For those of you interested, audio from the Oil and Gas hearings on proposed new rules for 2016 may be found here: https://www.dmr.nd.gov/oilgas/audio/audio.asp
Yesterday's Dickinson hearing coverage in the Dickinson Press: Proposed public input rule catches more ire
The Dickinson Press' coverage of the Williston hearing: Oil regulators visit spill site amid hearing on tougher regulations
Read MoreA goodly number of people attended the second Oil and Gas hearing in Dickinson on proposed new rules. The majority testified in opposition to defining "interested party" and supported keeping the process open to all.
Bismarck Tribune: Message: Don't mess with public's right
Read MoreGreat turn-out at the first of four hearings. Thanks to all who came out - both testifiers and witnesses.
Bismarck Tribune: Public lashes out at proposed input restrictions
Fargo Forum: ‘Interested party’ definition draws fire at ND oil and gas rules hearing
Read MoreThe ND Oil and Gas Division of the ND Department of Minerals under the ND Industrial Commission (NDIC) will be holding hearings on Proposed Rule Changes for oil and gas regulation, many of which are a commendable move in the right direction. (middle of the home page, highlighted in yellow: https://www.dmr.nd.gov/oilgas/)
However, an arbitrary and capricious “new definition” aimed at who can testify at regular monthly hearings is of great concern to BCA and to others. It is anticipated that the unclear language will exclude public comment entirely and restrict state and federal management agencies.
Read MoreI am proud to be a member of BCA. I feel good about being a conservationist. I even admit, out loud, to being an environmentalist. I feel good about doing my part to try to make our community and state a better place for ourselves and our kids and our babies yet unborn.
But in the last few years—feeling outnumbered, outmaneuvered, and definitely outgunned—I have often hesitated to say anything about my deeply-held belief that we must preserve wilderness. I have been reluctant to speak my mind about the destruction of our wild places. Why the hesitation? I felt, well, alone.
Download the PDF of Wild Badlands #38.
Read MoreThe Annual Fall meeting of the BCA was held on November 1, 2015 at the Discovery Center of the Bismarck Dakota Zoo. Forty members attended including the following Board members: Christine Hogan (president), Rich Brauhn, Lillian Crook, Craig Kilber, Lynn Morgenson, and Tama Smith. Also in attendance were Jan Swenson (executive director), Connie Triplett (past president), and Bonnie Palecek (grants person). After a pot-luck dinner and introductions, the business meeting was convened by President Hogan at 2:05 PM CST.
Download the PDF of Wild Badlands #38.
Read MoreThree Board members were elected at the Annual BCA meeting. Both Lynn Morgenson and Rich Brauhn were elected for their second two-year term. However, a new member to the Board was elected for her first term: Ms. Laura Anhalt from Mandan.
Download the PDF of Wild Badlands #38.
Read MoreTrying something new, BCA held our 2014 Annual Meeting in central ND to even out driving demands. It seemed to work - with our largest ever annual gathering held in the main room of Makoché Recording Studio in downtown Bismarck. Thanks to Mike and David for providing a delightful space complete with BCA visuals and to Lynn, Mike, Robert and David for the extra help with logistics. It was a cozy and exuberant crowd with no one throwing a better potluck than BCA.
Download the PDF of Wild Badlands #38.
Read MoreGiving credit where credit is due, my brother is probably the key to my Badlands bent. He is the one who taught his little sister the wonders of the great outdoors — from my propensity to note and investigate wee details to my exuberance for the derring-do. I was the timid one; he, the bold. He stretched me. Husband David and I took this now longtime Coloradan and BCA member to the northern Badlands over Easter weekend — with some reservation on both his part and ours. Larry hadn’t seen the Bakken Boom.
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