Public News Service

North Dakota's Pembina Gorge Recreation Area will soon become the state's 14th state park, with a 55-site campground and six all-season full-service cabins. (Photo courtesy of North Dakota Parks and Recreation Department)

New ND state park adds weight to Great Outdoors Month messaging

As temperatures warm up, people are enjoying nature - and North Dakota officials hope to see many more do so in the future as a new state park comes …

The Environmental Defense Fund said methane emissions from oil and gas wells, including abandoned sites which were never capped, remain a significant driver of short-term climate change. (Adobe Stock)

North Dakota gets more federal funds to cap abandoned oil wells

A new round of federal funding is coming North Dakota's way to help plug dozens of abandoned oil wells. The U.S. Department of the Interior this …

While they remain listed as endangered, federal officials say the whooping crane's recovery from the brink of extinction is one of the most notable success stories under the Endangered Species Act. (Adobe Stock)

Endangered Species Act gets another makeover, drawing partial praise

The Biden administration is moving forward with plans it says will strengthen the Endangered Species Act, after it saw a major overhaul under former …

One of North Dakota's more popular hunting seasons, the firearm deer season, runs for roughly two weeks each November. (Adobe Stock)

Tips for protecting natural resources while hunting this fall

North Dakota's firearm deer-hunting season kicks off Nov. 10, and pheasant hunting is already underway. Conservation voices have some guidance on how …

Summit Carbon Solutions is seeking land agreements and permit approval in several Midwestern states, including North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, Nebraska and Iowa, for a proposed pipeline that would collect carbon emissions from ethanol plants and store them underground. (Adobe Stock)

After ND Permit Rejection, Carbon Pipeline Opponents Won't Rest

Groups tracking energy policy in the Midwest are sizing up the impact of North Dakota's decision to decline a permit for a controversial pipeline proj…

Chronic wasting disease has been found in deer, elk and moose in at least 26 states, including North Dakota. (Adobe Stock)

Conservation Groups Hope Congress Comes Through with CWD Relief

The spread of chronic wasting disease in deer and elk is a concern in North Dakota. Conservation groups hope bills making their way through Congress …

President Joe Biden has set a goal of eliminating pollution from fossil fuels in the power sector by 2035, and from the U.S. economy overall by 2050. (Adobe Stock)

ND Group: Biden Moratorium on Oil Leases "Good Step"

BISMARCK, N.D. -- President Joe Biden has placed a freeze on new oil and gas leases on public lands and waters. A North Dakota conservation group …

Congress approved the federal CARES Act last spring to provide relief amid the evolving pandemic. But over time, some of the spending has come into question, including how some states have distributed the money. (Adobe Stock)

ND Watchdogs Raise Concerns About COVID Spending for Fracking

BISMARCK, N.D. -- COVID-19 relief spending by North Dakota officials is drawing scrutiny. A pair of watchdogs question why the state is using CARES …

North Dakota regulators have given the green light for a new pumping station for the Dakota Access oil pipeline. (Tony Webster/Flickr)

ND Regulators OK Dakota Access Pipeline Expansion

BISMARCK, N.D. -- In a unanimous decision, the state Public Service Commission has approved a key step in increasing capacity of the Dakota Access …

Meridian Energy has proposed an oil refinery within three miles of Theodore Roosevelt National Park. (Amy Meredith/Flickr)

ND Supreme Court to Decide Fate of Refinery Near National Park

BISMARCK, N.D. – The struggle over an oil refinery near Theodore Roosevelt National Park is in the hands of the North Dakota Supreme Court…

North Dakota is the number two crude oil producer in the nation, which new analysis says contributed to the loss of 2.4 million acres of natural landscapes in the state from 2011 to 2017. (porchlife/Flickr)

ND Ranks First Among Lower 48 States for Loss of Natural Landscapes

BISMARCK, N.D. – The U.S. is losing its wild landscape to energy, transportation, agriculture and urbanization at a rate of two football …

An oil refinery has been proposed near Theodore Roosevelt National Park. (jb10okie/Flickr)

Will ND Gov. Burgum Join Roosevelt's Legacy of Protecting Nature?

