Autumn 2014 Issue No. 36 page 1 Wild Badlands Badlands Conservation Alliance www.badlandsconservationalliance.org Autumn 2014 Issue No. 36 Message from the President Fellow BCA Members, organizations as they seek to understand the It has been one of the joys of my life to serve as transformation taking place in western ND. president of the BCA board of directors for the Your BCA board and staff have also put a past three years. As with any volunteer activity significant amount of time and energy over the that one does with a willing heart, I have received past two years into increased cooperation and so much more that I have given! collaboration with other groups having similar or Thanks for the companionship and the related missions. mentoring: to every member who has Included are groups whose focus in ND is participated in a BCA outing or an annual specific to a certain geographic place, such as meeting potluck, I have enjoyed your company the National Parks Conservation Association and I have learned something of value from each (NPCA), the National Trust for Historic of you. Thanks to everyone who has served on Preservation, and the Friends of Theodore the board during my term as a board member. Roosevelt National Park, all of which have as Finding a group like BCA with deeply-held their main mission within ND the preservation shared values and a commitment to work for of the integrity of our only national park, those values with civility and integrity has been especially the tiny Elkhorn Unit and the area truly inspirational for me. surrounding it; and the Killdeer Mountain A very special thanks to our Executive Director Alliance (KMA) whose members focus on that Jan Swenson whose passion and energy make it specific geographic area. so easy for the board to look good. BCA also works with groups having a statewide As we watched our last hope for the introduction focus such as the ND Natural Resources Trust, of a Wilderness bill fade away for the near the Dakota Resources Council (DRC), the ND term (please know that we are not giving up on Chapter of The Wildlife Society, the Dacotah Autumn along the Little Missouri Chapter of the Sierra Club, and the Coalition for by Rich Brauhn Wilderness for the long term) with Kent Conrad’s departure from the U.S. Senate in December Clean Water, Wildlife, and Parks. 2012, we turned our attention primarily to state We participate in the Northern Plains governance issues and federal agency actions. As Conservation Network (NPCN) which is a Founded in 1999. every BCA member knows, with the multitude collaboration of more than 25 organizations Incorporated in the state of of issues impacting our beloved Badlands, there working together to conserve the wildlife, September 2001. has been no shortage of work in that arena. habitats, and ecological processes of the Northern We have learned that increased attention from Great Plains. Participating in the NPCN has the national media is the most effective way introduced BCA to people with connections to to encourage positive action from our state global organizations such as the World Wildlife government. The issues around flaring, spills, Fund. BOARD OF DIRECTORS waste disposal, and rail safety have each seen The increased level of information-sharing positive responses from various aspects of ND and activity-coordination has allowed us to Connie Triplett, President state government only when pressure from have access at the very highest levels of the Lillian Crook outside the state begins to build. U.S. Department of the Interior and the U.S. Department of Agriculture, something we likely Carl Sorensen The cynic in me believes that’s because the money to fund oil development comes almost could not have accomplished on our own. Tom Dahle entirely from out-of-state and because the As Jan reports elsewhere in this newsletter, BCA Margi Coyle markets for the petroleum products are largely continues its tradition of submitting comment out-of-state. So it matters when equity bankers letters to state and federal agencies on many Lynn Morgenson in New York decide that flaring is a bad thing or proposed actions that threaten the Badlands. Rich Brauhn when the State of California begins to suggest BCA is making a difference in developing public that Bakken oil might not be welcome in that policy at the intersection between the free market Jan Swenson, Executive Director state. economy and necessary protective measures for Jan Swenson has worked tirelessly to enhance the environment and values that North Dakotans BCA’s visibility. She