic stability and value of private property can be negatively affected by current state and federal wetlands regulations; and
WHEREAS: Current state wetlands regulations are excessive and intrusive compared to neighboring states.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED: The South Dakota Stockgrowers Association supports current state and federal wetlands regulations reform through National Resources and Conservation Services, and encourages continued cooperation.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: The South Dakota Stockgrowers Association play a leadership role in obtaining legislation that would allow farmers to enroll wetlands and farmed wetlands in the CRP under continuous signup and that farmers are represented on the FSA rulemaking committee to ensure participation.

12. CONSERVATION RESERVE PROGRAM (CRP) (Revised ‘01)

WHEREAS: The first contracts for over 34 million crop acres in the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) will mature in 1995, and continue to mature annually; and

WHEREAS: Budget restraints may have significant impact on continuance of the program; and,

WHEREAS: The conservation of natural resources is important; and

WHEREAS: Annual release of total acres under maturing contracts could have significant economic impact on the cattle industry; and

WHEREAS: It is possible that extension of the CRP contracts will occur.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED: The South Dakota Stockgrowers Association endorses the development of a consistent set of rules to prevail in each rebidding.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: If contract extension is adopted, the following criteria be considered in rule development:

1. Must be a transition program with long range commitment.

2. Must be environmentally sound, economically feasible and sustainable.

3. Must preserve private property rights and free enterprise system.

4. All contracts must be reevaluated and the most fragile land should be accepted in preference to attain the most benefit per unit of expenditure.

5. The South Dakota Stockgrowers Association requests the use of CRP land for haying and grazing be more strictly regulated. If released for use any time during the year that a percentage of the payment should be reimbursed.

13. SAFE DRINKING WATER ACT (‘94)

WHEREAS: The Safe Drinking Water Act, which protects water quality for human consumption, must be implemented and enforced by states; and
WHEREAS: The cost of compliance for rural communities and businesses who provide water will be burdensome and may require extensive testing for numerous potential contaminants; and
WHEREAS: State programs may require purchase and/or easements of significant amounts of private property surrounding public water supplies; and
WHEREAS: This constitutes a taking of private property.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED: The South Dakota Stockgrowers Association opposes unnecessary federal regulations which result in a taking of private property without just compensation, or result in excessive burdens on water suppliers which provide drinking water.

14. WYOMING CLEAN WATER ACTION LAW SUIT (‘99)

BE IT RESOLVED: The South Dakota Stockgrowers Association support the Wyoming Association of Conservation Districts sixty-day notice of intent to sue EPA/USDA on the Clean Water Action Plan.

15. FOREST MANAGEMENT (‘02)

BE IT RESOLVED: The South Dakota Stockgrowers Association supports forest management practices that balance all interests. We support proper use and multipurpose management of natural resources that include realizing human interests at least equal to all other management choices.

16. FIRE FIGHTING COOPERATION (‘02)

BE IT RESOLVED: The South Dakota Stockgrowers Association urges that cooperation be exercised by Federal, State, County and City fire fighting personnel and not thwart first responder efforts or initial attacks.

17. DROUGHT (‘02)

BE IT RESOLVED: The South Dakota Stockgrowers Association asks United States Department of Agriculture to release emergency funds for the use of drought relief for drought areas in South Dakota, North Dakota, Montana and Wyoming.

18. COALBED METHANE WASTEWATER (‘02)

BE IT RESOLVED: The South Dakota Stockgrowers Association encourages the South Dakota Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to ensure that all Coalbed Methane (CBM) wastewater discharged to any tributaries of South Dakota rivers comply with all provisions of the Clean Water Act.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: The South Dakota Stockgrowers Association encourages the South Dakota DENR to ensure that CBM wastewater discharged to any tributaries of South Dakota rivers does not contribute to the degradation of the river channels.

PROPERTY RIGHTS

1. ABANDONED RAILROAD BED COMPENSATION

WHEREAS: Certain recreational interests are seeking on a local, state and federal level the reversion to the state of location of abandoned railroad beds for recreational purposes with no apparent regard for property rights of landowners.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED: The South Dakota Stockgrowers Association actively resist this taking by the State without just compensation in cases where there is a reversion provision in deeds and/or abstracts of the aforementioned property owners.

2. COUNTY COMMISSIONS

WHEREAS: The Federal Government has left the definition of Community Stability to the local elected officials.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED: That County Governments enact procedures to protect the private property rights that enhance the community stability.

3. GOVERNMENT LAND ACQUISITION (Revised ‘01)

WHEREAS: South Dakota is a commodity producing state; and
WHEREAS: Agriculture is the leading industry in South Dakota; and
WHEREAS: Removal of land from Ag Production can have detrimental effect on the local tax revenue and economy.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED: The South Dakota Stockgrowers Association actively and adamantly opposes the state, Federal or any other governmental agency’s purchase and/or acquisition of any private lands, including but not limited to acquisitions of land from Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs).

