NDWF Brief: North Dakota Trust Lands Completion Act - Threatening Access to Public Lands and Recreation

There is so much happening in today’s world it’s hard to keep up. Some may choose to simply ignore, but for hunters and public land users, it is essential to stay informed about legislative developments that could impact access to public lands. One such development is the North Dakota Trust Land Completion Act, which has recently moved out of the House Natural Resources Committee, and will soon be heading to the House Floor for a vote. 

The North Dakota Trust Lands Completion Act (NDTLCA) was initially introduced during the 117th Congress on November 3, 2021, as H.R. 5855 by then North Dakota House Representative Kelly Armstrong, who is now the Governor of North Dakota. The bill was reintroduced on March 30, 2023 in both the House (H.R. 2405) and the Senate (S. 1088), but neither version gained traction. A renewed effort was made in March of 2025 by Rep. Julie Fedorchak. With President Trump’s appointment of former governor Doug Burgum as the Director of the Department of Interior (DOI)—which oversees the Bureau of Land Management (BLM)—and a Republican-controlled Congress, proponents believe this environment creates the best opportunity to get NDTLCA passed.

The NDTLCA authorizes the Department of the Interior to exchange certain federal lands in North Dakota, currently managed by the BLM in oil and mineral-rich western North Dakota, for less productive North Dakota State Trust Lands located in the eastern part of the state. The proposed land exchange involves approximately 31,000 surface acres and 130,000 subsurface acres.

According to Rep. Fedorchak’s website, the NDTLCA is designed to be a land consolidation initiative benefiting both the State of North Dakota and North Dakota Tribal Nations. However, the end goal is to maximize returns for the North Dakota Trust Land program by acquiring public lands that contain valuable oil and mineral resources. In addition, by taking BLM lands out of federal ownership, it frees acres up from bureaucratic obstacles.

The potential costs to the American public are significant. The NDTLCA will set a precedent for federal land transfers not only in North Dakota but nationwide. As a result, federally owned public lands—used for hunting, fishing, camping and a range of recreational activities—will be transferred out of public hands. It is important to clarify a common misconception: Trust Land is not the same as public land. While Trust Land may offer limited access for activities such as hunting and berry picking, it doesn’t allow things like camping, recreational shooting, and can also be closed to the public by either the state or the party leasing the property. 

Authorizing the NDTLCA removes hunting and recreation opportunities from North Dakota residents and the American people. This legislation failed to be recognized before because it doesn't serve the public interest, and that remains true.

Call Representative Fedorchak (202) 225-2611 and tell her to pull her support for this bill.