has succeeded in becoming hold dear. one of a very few “go-to” people for visitors On behalf of your board of directors, I encourage to North Dakota who want an environmental and challenge each member of this wonderful BCA Field Office/Jan Swenson perspective on events occurring in the oil patch. organization to contribute as much you can. We 801 N 10 St. • Bismarck, ND 58501 She has granted numerous interviews and given need your time, your energy, your ideas, and 701-255-4958 • [email protected] many tours for visiting journalists, activists, and your tax-deductible donations. members of national and worldwide conservation Connie Triplett, Grand Forks, ND page 2 Badlands Conservation Alliance

Badlands Conservation Alliance

SW North Dakota in the Fall Accom plishments for 201by Rich Brauhn 4 • BCA gathered for our 2013 Annual Education (Carl Sorensen, Chair), his favorite off-trail routes in the northeast Meeting in the Community Room Communications (Margi Coyle, Chair) corner of Theodore Roosevelt Wilderness. of the Dickinson Area Public Library and Funding & Development (Tom Conditions were beautiful, if breezy. the afternoon of Saturday, November Dahle, Chair). Members at large are Gourmet chocolate substituted nicely for 2. Following potluck lunch and a brief always encouraged to get in touch as you champagne as we celebrated a recent win. business meeting, group discussion see yourselves adding to the effectiveness Efforts by TRNP & BCA in cooperation focused on current issues including the of committee work. with Horizon Oilfield Services resulted in proposed Basin Electric transmission • BCA’s newsletter Wild Badlands is the work the withdrawal of an application to build line past the Killdeer Mountains, the of our Communications Committee. a saltwater disposal facility near the Park’s “eye of the needle” and the North Unit Thanks to past editor Mariah Lancaster northern boundary. Much thanks to all of Theodore Roosevelt National Park, and to current editor Rich Brauhn. involved including CEO George Tingo. the Special Places policy as proposed by • Thanks to dedicated funding from the Green, Green Grass of Home – Saturday, Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem, the Tortuga Foundation, BCA has employed June 28, 2014 Dakota Prairie Grasslands Oil and Gas a professional grant writer. Bonnie RFD analysis and Supplemental EIS, the In early May, the South Unit of TRNP Palecek, a BCA member, has over 30 proposed Little Missouri River bridge implemented a prescribed burn over 2500 years experience in the non-profit sector. Draft EIS, and the proposed Theodore acres east of Wind Canyon from the Park’s BCA staff and Palecek meet regularly on Roosevelt Expressway expansion as it scenic road to Jones Creek Trail. With the Monday mornings to further BCA efforts would impact the Park. aid of clay buttes, moist drainage and areas to expand our funding base. Wish us well. of bare ground, fire technicians created a • Elected at the 2013 annual meeting, Rich • A year-end membership drive proved mosaic of burned and unburned areas as Brauhn and Lynn Morgenson joined successful in 2013. Watch for your expected in a naturally occurring fire. ongoing board members for the annual 2014 renewal mailing to arrive around Board Retreat held in Bismarck on March Fuels specialist Cory Andvik and seasonal Thanksgiving – a perfect time for 15. Concentrated hard work on issues, fire technician Anthony Schultz briefed us recommitting to our BCA mission. Each strategies, finances and capacity building at the visitor center and shared stories & new or renewing member is an asset. Rally were addressed at this full day meeting - slides of the actual fire before re-joining friends and family to join – membership is with participants taking a much deserved us at the Jones Creek trailhead to show available via BCA’s webpage. break for lunch and a refreshing visit to the off their fire truck and equipment. BCA Birds in Art exhibit at the Heritage Center. • Thanks to those individual BCA members gained a real appreciation of the labor and who have gifted our mission with generous technology of prescribed burns. Plus, that • Join BCA staff in thanking your contributions well beyond customary drip torch demonstration was pretty cool! Board members for their attention to membership dues. Each $25 membership Thanks, fire guys! organizational business, whether by face- is the hammer and nails that builds us. to-face meetings, email or phone. Special Our actual hike began just east of the Those of you having given $2500 or appreciation