BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — The Natural Resources Conservation Service is defending its use of Ducks Unlimited staff in North Dakota, saying the partnership aids the agency, taxpayers and landowners.

The NRCS has been criticized by the North Dakota Grain Growers Association. That group says the relationship between NRCS and Ducks Unlimited could hurt producers' pocketbooks if the waterfowl nonprofit gains undue influence over decisions regarding private land use.

Ducks Unlimited provides three field staff biologist positions to help NRCS implement two conservation programs. NRCS says those staffers make up fewer than 2 percent of the agency's field office-level staff in the state.

The agency also says DU staff are supervised by NRCS officials and don't conduct wetland compliance checks. Producers who don't comply with wetlands regulations could lose federal farm program eligibility.

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