WASHINGTON – Sen. John Hoeven, R-N.D., recently announced the Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) awarded $875,000 to North Dakota Agricultural Mitigation (NDAM), Inc., a partnership between six North Dakota commodity groups that helps agriculture producers cover the costs of establishing wetland banks to meet federal conservation compliance requirements.

Hoeven is ranking member of the Senate Agriculture Appropriations Committee and a senior member of the Senate Agriculture Committee.

“Our farmers and ranchers know their land and are in the best position to properly protect the quality of our soil and water,” said Hoeven “That’s why we’ve worked to make this wetland banking program available. Under this award, NDAM will provide needed flexibility for producers’ operations and help ensure they can comply with federal mandates without having to fully shoulder the resulting burdensome costs.”

“Farmers and ranchers are already facing significant challenges this year, from rising input costs to drought, and federal regulations can make it harder to overcome these difficulties,” said NDAM President Joshua Stutrud. “We created this coalition to empower producers to make the best use of their land, while enhancing the quality of wetlands in our state. That’s a win for producers and the environment, and we appreciate Senator Hoeven’s hard work to make this option available to producers.”