to retiring Board members Roundup Horse Camp with pronghorn $1000 or $400 or $250 or $100 or $75 or Margi, Tom, Carl and Connie, the latter putting on a memorable game of chase as $50 are the wind that lifts us higher. You three having served the maximum three we approached the burn area – each know who you are. consecutive terms allowed by BCA bylaws. newly luxuriant with green grass and Their dedication has been remarkable! • BCA held outings: exuberant wildflowers. Connie Triplett as past president will Earth Day at the North Unit – Saturday, Participants kept an eye on the darkening continue on the Board for 2015 in an April 26, 2014 sky, but we made good tracks prior to advisory capacity. Sometimes ya’ just gotta play and so we lightening and big cold drops of rain • BCA committees for 2013 included did, following David Kingman on one of forcing us off the ridge and into the Autumn 2014 Issue No. 36 page 3

bottoms. Our goal was cut short, but we Sunday morning to explore the Petrified conference call and by email on a regular made up for it with good conversation at Forest topped off a great overnight. basis. A face-to-face Fargo meeting the Cottonwood Picnic Area. A good day. Goodbyes were slow in coming – always a on January 25th of 2014 preceded an 50th Anniversary Celebration good sign! afternoon Hunting Heritage Summit of The Wilderness Act – • 2014 has been a year of pedal-to-the-metal open to the public and team organizations. Saturday & Sunday, darn hard work for BCA in our efforts The team’s concentration on the Elkhorn September 6 & 7, 2014 to protect and preserve the Badlands Ranch Unit of TRNP and USFS-managed Between Friday evening and Saturday landscape of western North Dakota. Some Elkhorn Ranchlands had spurred two morning arrivals at Sully Creek State Park, actions have become routine as monthly joint letters in December 2014: the first to a goodly number of BCA-ers gathered watch-dogging and testimony at the USFS Chief Tom Tidwell and the second from near and far to greet Saturday’s ND Department of Minerals Resources’ to Interior Secretary Sally Jewell. Bullion Butte (Suitable for Wilderness) monthly Oil and Gas Division hearings. Team member ELPC (Environmental destination. While some hikers stopped BCA has written letters on 53 individual Law and Policy Center) hosted a Bakken midway up the butte’s eastern flank to cases in the last year and appeared at the Strategy Summit on June 6 & 7 in muse and watch the autumn light play on hearings to voice our concerns. Bismarck, drawing in additional national Badlands landscape, veteran Bullion hiker TRNP regularly appears on cases organizations showing interests in ND’s Craig Kilber lead the majority to the top impacting the Park. BCA actively urges Bakken - Ceres, the Environmental for the spectacular 360-degree view and participation by other state and federal Defense Fund (flaring), and the Natural a mandatory visit to the stone house on agencies, and we have seen some mild Resources Defense Council (water) among a 40-acre private inholding within the improvement in that direction from the them. Focus was on regulation and policy, U-shaped canyon of Bullion’s southern USFS and ND Parks and Rec. both state and federal. face. Similarly, we attend the majority of ND BCA, The National Trust for Historic Saturday evening brought a well tended Industrial Commission meetings, often Preservation, the Boone and Crockett campfire (thanks, Greg) for our celebration to follow-up on cases, frequently to Club, the Friends of the Elkhorn Ranch of The Wilderness Act, replete with hear report on industry developments and the National Parks Conservation scrumptious cake provided by Connie. available in no other venue. Attorney Association each filed letters of objection We even serenaded the night skies with General Stenehjem recently referred to in opposition to the Record of Decision a BCA rendition of Happy Birthday BCA as “eagle eyes” and we take that as a for proposed gravel mining on the USFS Wilderness. Coyotes seemed to like it! compliment. Elkhorn Ranchlands and within the Less vigorous but equally fulfilling, our • The nearly two-year-old Elkhorn Strategy viewshed of the Elkhorn Ranch Unit of trip into TRNP’s south unit Wilderness on Team continues to meet by monthly continued on page 4

