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N.D. (AP) — North Dakota’s former state wildlife chief and some Democrats are opposing the potential transfer of public land around Lake Oahe south of Bismarck-Mandan to private landowners.

Randy Kreil (kryl) and some Bismarck-area Democratic legislative candidates say the possible transfer of more than 9,000 acres of federally owned land would be unfair to thousands of hunters, anglers and outdoors enthusiasts who use the land.

The 2015 Legislature passed a bill encouraging Republican Gov. Jack Dalrymple to work with the state’s congressional delegation on a bill in Congress authorizing the transfer to the state of so-called “excess lands” no longer needed for flood control.

The governor’s office says the possible return of some public lands to private ownership is being discussed, but preserving public access in a focus.