4. GRAZING DISTRICT BY-LAWS

WHEREAS: The Forest Service has encouraged Grazing Districts to manage private lands.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED: Grazing Districts organized under the laws of South Dakota should be encouraged to amend their By-Laws if necessary to protect the landowner from encroachment without the owners consent. Such consent should be freely and willingly given. And secondly, that the right of the landowner to refuse such management of his privately owned land should not be cause for depriving him of allotments or grazing permits held by such owner.

5. PRIVATE PROPERTY RIGHTS

WHEREAS: Issued March 25, 1988, Order 12630 is an entitled Governmental Action and Interference with Constitutionally Protected Property Rights; and
WHEREAS: The Order reminds all federal entities that governmental actions which restrict the use or value of private property could result in a "taking" for which financial compensation by due process is required; and
WHEREAS: The Order does not, and legally cannot, prohibit taking, but it directs the government to minimize taking and it creates a mechanism for eliminating inadvertent takings.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED: The South Dakota Stockgrowers Association favors incorporation into state policy by the Governor, President Reagan’s Executive Order 12630 that requires all federal departments and agencies to avoid actions which infringe on private property rights.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: The South Dakota Stockgrowers Association favors state legislation that requires all federal departments and agencies to avoid actions which infringe on private property rights.

6. PRIVATIZATION OF EXCESSIVE PUBLIC HOLDINGS

BE IT RESOLVED: The South Dakota Stockgrowers Association backs the concept of privatization of isolated tracts of public holding with right of first refusal by the present user.

7. RE-ACQUIRE FEDERAL LAND

WHEREAS: The Federal Land Policy and Management Act (FLPMA) of 1976 only applies to the National Forests in the eleven Western States, and the Public Rangeland Improvement Act (PRIA) of 1978 applies only to the National Forests in the sixteen Western States and does not apply to the National Grasslands; and
WHEREAS: Section VII of FLPMA states that nothing in this Act is deemed to appeal right under other provisions of law by implication, and PRIA Section Eleven states: "National Grasslands are excluded from all provisions of this Act"; and
WHEREAS: Rules and Regulations have not been published in the Federal Register for Grazing Domestic Livestock on the National Grasslands under the purposes and provisions of "Bankhead-Jones Farm Tenant Act" (BHJFTA) and the Forest Service implies all Forest Service Manual Regulation (that have the impact of law) apply to the National Grasslands; and
WHEREAS: The main specific difference and purpose of provisions in the BHJFTA is local control as opposed to centralized Federal control on National Forests. This is why Congress wrote exclusions into the laws FLPMA and PRIA particularly at Association of National Grasslands requests.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED: All National Grasslands such as ours be purchased by the permit holder and/or local ranchers through low interest economic development funds if Grazing Districts (Associations), County Commissioners, and City Council endorse the concept. It will create a more secure financial structure for the county, the State, and the Federal Government. All around better land management would be another bonus.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: That maximum sustained yield and harvest of forage continue for the main stay of the economy of our country is domestic livestock – cows and calves, background yearling cattle for breeding herds and feedlots, sheep and lambs, and working horses.

8. U. S. CORPS OF ENGINEERS (‘95)

WHEREAS: The Corps of Engineers is moving to transfer lands along the reservoir in Corson County to the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe; and
WHEREAS: Indian Tribes and government agencies are purchasing private land and placing them in trust, removing them the tax rolls.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED: The South Dakota Stockgrowers Association is opposed to land being removed from the tax rolls.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: The South Dakota Stockgrowers Association is in support of legislation which would state the federal government and/or tribal agencies must pay taxes on lands purchased and placed in trust.

9. CONSERVATION EASEMENT (‘01)

WHEREAS: Our great nation, the United States of America, has declared war against terrorists and those who harbor them; and
WHEREAS: The South Dakota Stockgrowers Association understands the need to protect and strengthen our ability to provide a healthy, quality food supply for our nation; and
WHEREAS: The Ag and Natural Resources Committee is concerned with the numerous conservation easements that have been established on thousands of privately-owned acreages across America, creating restrictions over these lands in perpetuity (forever) and establishing federal control and/or restrictions and compliances over these projects/lands.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED: In this time of national crisis, the South Dakota Stockgrowers Association strongly encourages all private property owners who are looking at establishing a conservation easement to stop—refrain from tying up any additional productive American agricultural lands and natural resources. Stop until the war on terrorism and evil is over and a full/thorough investigation can be conducted on the original conservation easement concept meeting and its participants, the origin of the funds being used to promote and purchase easements, and the source of the allocated funding resources.