New Board Member Profile Craig Kilber Growing up in Dickinson, North Dakota allowed With more and more me the opportunity to explore just about every development of the butte and ravine in the Badlands. From hunting, Badlands’ natural hiking, mountain biking, and rock climbing - yes, resources, there needs it is possible to rock climb on Sentinel Butte - each to be more attention part of the Badlands offered something different to preservation for me to enjoy. For five summers during college, I and responsible Craig Kilber worked on the crew for the US development to ensure future generations can Forest Service. While on the trail crew, I was able also enjoy the Badlands. I joined the Badlands to build new trail, maintain existing trail, construct Conservation Alliance because I wanted to be a campgrounds, and fight wild land forest fires. It also part of a group that not only wants to protect the gave me an appreciation for the Badlands’ rugged area, but also enjoys the Badlands for what they are. environment and all that offers. Although I currently As a new Board member, I will bring new ideas to reside in Fargo where I am a Business Development the group to help promote our goals, increase our Analyst for InterceptEFT, I spend as much time as I membership, and better communicate with our can in the Badlands. current membership and the public. page 4 Badlands Conservation Alliance

Continued from page 3 TRNP. A resolution meeting was held conservation in ND. Furthermore, it was Record of Decision for the DPGs. Primary on July 21, 2014 and all parties continue the first time a high-ranking state official participants seem to include grazing to push for an exchange of the gravel actually said there even were places worth association reps and DPG Supervisor minerals. Final resolution is pending. protecting from development. The policy Dennis Neitzke. Congressional, DTL and • BCA attended the NDCWS annual identifies 18 special places, some of them NDGF staff also attend. meeting Coping with North Dakota’s as large as the shoreline of Lake Sakakawea Similarly, when the ND Congressional Changing Landscape on February 12-14 or the Little Missouri River corridor, some delegation hosted USFS Chief Tom in Mandan where we for the first time as specific as Pretty or Sentinel Butte. Tidwell’s visit to the state with a heard Minerals Dept. Director Lynn BCA must be vigilant in defending roundtable discussion in Dickinson on Helms claim 5 generations into the future what we have during the upcoming ND May 30th, BCA was there. The majority for final reclamation of the Bakken. We Legislative session, and continue to rally of the attendees were permittees and the better hang tough. And our kids’ kids’ for improvement in both content and main topic grazing, but oil impacts on kids’ kids. implementation. ranching did come up. Senator Hoeven • The Special Places policy put forward • The Special Places effort also resulted in acknowledged BCA in his comments. before the ND Industrial Commission establishment of an ongoing working • BCA has participated in the NEPA by Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem group that meets on a nearly weekly basis process for the North Billings County became an Extraordinary Places policy to share information, coordinate actions, Allotment Management Plan Revisions and finally a Drilling Permit Review Policy and instigate joint meetings with federal & since 2009. We filed formal objection as adopted on March 3, 2014. The name state agencies and influential individuals. notice to the Record of Decision on the changes themselves tell the story. It is another “team” worth keeping. project on April 24th on the grounds BCA was intimately involved in the process • BCA attended the Dickinson May 9th that an additional alternative was being supporting the AG’s aim to identify and Bureau of Land Management’s Forum on offered without proper analysis or public protect some portion of western ND’s Venting & Flaring of Gas Produced from participation as required by NEPA. landscape and noted landmarks from the Onshore Federal and submitted formal A resolution hearing was held in Dickinson negative impacts of oil development. The comments calling for re-definitions of on June 2. Objectors at the table included resulting NDIC policy is much weaker waste, tighter regulation, more strident a representative of the Medora Grazing than proponents’ original intent with monitoring standards, and attention to Association, three additional public private lands removed from consideration environmental and health costs. lands ranchers for themselves, the ND and language changes that minimize • BCA continues to monitor grazing Game and Fish Department, Western effectiveness. The policy as interpreted activities on the Dakota Prairie Grasslands Watersheds