Roosevelt’s legacy honored

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BISMARK — The Forest Service and National Park Service announced Wednesday the nomination of 11,892 acres of Theodore Roosevelt’s former Elkhorn Ranch as a National Historic District.

Elkhorn Ranch is considered by many to be the “Cradle of Conservation.” Roosevelt spent many years in the Badlands of western North Dakota: Hunting, ranching and observing the natural environment especially in the vicinity of the Elkhorn Ranch headquarters, according to a press release from the U.S. Forest Service.

There are more than 13,594 designated historic districts with 36 in North Dakota.

“I am both proud and honored to be able to nominate these lands as a National Historic District in western North Dakota as a tribute to Theodore Roosevelt’s legacy,” said Dave Pieper, Dakota Prairie Grasslands supervisor.

Acknowledgment of the Elkhorn Ranch as a National Historic District is a designation only, and does not place further restrictions on the property. Livestock grazing, minerals, development and recreation use will continue. Any changes in land management will be addressed in the Land and Resource Management Plan amendment process.

The two National Historic District nominating criteria are conservation (including sustained yield) and a connection to a famous person.

As the 26th president, Theodore Roosevelt was a conservationist and believed most land in the public domain should be open to the different uses of the natural resources, but in a sustainable way that maintains them for future generations, according to the press release. Roosevelt doubled the number of National Parks, essentially invented the National Wildlife Refuge System, created the Bureau of Reclamation to reclaim western lands through irrigation and designated 230 million acres as federally protected national forests.

Since the Elkhorn Ranch nomination involves only federal land and a willing private owner, the designation process does not require public comment. However, interested parties can contact any involved federal or state agency such as, Dakota Prairie Grasslands, Theodore Roosevelt National Park or North Dakota SHPO to register support or non-support.

The Elkhorn Ranch nomination process began in October , and it should take about a year for a final determination of eligibility as a National Historic District.

Tags: northland, outdoors, places, recreation