Whereas: The United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity, with the goal of returning a significant portion of America’s total land to wilderness, though lacking Senate treaty confirmation, was being carried out under former President Clinton’s "Land Legacy" initiative and is still being promoted today by our federal government; and

Whereas: Secretary of the Interior Gale Norton announced a $70 million grant program to go to non-governmental organization (NGOs) such as the Nature Conservancy, for the purpose of acquiring private lands in 29 states, from citizens, whether or not they want to sell, and it is funded through the "Cooperative Endangered Species Conservation Fund" which classifies the land as sanctuaries removed from development; and

Whereas: The state of Montana’s legislature recently denied the sale of Montana land to the Federal government, citing the U.S. Constitutional provision at Art. I Sec. 8 Clause 17, that state land may not be sold to the federal government without their state’s legislative approval, and then only for the establishment of certain Constitutionally approved buildings.

Therefore be it resolved: The South Dakota Stockgrowers Association will work with the S.D. Legislature to provide similar protections for our state and private lands.

WHEREAS: State and Federal agencies are making a concerted effort to control noxious weeds; and

WHEREAS: Custom combines continually scatter these seeds.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED: The South Dakota Stockgrowers Association request the governor to declare all State and Federal highway right-of-ways be mowed and/or sprayed in a timely manner for noxious weed control, maintenance, and safety purposes. Adjacent landowners will be encouraged to mow without cost.

WHEREAS: The general public is being introduced to the idea that livestock grazing conflicts and reduces wildlife; and

WHEREAS: A seven year study at North Dakota Grassland Research Center of Streeter, North Dakota, clearly shows that wildlife production increases (particularly waterfowl) under proper grazing management systems.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED: The South Dakota Stockgrowers Association strongly support the multiple use concept which will continue to improve wildlife production, build a coalition of users, and increase the economic benefits for all counties in the state of South Dakota.

WHEREAS: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has proposed to use Phosphorous in place of Nitrogen to limit the amount of manure applied per acres of land.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED: The South Dakota Stockgrowers Association does not support using Phosphorous to limit land application of manure unless site specific scientific study show phosphorous to be a problem.

4. NATIONAL GRASSLANDS MANAGEMENT (‘99)

WHEREAS: United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Forest Service has issued the Northern Plains Revision to guide future management of the National Grasslands; and

WHEREAS: The Northern Great Plains revision includes proposals to reduce grazing by domestic livestock ten (10) to fifty (50) percent; and

WHEREAS: Domestic livestock grazing reductions of this magnitude will cause economic stress on grassland ranchers, economic stress that will spread throughout rural communities.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED: South Dakota Stockgrowers Association does not support grazing reduction by domestic livestock of ten (10) to fifty (50) percent and believes USDA Forest Service should continue management of the National Grasslands for multiple use including a fair plan for domestic livestock grazing.

5. NOXIOUS WEED CONTROL (‘98)

WHEREAS: Present inspection of combines and harvesting equipment entering South Dakota is very lax; and
WHEREAS: The weed problem in South Dakota should be enforced at our state lines; and
WHEREAS: We have many combines and farm industry machines entering our state from other areas of the United States.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED: The South Dakota Stockgrowers Association encourages the South Dakota Ports of Entry to establish a strict inspection of these machines and seed entering the state.

6. PROPER RANGE MANAGEMENT

WHEREAS: It is recognized that the better plant populations serve as a hedge against major livestock reduction caused by drought; and
WHEREAS: Many undesirable plants can be controlled with competition from desirable and vigorous forage plants; and
WHEREAS: Periods of grazing rest or deferments have been universally shown to improve plant vigor and favor better plant populations.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED: The South Dakota Stockgrowers Association challenge each rancher to adopt his own management system that will provide for proper stocking and a period of rest during the growing season for each pasture.

7. SOIL EROSION SEDIMENTATION CONTROL AND COST SHARING (‘95)

WHEREAS: The National Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) has made important and beneficial contribution to waste management, soil erosion and sedimentation control.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED: The South Dakota Stockgrowers Association considers private property rights of utmost importance and implores government agencies involved to incorporate property rights and management techniques favorable to property owners into cost sharing agreements.

8. WEED AND PEST CONTROL TRUST FUND ESTABLISHMENT

WHEREAS: It has been mandated by the South Dakota Legislature to develop county weed and pest boards for the control of noxious weeds and declared pests in South Dakota; and
WHEREAS: The total burden of funding these boards has been placed upon the taxpayers of each county; and
WHEREAS: The problem of noxious weeds and declared pests is statewide.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED: The South Dakota Stockgrowers Association request that state funding be implemented into the Weed and Pest Control Program to lessen the burden upon the counties and local taxpayers.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: The State Weed and Pest Control Commission appeal to the federal and state government and its agencies to control noxious weeds and declared pests on federal and state land.

9. WEEDS AND PESTS

WHEREAS: Noxious weeds and pests (such as prairie dogs) on federal and state lands are spreading and contaminating private lands.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED: The South Dakota Stockgrowers Association go on record requesting all federal and state land management agencies instigate a more effective weed and pest control program.