Project and BCA. currently by the ND Oil and Gas Division albeit with somewhat less detail than in • On May 20th and 21st, BCA hosted the comes into play only at the application for pre-Bakken days. bi-annual meeting of the Northern Plains permit to drill a well – much too late for We have been monitoring meetings Conservation Network in Medora, ND. beneficial mitigation to be totally effective. facilitated by ND Agriculture This network of 25 organizations and The policy campaign did, however, force Commissioner Doug Goehring that revisit 80 individuals working in conservation public discussion to the forefront and the September 2006 Livestock Grazing across the region and including Canada made clear the allies and opponents of focuses on landscape scale protection and Annual Membership Meeting The Annual Meeting of Badlands Conservation Alliance was held in will continue in an advisory capacity for one additional year. Triplett’s the Makoche Studios in Bismarck at 1 PM on November 1st with 42 Message from the President as appeared in the 2014 annual meeting members in attendance. After a potluck dinner with many delicious report opens this newsletter. dishes and luscious desserts brought by members, a short business Mr. Chad Sexton who is the GIS Analyst at Theodore Roosevelt meeting was held. National Park gave a presentation regarding the use of GIS Executive Director Jan Swenson gave a report regarding last year’s technology to map view sheds within the park. Over 92,000 view accomplishments and BCA activities, which are included in this shed points have been mapped. The maps will be used by the Park newsletter. She also reviewed the BCA budget. The current balance Service at future oil and gas hearings and as regards other proposed is $41,886. Upcoming membership dues will augment this budget. projects that impact the Park. TRNP has shared the analysis with the President Connie Triplett gave a report outlining BCA’s continuing Bureau of Land Management to increase the coordination between work to establish Prairie Legacy Wilderness in the Little Missouri federal agencies. and current efforts regarding oil and gas In the open discussion part of the meeting, many issues were brought development impacts. She also indicated how BCA testimony had forth from the floor and were discussed by the membership with been vital in ND Oil and Gas Division hearings, on State School regard to information and strategy. The USDA Rural Utilities Land leasing and other conservation measures. This will be Connie’s Service Decision to support routing the Basin Electric transmission last year serving on the Board and as President. As Past President she line in the Killdeer Battlefield area and through the Long X corridor Autumn 2014 Issue No. 36 page 5

restoration. BCA has participated since the network’s inception nearly 15 years ago. The shared mission involves diverse BCA’s Gerry participants ranging from the Alberta Groenewold Wilderness Association to Defenders of gives an Wildlife to Lower Brule and Oglala tribal impromptu entities to the Wildlife Conservation geology Society, the World Wildlife Fund and lesson BCA. by Graham It was an excellent opportunity to educate Swenson on oil and gas development in western North while sharing the landscape’s inherent values in need of advocates across the region and nation. Special thanks to additional tour guides Mike McEnroe tour focused on spills, leaks and aging Trust’s Keith Trego, Theodore’s great-great (NDCWS), Valerie Naylor (TRNP), and infrastructure. We visited a saltwater grandson Winthrop Roosevelt and BCA’s Jay Frederick (McKenzie Ranger District) pipeline spill at the Shade ranch on Tracy Jan Swenson. Authored by Melanie D. for the generosity of their time and Mountain, a flood-related oil spill on the G. Kaplan, it asks “What Would Teddy expertise. Yellowstone floodplain within the Oxbow Do” and is worth finding on the net: Wildlife Management Area, old and http://www.npca.org/news/magazine/all- • As should be clear by now, 2014 has been failing infrastructure being put into use by issues/2014/summer/drilling-down.html a year of coalition building – an outcome current Bakken activity on USFS lands in • The Western Land Commissioners Oil much needed and worthy of celebration. the Charleson Field on the south shores We give special recognition and thanks to Impact Symposium was held in Bismarck of Lake Sakakawea. Each stop included in July. BCA attended that portion relating one of our earliest and most active allies – expert guides - whether private, state or the ND