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N.D. (NewsDakota.com) – LaMoure, North Dakota Farmer Leonard Peterson has spent the better part of 10 years fighting for his case and wants others to know his may not be the last.

In 2009, Peterson was accused of illegally draining wetlands by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Peterson says he was informed by a federal conservation official he was “doing nothing wrong” by grading land between wetlands. He pointed out that he wanted to make it easier to move farm machinery in the area.

The USDA had denied that Peterson was given the OK for the project and says the ruling was based on substantial evidence. The case was looked at by the North Dakota Supreme Court, who ultimate ruled in favor of Peterson. Court documents found that there wasn’t enough information to determine that Peterson had manipulated the drains for production.

Peterson stated that he wants taxpayers in the state to know that a lot of people have been affected by the USDA. He alleges that the Natural Resources Conservation Service has been misapplying the laws, interpreting them to benefit themselves.

Peterson stated that people have lost farms and counties have lost roads. He says he’ll continue to educate others about what he believes the NRCS and USDA are doing.