Central South Dakota News

U.S. Senator Mike Rounds, representing South Dakota, has reintroduced the Fence Line Fairness Act, aiming to establish a formal mediation process for resolving land boundary disputes between landowners and the United States Forest Service (USFS). Senator Rounds first introduced this legislation in December 2024, but it is being brought before the 119th Congress again.

"Landowners deserve a proper notice and review process regarding land disputes with the federal government," asserted Senator Rounds. He criticized the USFS for alleged reluctance in resolving minor boundary disputes with landowners. "The Fence Line Fairness Act would establish a formal notification and mediation process for USFS and landowners to sit down at the table to discuss disputes in order to avoid an escalation to unnecessary criminal charges and indictments."

The proposed legislation plans to form a committee of appointed producers to mediate disputes and offer feedback to the USFS and producers involved. This committee would comprise producers from South Dakota, with members appointed by the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture and the state's Department of Agriculture or Natural Resources.

In South Dakota, about 2.6 million acres are under federal ownership, mostly managed by the USFS. There are existing provisions for local producers to lease this land to encourage economic activities like grazing or mining while preserving natural resources. It is these boundary disputes that the new legislation aims to address.

Several organizations have thrown their support behind this legislation, including the South Dakota Cattlemen’s Association and the United States Cattlemen’s Association. Carl Sanders from the South Dakota Cattlemen’s Association stated, "Introducing mediation that includes local producers and entities who know the land and know the parties and their operation will resolve issues that come forward regarding minor fence line disputes with the U.S. Forest Service."

Bill Bullard, CEO of R-CALF, supported the bill, saying it is a "common-sense intervention" to mitigate chaos and financial burdens faced by ranchers due to boundary uncertainties. Justin Tupper, President of the U.S. Cattlemen’s Association, praised Senator Rounds's efforts, stating, "The Fence Line Fairness Act would help producers resolve disputes in a more fair, timely, and local manner."

Senator Rounds has consistently advocated for policies intended to limit federal interference with landowners in South Dakota. He recently reintroduced legislation to ensure landowners have a wetland redetermination process through the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service.

For the full text of the bill, interested parties may access it through the provided link.