Chapter of the Wildlife Society. to wildlife habitat and the Endangered federal. Species Act. 2014 is the fourth year NDCWS members Sapa and McEnroe always follow up with • BCA’s ongoing opposition to oil and Al Sapa and Mike McEnroe organized and a report in Dakota Country Magazine. hosted an annual Energy Tour, getting a gas leasing of state school lands within Check out the September 2014 issue for or impacting Suitable for Wilderness and dedicated bunch of activists out on the details. ground to survey up close and often other sensitive habitat that is managed uncomfortably the impacts of oil and • The National Parks Conservation by the ND Department of Trust lands gas development in western ND. Forum Association featured TRNP in the summer (DTL) continues. Fourteen tracts in reporter Amy Dalrymple accompanied us issue of its National Parks magazine with five separate sections within or adjacent throughout. quotes from Superintendent Naylor, to Bullion Butte and Kendley Plateau Chief of Resource Management Bill were again nominated for lease sale at the This year’s June 6th through the 9th Whitworth, ND Natural Resources continued on page 6

and across the Little Missouri River was identified as an on-going A special recognition was given to Ms. Valerie Naylor who is retiring issue which will have to be watched closely by BCA membership. from her service as the Superintendent of the Theodore Roosevelt Difficulty with engineering the planned eastern leg of the proposed National Park. Valerie has been a good friend and comrade to BCA transmission loop could lead to further impacts to TRNP. The status in its endeavors to preserve the Badlands and the natural beauty of of the bridge and gravel pit development near the Elkhorn Ranch of western North Dakota. the Theodore Roosevelt National Park is also a major issue that has Ms. Naylor presented BCA with a $1,000 gift and pledged to not been resolved and will bear watching. continue her support of BCA as a member. BCA greatly appreciates Four members were elected to the Board of Directors. Ms. Christine the support Valerie has provided the organization and we wish her Hogan, a Bismarck attorney, has enjoyed the Badlands since moving to well in her retirement. North Dakota from Colorado in 1975. Mr. Craig Kilber is a business The meeting ended with door prizes ranging from jars of jelly to a development analyst from Fargo and is originally from Dickinson. Mr. bottle of “Bison” bourbon being awarded. All in all, the meeting was David Kingman hails from Minneapolis and now resides in Watford a great success and it is heartwarming to see so many members from City where he is involved in workforce housing. Finally, Ms. Tama all over the state in attendance. We invite all members to attend the Smith comes to us from Belfield where she owns and operates Prairie next meeting and look forward to meeting you. Fire Pottery with her husband. We welcome all these new Board Directors and look forward to their ideas and energies. Rich Brauhn, Board of Directors page 6 Badlands Conservation Alliance

Continued from page 5 all the individual BCA members who submit additional comments on June August 2014 auction. ND Chapter of the have devoted their volunteer time to the 27th, countering their dismissal of both Wildlife Society’s Mike McEnroe and BCA campaign. Now get out and vote. eastern alternatives as a misapplication Swenson met with DTL Commissioner of the NEPA process requirement for Lance Gaebe, Minerals Division Director • Last year’s annual report stated that we’d a range of reasonable alternatives that Drew Combs and Surface Management “hang tough” on the proposed Basin adequately satisfied purpose and need. Director Mike Brand on July 17th to ask Electric 345kV transmission line as it We also requested that they fully analyze that the parcels be withdrawn. impacted the Killdeer Mountains, the eye of the needle twixt Long X Divide and an alternative that would co-locate the Protest and negotiation resulted in formal Lone Butte roadless areas, and the North existing WAPA (Western Area Power suspension of the 14 tracts by Gaebe at Unit of TRNP. Authority) line with the Basin line the July 31 meeting of the Land Board. through the Little Missouri River Valley We continued to work with the USFS Further discussion by the Board turned and past the Park should that alternative in both the Supervisor’s office and the consideration of possible exchange with be the final decision. other federal or state minerals over to the McKenzie Ranger District throughout Prior to release