BISMARCK, N.D. - What will Gov. Doug Burgum's legacy be on protecting North Dakota's landscape? The Dakota Resource Council believes he could enter …

The protest against the Dakota Access Pipeline at Standing Rock is believed to be the largest Native American protest in U.S. history.(commondreams.org)

Legal Experts Arrive in Dakotas to Aid Those Arrested in Pipeline Protest

BISMARCK, N.D. – Legal professionals will be in western South Dakota and south central North Dakota this weekend, trying to locate and help …

In 2017, visitors spent more than $18 billion in communities near national parks. (Amy Meredith/Flickr)

ND Gateway Communities Could Benefit from National Parks Restoration

BISMARCK, N.D. – A bill to address the crumbling infrastructure in America’s national parks is scheduled for a congressional hearing this …

More than a million gallons of saltwater from an oil operation spilled on the Fort Berthold Indian Reservation in 2014. (Denis Fischer/Bureau of Reclamation)

Documentary Features Effects of ND Pipelines

BISMARCK, N.D. – A documentary premiering at the Black Hills Film Festival this week will feature the lives of North Dakotans disrupted by oil …

A proposed oil refinery would be located within three miles of Theodore Roosevelt National Park. (Matt Zimmerman/Flickr)

Refinery Near National Park Poses Many Hazards, Groups Say

BELFIELD, N.D. – Opposition from local communities is growing against a proposed oil refinery near Theodore Roosevelt National Park. The …

A new environmental review of the Dakota Access Pipeline is under way. (Tony Webster/Flickr)

Fed. Court Orders Greater Oversight of Dakota Access Pipeline

BISMARCK, N.D. – In a significant win for the Standing Rock and Cheyenne River Sioux tribes, a federal judge on Monday ordered greater …

One third of all the food we eat is the direct result of pollinators such as the monarch butterfly, according to a Cornell study. (C Watts/Flickr)

Conservation Groups Want North Dakotans to Help Iconic Butterfly

AUBURN, N.D. – If you've ever watched the process of a caterpillar becoming a vividly colorful monarch butterfly, you probably have an …

Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke's decision to delay a methane waste rule was deemed illegal for the agency's failure to properly notify the public. (Mark Wilson/Getty Images)

BLM Seeks to Delay Methane Waste Rule, But Judge Says That's Illegal

BISMARCK, N.D. – The Interior Department and courts appear to be at odds over a rule that prevents the waste of methane and gas on drilling …

North Dakota's two U.S. senators disagreed on the fate of a BLM rule that prevents methane-gas venting and flaring at oil developments on public and tribal land. (Tim Evanson/Flickr)

ND Tribes Say Keeping Methane-Waste Rule a Win; ND Senators Split

BISMARCK, N.D. -- North Dakota tribes say the U.S. Senate's decision not to overturn a rule requiring energy developers to limit methane gas leaks …

Oil and gas companies lose about $330 million a year to methane venting, flaring and leaking on public lands. (Tim Evanson/Flickr)

ND Tribes Want Congress to Keep Methane Waste Prevention Rule

BISMARCK, N.D. – Congress could decide as soon as this week the fate of the Methane and Waste Prevention Rule, and North Dakotans who see the …

Dow Chemical executives asked the Trump administration to scrap studies that said their agricultural products were harmful to endangered species, leaked documents show. (StoykoSabotanov/iStockphoto)

Dow Chemical Asks Feds to Drop Studies, Leaked Letters Show

BISMARCK, N.D. – A conservation group is raising questions about Dow Chemical's attempts to convince the Trump administration to drop studies …

New federal rules could lead to cuts in waste gas flaring from North Dakota oil fields, but the state and some oil and gas producers have opposed them. (WildEarth Guardians/Flickr)

New Rules on Gas Flaring: Health Benefits, Energy Savings – and Controversy

BISMARCK, N.D. -- The Bureau of Land Management issued some new rules that are irking the oil and gas industry, but the agency says they were …

Native Americans have been protesting the Dakota Access Pipeline since April. (Red Warrior Camp)

Dakota Access Pipeline Court Decision Expected Today

BISMARCK, N.D. – The controversial Dakota Access Pipeline project could be permanently shut down today, pending a federal judge's decision…

A group of Native American youth are running 2,000 miles to protest construction of the Dakota Access Pipeline. (iStockphoto)

