News Roundup: Maah Daah Hey National Monument
The Maah Daah Hey National Monument campaign was launched on November 22, 2024. You can learn more about the campaign at the coalition’s official website, ProtectMDH.com.
On the website, you can find:
The national monument proposal.
Mike Barthelemy’s Mandan Hidatsa Cultural Landscape Perspective.
Please show your support by signing the petition calling on the president to designate the national monument.
Coalition members include Shannon Straight of Badlands Conservation Alliance, Scott Skokos of Dakota Resource Council, Todd Leake of Dacotah Chapter of Sierra Club, Rep. Lisa Finley-DeVille, Nicole Donaghy of North Dakota Native Vote, John Bradley of North Dakota Wildlife Federation, and Mike Barthelemy.
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News Updates: MDHNM Campaign
Shannon Straight, The Forum: “Letter: We need to preserve the Maah Daah Hey landscape for future generations” (Dec. 19, 2024)
“Recently, ND residents stated a desire for more environmental protections while developing ND’s energy resources. The proposed monument doesn’t prevent directional or horizontal drilling for oil and gas development. The monument would protect the dwindling grasslands vital to ranchers. North Dakota could create a unique, first of its kind national beef product sourced from national monument grasslands that tells the story of our hardworking ranch families.” (Shannon Straight)
Dave Pieper, The Bismarck Tribune: “Monument would fit multiple-use mandate” (Dec. 19, 2024)
“Currently, livestock grazing occurs on nearly every acre of the 1 million acre Little Missouri National Grassland. The oil and gas industry has access to roughly 94% of these lands with various stipulations. About 40,000 acres of land suitable for wilderness remain but have not been designated. In my view, it's time for designation and protection of culturally sensitive lands and unique recreational facilities and landscapes.” (Dave Pieper)
Jeff Beach, North Dakota Monitor: “Burgum staff were briefed on Badlands monument plan he called a ‘surprise’” (Dec. 17, 2024)
“Burgum’s staff had been briefed on the proposal months earlier. An email from John Reiten, a Burgum policy adviser, to John Bradley of the North Dakota Wildlife Federation on May 9 complimented a presentation on the monument made in February and inquired about any updates.” (Jeff Beach)
Rob Port, The Forum: “MHA Nation is reconsidering support for Maah Daah Hey National Monument” (Dec. 17, 2024)
Mike McFeely, The Forum: “Biden should designate ND national monument ASAP” (Dec. 16, 2024)
“It's not a land grab or federal overreach or a top-down unilateral decision or a slippery slope. Those are words used to scare. It's not restricting oil development in western North Dakota — because oil development is not currently allowed on the land that would be designated as a national monument.” (Mike McFeely)
Lillian Crook, The Forum: “Letter: Shame on Sens. Patten and Kessel” (Dec. 16, 2024)
Sens. Dale Patten and Greg Kessel, The Forum: “Letter: National monument proposal needs input from all stakeholders” (Dec. 15, 2024)
Jim Fuglie, The Forum: “Letter: Hennen's national monument column not based in facts” (Dec. 10, 2024)
Scott Hennen, The Forum: “National monument proposal is a really bad idea” (Dec. 7, 2024)
Michael Anthony, KFYR: “McKenzie County commissioners oppose national monument designation for Maah Daah Hey Trail” (Dec. 4, 2024)
Ron Gaul, The Forum: “Letter: Maah Daah Hey area is a ND treasure” (Dec. 2, 2024)
Rob Port, The Forum: “The Maah Daah Hey monument sounds interesting, but the proponents should be ready to compromise” (Nov. 30, 2024)
Lisa Finley-DeVille: “The Badlands are not just a geographical feature—they are a living part of our identity.” (Nov. 30, 2024)
“The Maah Daah Hey trail winds through the North Dakota Badlands, a land steeped in our history, but whose indigenous narrative has been too often overlooked. By designating this land as a National Monument, we hope to restore recognition to our ancestors who have lived, hunted, and prayed there for centuries.” (Lisa Finley-DeVille)
Bismarck Tribune editorial: “Maah Daah Hey needs to be 1st monument in ND” (Nov. 30, 2024)
“The Maah Daah Hey Trail area is an invaluable asset to North Dakota and the nation. It needs to be preserved. You can hike it, get on a bike or horse, and have an experience you will remember forever. The Tribune Editorial Board believes Biden needs to act, and if he doesn’t, that Trump should. North Dakota and the nation needs the monument.” (Tribune Editorial Board)
Jack Dura, AP News: “National monument proposed for North Dakota Badlands, with tribes’ support” (Nov. 23, 2024)
“Dozens if not hundreds of oil and natural gas wells dot the landscape where the proposed monument would span, according to the supporters’ map. But the proposed units have no oil and gas leases, private inholdings or surface occupancy, and no grazing leases would be removed, said North Dakota Wildlife Federation Executive Director John Bradley.” (Jack Dura)
Jim Fuglie, The Prairie Blog: “A New National Monument in North Dakota!” (Nov. 22, 2024)
Justin Gick, KFYR: “Advocates push for President Biden to designate the Maah Daah Hey as a National Monument” (Nov. 22, 2024)
The Forum of Fargo-Moorhead: “Tribally led coalition calls for national monument in North Dakota badlands” (Nov. 22, 2024)
Joey Harris, The Bismarck Tribune: “National monument proposed in western North Dakota's Badlands” (Nov. 22, 2024)
“A national monument designation gives parcels of land greater conservation protection. Hunting, biking and a number of other uses are generally allowed at national monuments. The group said the monument would also be open to cattle grazing.” (Joey Harris)
Mary Steurer, North Dakota Monitor: “National monument proposed for North Dakota Badlands” (Nov. 22, 2024)
“With its close proximity to President Theodore Roosevelt National Park, the area is popularly remembered for its ties to the former president and cowboy culture. The country should honor Native historical and cultural ties to the land as well, said Michael Barthelemy, director of Native Studies at Nueta, Hidatsa, Sahnish College in New Town.” (Mary Steurer)
Follow the Maah Daah Hey National Monument campaign by visiting ProtectMDH.com as well as the coalition’s official Facebook and Instagram.