Statement from Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring regarding impacts of pipeline protest to farmers and ranchers in the area.
“Farmers and ranchers near the protest area have not only been threatened and intimidated as they try to go about their normal agricultural activities, but are suffering financial impacts as well. The protestors have been trespassing on private property, cutting fences and stealing hay. We’ve also been able to confirm that numerous livestock, horses and bison have been slaughtered in the area of the camp. Roads are being blocked by activists in masks and motorists are being forced off the road. There is just an overall lack of respect for property and the personal safety of our farmers and ranchers and their families. The protesters want others to adhere to the law but it is hypocritical when they are committing these egregious acts. It illustrates a lack of respect for the health, safety and property of our farmers, ranchers and rural residents and is unacceptable.”
— North Dakota Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring
WASHINGTON, D.C. – In denouncing the recent news of the unlawful butchering and displacement of livestock near Cannon Ball, U.S. Senators Heidi Heitkamp, John Hoeven, and Congressman Kevin Cramer today called for federal resources to support the efforts of Morton County law enforcement to keep tribes, ranchers, workers, and their property safe.
“When tensions are high, North Dakotans have always been able to count on one another to treat our neighbors, our land, and our livestock with dignity and respect,” said Heitkamp. “That’s what makes the news of unlawful butchering and taking of livestock so appalling. If the Administration is serious about maintaining the peace and sanctity of this land and our communities, it’s absolutely critical that it steps in with the support our local law enforcement needs to keep our ranchers, our tribes, and the protesters protected. For months I’ve been pushing our federal agencies to provide the resources and certainty North Dakotans need, and I’ll keep it up – because no family or business should have to fear for their personal safety or the safety of their property.”
“Stealing and butchering livestock is something no one can justify,” said Hoeven. “It represents not only the destruction of private property, but also deprives hardworking ranchers of their livelihood and causes them to fear for the safety of themselves and their families. We continue our call for the Obama Administration to provide much-needed assistance to state and local law enforcement to ensure that people and property are protected from this kind of unlawful activity. Also, the administration needs to act decisively and allow pipeline construction to proceed to completion so that the protest can be brought to an end and residents can resume their lives without fear of harm.”
“The Administration is to blame for this senseless act,” said Cramer. “Unfortunately, the President and his bureaucrats will be able to hide behind sovereign immunity, providing no means for civil relief from those who are most at fault. Just what must occur before Washington will step in and end this?”
Click here to read the letter sent to U.S. Department of Justice Attorney General Loretta Lynch, U.S. Department of the Interior Secretary Sally Jewell, and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Commanding General Lieutenant Todd Semonite, requesting federal reinforcements for North Dakota state and federal law enforcement.
Source: North Dakota Stockmen's Association
Pixabay photo: CC0 Public Domain