Native Youths Run to Protest Dakota Access Pipeline

BISMARCK, N.D. - A 2,000-mile journey to fight for clean water and land is making its way through Maryland. Native American youths are running from …

In 2014, about 200 industrial-sized garbage bags full of oil production waste were found in an abandoned gas station in Noonan, ND. (Dakota Resource Council)

ND Judge Says New Toxic Rules Meeting Can Go Forward

BISMARCK, N.D. – After North Dakota's Health Council approved new toxic waste rules during what turned out to be an illegal public meeting last …

Hispanic community members are being encouraged to show their passion for protected areas, including the Theodore Roosevelt National Park, as part of Latino Conservation Week. (Hispanic Access Foundation)

Latino Conservation Week: Highlighting ND's Protected Lands

BISMARCK, N.D. -- This week marks the third annual Latino Conservation Week, and organizers are shining a spotlight on the Latino community's concern …

Supporters of new oil and gas pipeline regulations say if they're adopted North Dakota could become a safer state for industry workers and for farmland owners. (iStockphoto)

ND Could Be Getting Stronger Pipeline Protections

BISMARCK, N.D. -- North Dakota energy officials today are poised to make some serious changes to how the state regulates its growing network of oil…

$A hydraulic fracking well extracts resources at a North Dakota oil field. (iStockphoto)$

BLM Fracking Rule Struck Down by Federal Judge

BISMARCK, N.D. – In a blow to the Obama administration's environmental agenda, a federal judge has struck down the Bureau of Land Management's …

Native American tribal members are protesting the Dakota Access oil pipeline by taking a 20-mile ceremonial horse ride to a reservation site they argue could be damaged by oil spills. (iStockphoto)

ND Tribal Members Riding to Protest Oil Pipeline

BISMARCK, N.D. - Several tribal groups today are kicking off a protest over the nearly $4 billion Dakota Access oil pipeline project. Tribal members …

Some North Dakota tribal leaders are backing plans to clarify when oil companies owe royalties on flared gas. (iStockphoto)

ND Tribal Leaders Backing BLM's Flaring Rules

BISMARCK, N.D. - As federal regulators consider new rules to curb gas flaring at oil wells on public and tribal lands, North Dakotans are being asked …

The endangered pallid sturgeon is being blocked from reaching its natural breeding grounds on the Yellowstone River. (Byrd Vernon/U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service)

Fate of Ancient ND Fish in Government Hands

BISMARCK, N. D. – Conservationists say the fate of an ancient fish species is now in the hands of the U.S. government. The U.S. Army Corps of …

Scientists say they found a new Lyme-disease causing bacteria in several Midwestern states, including North Dakota. (iStockphoto)

Scientists Find New Cause of Lyme Disease in North Dakota

BISMARCK, N.D. - Nature lovers beware. Scientists believe they have found a new species of bacteria that can cause Lyme disease. According to the …

New federal rules could severely limit methane flaring at North Dakota's tribal and public gas wells. (iStockphoto)

New Rules Seek to Limit Flaring on Tribal, Federal Lands

BISMARCK, N.D. – The U.S. soon could see tighter restrictions on oil and gas flaring, and, if approved, that could have some long-term effects …

$Investors are saying they want more public disclosure from energy developers that use fracking, according to an industry scorecard that ranks them. (iStockphoto)$

Investors Want More Public Disclosure from Fracking Companies

BISMARK, N.D. - A lot of companies fracking for gas do a poor job of informing the public, according to investor groups. While a just-released …

Native Americans are hopeful their voices were heard during the Paris climate talks this month. (iStockphoto)

Good News for Native Americans in Climate Treaty

BISMARCK, N.D. - Representatives of Native American tribes from several U.S. regions were in Paris this month as part of an international delegation …

As the COP 21 climate talks wind down in Paris, rural organizations, leaders and experts are laying out their environmental concerns. (Kevin_P/Morgufile.com)

Rural Groups Push Their Climate-Change Priorities

BISMARCK, N.D. – The Paris climate talks will come to an end Friday, and as world leaders continue to discuss how to limit greenhouse gas …

Millions in federal dollars for North Dakota's public lands hang in the balance as Congress continues to debate the Land and Water Conservation Fund.

