"So magnificent a Senerey in a Contry thus Situated far removed from the Sivilised world to be enjoyed by nothing but the Buffalo Elk Deer & Bear in which it abound...." - Captain William Clark

When the first settlers arrived in North Dakota, they were greeted by a sea of tallgrass prairie covering the ancient lake bed of glacial Lake Agassiz. But when the soil of the Sheyenne Delta proved to be rich and fertile, the tallgrass prairie was plowed under. Today less than 1 percent survives in scattered tracts in North Dakota. Fortunately for North Dakotans and the nation as a whole, 70,000 acres of tallgrass prairie are in public ownership within the Sheyenne National Grasslands and are managed by the U.S. Forest Service.

What's at Stake

The Sheyenne grasslands are the largest tract of tallgrass prairie in public ownership in the United States and represent an opportunity to preserve this important ecosystem for future generations. Over 300 species inhabit these grasslands, including the largest population of the western prairie fringed orchid, a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). A portion of the Sheyenne Grasslands is oak savannah, an imperiled ecosystem throughout its United States range. The last remaining population of the greater prairie chicken in North Dakota is found on the Sheyenne Delta as well as the last stronghold of the Dakota skipper butterfly, a candidate for listing under the ESA.

Among the grass-covered sand dunes that comprise much of the area are numerous "blowouts" - wind- eroded areas scooped out of the sides of the dunes. These blowouts create a unique microcosm, with flora and fauna especially adapted to this Sheyenne Delta feature. The Sheyenne River flows through the heart of the public lands and provides the area with a diversity of wildlife habitat and recreational opportunities. Its close proximity to Fargo - North Dakota's largest city - and the scarcity of other public lands in the area make the Sheyenne National Grasslands an important recreational area for many North Dakotans and out-of-state visitors.

The Threats

The biggest threat comes in the form of overgrazing by domestic cattle. Overgrazing causes changes in species composition, stresses plant communities making them vulnerable to invasive exotic species, and inhibits regeneration of woodlands. Many wildlife species are dependent upon taller grass to complete their life-cycle. If overgrazing occurs, there is not enough grass left for nesting cover, concealment or food.

In addition, off-road vehicles (ORVs) and snowmobiles are a growing concern on the Sheyenne. Litter, erosion, wildlife harassment and the spread of weed species are all associated with ORV use. Much of the Sheyenne Delta is mesic, or wet, prairie. Drainage of nearby wetlands for agriculture has also had a negative impact in some areas.

The Solutions

A reduction of cattle numbers and prolonged rest from grazing are essential for a healthy grasslands system.

Ultimately, wilderness protection is the only sure way to protect fragile roadless lands from ORV and snowmobile abuse. The Sierra Club is asking the Forest Service to recommend both of the roadless areas on the Sheyenne National Grasslands as wilderness to protect more of this threatened ecosystem for future generations.

Acquisition of private in-holdings within the boundaries of the Sheyenne National Grasslands would consolidate the Forest Service's control of the Sheyenne Delta and thereby alleviate many management problems including wetlands drainage. Land and Water Conservation Funds or land exchanges could be used to accomplish this consolidation.  

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