Central ND News

BISMARCK – U.S. Senators Kevin Cramer (R-ND) and John Hoeven (R-ND) and U.S. Representative Kelly Armstrong (R-ND) have raised concerns about the draft Resource Management Plan (RMP) for North Dakota in a letter addressed to the Bureau of Land Management (BLM).

The delegation emphasized the need for revisions to the draft RMP to ensure continued access to energy reserves and support economic activity in the state. The plan, as currently proposed by the BLM, could potentially limit access to coal and oil reserves under federal ownership, impacting state revenues and energy development.

In their letter to the BLM, the North Dakota delegation highlighted the disparity between surface and subsurface acreage managed by the BLM in the state. They pointed out that federal subsurface acres in North Dakota are scattered and intertwined with state and privately-owned minerals, making it crucial to avoid restrictions that could hinder resource development beyond federal control.

The delegation expressed concerns that the implementation of the new RMP could restrict the production of minerals across federal, state, and private lands, leading to a denial of access to essential energy reserves and the associated economic benefits for North Dakota and the nation.

According to economic data provided by the state, the implementation of the draft RMP could result in North Dakota losing an estimated $34 million annually in royalties and tax revenue from oil and gas alone, excluding potential impacts on coal production and royalties to private mineral owners.

The North Dakota delegation's letter underscores the importance of addressing these issues in the draft RMP to support the state's energy sector and overall economic well-being.