Feds Continue to Debate Money for North Dakota's Protected Lands

BISMARCK, N.D. – Some of North Dakota's best public spots for hunting, fishing and hiking, including the Dakota Prairie Grasslands, could be at …

North Dakota's pallid sturgeon population is severely dwindling, according to a new report. Credit: Endangered Species Coalition

Dinosaur-era Fish Tops List of Threatened ND Species

BISMARCK, N.D. - A dinosaur-era fish that lives in some North Dakota rivers is being listed as one of the top 10 "most isolated" species in the …

The U.S. Forest Service is being sued for approving a large gravel mine adjacent to Theodore Roosevelt National Park's Elkhorn Ranch. Credit: Eric Foltz.

Gravel Pit Near Roosevelt National Park Draws Lawsuit

BISMARCK, N.D. – The U.S. Forest Service faces a federal lawsuit for its approval of a large, new gravel pit on the outskirts of Theodore …

U.S. taxpayers have lost an estimated $380 million since 2006 because of flaring and venting of natural gas at drilling sites on federal lands. Credit: sakakawea7.

ND Tax Dollars Up in Flames? Feds Look to Limit Gas Flaring

BISMARCK, N.D. - North Dakota's U.S. senators are being urged to support efforts to have the federal government take action to end the waste of …

Visitors to Theodore Roosevelt National Park are expected to spot the western meadowlark this weekend during the park's 61st Annual Spring Birdwalk. Credit: Kevin Cole/Flickr.

Searching for State Bird at Theodore Roosevelt Nat'l. Park

BISMARCK, N.D. – The western meadowlark is not as common a sight as it once was in North Dakota, but some visitors to Theodore Roosevelt …

PHOTO: With a deadly fungal disease called white-nose syndrome decimating its numbers, the northern long-eared bat today officially becomes listed as a threatened species in North Dakota and across the country. Photo credit: University of Illinois/Steve Taylor/Flickr.

ND's Northern Long-Eared Bats Now on Threatened List

BISMARCK, N.D. – New protections are now in place for the northern long-earned bat, which officially becomes listed as a threatened species in …

PHOTO: It has become the world's largest civic observance, and thousands of people in North Dakota are making plans to take part in the 45th annual Earth Day with events to be held on and around April 22. Photo credit: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers/Flickr.

Preparations Under Way in ND for 45th Annual Earth Day

BISMARCK, N.D. - With the spring-like weather that's now being enjoyed across North Dakota, residents are busy making plans and getting ready for …

PHOTO: The 64th Legislative Assembly begins Tuesday in Bismarck, and oil and gas issues within the energy industry will be among those high on the docket. Photo credit: Lindsey G/Flickr.

Energy Industry Needs on the Agenda as 2015 Session Begins

BISMARCK, N.D. - The gavel comes down to open the 2015 North Dakota Legislature Tuesday, and among the issues lawmakers will be asked to address this …

PHOTO: Theodore Roosevelt National Park maintains a small group of longhorn steers in the North Unit as a historic demonstration herd. Park fees are likely to be going up in 2015. Photo courtesy of Theodore Roosevelt National Park.

Decision Coming on Fee Hike at Theodore Roosevelt National Park

BISMARCK, N.D. - A decision on whether entrance and camping fees will be going up at North Dakota's Theodore Roosevelt National Park is expected to …

PHOTO: A new report finds the amount of gas drilled on federal leases in North Dakota that's royalty-free, consumed or flared by operators, is equal to more than 40 percent of the total volume sold. Photo credit: Merlin/Flickr.

Millions of North Dakota Tax Dollars Used Up & Burned Off

BISMARCK, N.D. - The state's natural gas and oil boom is bringing in the dollars, but a new report says North Dakota and the nation are missing out …

PHOTO: A new survey finds a majority of North Dakota voters want policies to limit the venting or flaring of natural gas to reduce the amount of energy wasted on public lands. Photo credit: Roy Luck/Flickr.

North Dakotans Venting on Natural Gas Flaring

BISMARCK, N.D. - The state's ongoing oil and gas boom is producing jobs and economic growth, but it's also sending a steady stream of natural gas …

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PNS Daily Newscast - September 20, 2024

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ND: Public Lands/Wilderness