by the USFS of their Draft Attorney General’s office for initial review. this period urging the agency to deny a special use permit allowing the proposed Record of Decision on the project, local At the encouragement of Minerals line through the eye of the needle. We communications made it clear that strong, Director Combs, McEnroe and Swenson argued in favor of what is acknowledged as inflexible ND Congressional pressure was attended the September 23 meeting of the the Environmentally Preferred Alternative being applied in Basin’s favor. BLM Dakota Resource Advisory Council BCA filed a USFS in Sturgis, SD to state objection on July 22, our case for exchange which was accepted, and and support of HR 4901 a resolution meeting recently introduced in was held on August 21 the US Congress, which in Bismarck. Seventeen would offer a mechanism participants were in for such exchanges across attendance. In the the nation’s western room were Supervisor states. Neitzke, Jan Swenson • The Sporting and Oil for BCA, and Chief of Industry Forum met twice Resource Management in 2014 – March 25 and Bill Whitworth for TRNP August 12. Conservation as an interested but participants met several unofficial party. On the times prior to the March phone were 3 Basin reps, meeting to redefine our Dennis Rankin for RUS, expectations for the a member of the Louis Forum and to develop Berger Group, 2 team as requested a number members from WAPA and of “projects” to bring 7 additional Forest Service forward to the larger personnel from Regional group for consideration Northern Plains Conservation Network tour at Buck Hill in offices out of Missoula and funding. the South Unit of the Theodore Roosevelt National Parkby Jan Swenson and from the McKenzie Conservation framed Ranger District. project proposals at the landscape level in the FEIS: double circuiting the lines Again, BCA made our case for the with no cap on dollars. Follow-up Forum east of the Killdeer Mountains and therein protection of the Little Missouri River discussion made it clear that industry crossing the Little Missouri Badlands only Valley, the National Park, Long X Divide wants only small, feel-good projects and if once rather than twice as Basin’s preferred and Lone Butte. We also spoke on there is any future for the Forum it lies in alternative would force. behalf of the historical significance of mutually educational opportunities, not BCA attended work sessions and regular the Killdeer Mountains. We objected on policy or landscape scale assistance. meetings on the project before the ND the grounds of a failed NEPA process, What role BCA may or may not play in Public Service Commission. A PSC failure to fully comply with the October the Forum’s future is undecided, but we corridor decision for the HWY 85 portion 2009 Memorandum of Understanding did fulfill a commitment to presenting on of the project was delayed on April 10th for siting of transmission lines on federal Wilderness, and specifically Prairie Legacy at the request of Commissioner Fedorchak lands, and insisted that full analysis be Wilderness at the August meeting. but was approved unanimously on April given to collocation through the Little • The Forum discussion above underscores 23rd. Missouri River Valley as permissible under BCA’s support for the Clean Water, On January 16, 2014 BCA attended the a variance offered in Midwest Reliability Wildlife and Parks initiative. The cost Rural Utilities Services hearing on the Organization (MRO) standard TPL-503- of doing conservation in North Dakota Supplemental Draft EIS and submitted MRO-01, System Performance, Section is considerable and will only grow. The formal comments on January 31. The R1.2. current Outdoor Heritage Fund does release of the Final Impact Statement The DPG ROD signed by Supervisor not begin to meet needs. Thanks to in May of 2014 prompted BCA to Neitzke on September 9th supported Autumn 2014 Issue No. 36 page 7

Basin’s preferred alternative creating a loop and dedicated members of the Committee • Earthjustice continues to represent us and crossing the Little Missouri Badlands from across the nation joined three in our petition for intervenor status not once, but twice. On September WWF staffers, including BCA friend in lawsuits filed by the State of North 13, the RUS published their ROD in Martha Kauffman, director of their NGP Dakota and the four counties on the support of Alternative C, Basin’s preferred program. Little Missouri National Grassland, which alternative. It is beneficial to all to have such exchange claims ownership of the sections lines BCA recognizes the increasing demand of on-the-ground realities, opportunities on those public lands, would allow for for electricity in western North Dakota for collaboration and best steps for moving road building and increase difficulties for due to oil and gas development. We forward. Again, thanks to Connie Triplett, Wilderness designation. wish hardship on no affected parties. We Mike McEnroe and Valerie Naylor for On October 6th EJ provided oral do, however, remain aghast that a long sharing their time and expertise. argument before the US 8th Circuit respected rural electric cooperative could • BCA members attended the retirement Court of Appeals in St. Paul, MN. We’ll not find it reasonable to pursue a route party for TRNP Superintendent Valerie keep you posted. and conditions necessary to protect at the Naylor on September 28th in Medora. It • Finally, thanks to Mary and Rob Sand for very least the integrity of a National Park is difficult to see her go, but we wish her keeping BCA abreast of the efforts of the and the many layered historical values of the very best. And, will encourage her Killdeer Mountain Alliance and to BCA the Killdeer Mountains. vow of continued advocacy for the wild members who enhance KMA’s work. But this story is not done. Recently a lands of western ND. To David for his ability to connect the Basin Electric employee listened intently BCA presented her with a large dots. To Connie for her endless advisory to BCA concerns about the segment up embroidered North Dakota pillow – so capacity and for always broadening the the east side of the Killdeer Mountains she won’t forget us, and that she may thought. and potential negative impacts to the catch up on recent years’ sleep deprivation To the un-named employee of the Little Missouri River valley and Bear Den prompted by Bakken overload. Her gift, Department of Minerals who “blessed” Research Natural Area. “Why,” she said, paid for by donations, may be found here BCA’s testimony at Oil and Gas hearings “don’t we listen to folks with this kind if you want a peek: http://www.catstudio. “cuz our hearts cannot change” – an of knowledge in the first place?” Good com/shop/pillows/hand-embroidered/ unexpected kindness on a stormy question. hand-embroidered-states/north-dakota- afternoon. Thanks to Judy for her BCA strives that there will not be a day hand-embroidered-pillow.html continuing posts, and to Jim and Jim down the road when losses to natural • Perhaps the final time in the office of for their many contributions, both past habitat and western landscapes are so Superintendent Naylor, BCA joined and present. Thanks for the hugs from blatant and so pervasive they can no NDCWS members on October 1st unexpected, special places. And, to longer be ignored. If such a fate should be, in response to Naylor’s invitation to each and all of you for the warmth of fingers will point at the complicit. BCA bring the conservation perspective to community and place, which rises and should be proud we were in the arena. bear on visiting NPS Deputy Director finds a home in BCA. Even as we do • September 24th BCA was again in the Peggy O’Dell’s assessment of oil and gas battle for our homeland. field – this time with the Northern Great development impacts on TRNP and Plains Advisory Committee for the World surrounding public lands. We made our Wildlife Fund. Six prestigious, influential case well.

The Honorable Kevin Cramer North Dakota United States Congressman Government Contacts 1032 Longworth House Office Building Washington, DC 20515 The Honorable John Hoeven The Honorable Heidi Heitkamp 202-225-2611 United States Senator United States Senator - or - 120 Russell Senate Office Building SD-G55 Dirksen Senate Office Building 328 Federal Building Washington, DC 20510 Washington, DC 20510 220 East Rosser Avenue 202-224-2551 202-224-2043 Bismarck, ND 58501 - or - - or - 701-224-0355 312 Federal Building 228 Federal Building 220 E Rosser AVE 220 East Rosser Avenue The Honorable Jack Dalrymple Bismarck, ND 58501 Bismarck, ND 58501 Governor of North Dakota 701-250-4618 701-258-4648 600 East Boulevard Avenue Bismarck, ND 58505 All offices may be contacted by email forms on their respective websites. 701-328-2200 BCA Field Office/Jan Swenson 801 N. 10 St. Bismarck, ND 58501

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Badlands Autumn by Rich Brauhn

World Wildlife Fund’s Northern Great Plains Advisory Committee at the US Forest Service Burning Coal Vein Campground in the Little Missouri National Grassland by Connie Triplett