A bill introduced in North Dakota to study the impacts of oil spills on the Fort Berthold Reservation is facing funding challenges. The bill, HB 1611, was initially planned to be funded by a National Science Foundation grant, but changes in federal policy have now made state funding necessary. The study aims to assess the environmental and public health risks of spills on state highways within the reservation, which is home to an oil-rich tribal nation in northwest North Dakota. The bill has garnered support from environmental and Native American advocacy groups, as well as faculty from a college on the reservation, but has faced opposition from the oil industry. Data from the Department of Environmental Quality shows that the reservation had the third-highest number of spills in the state last year, highlighting the need for further research and remediation efforts. The bill’s main sponsor is optimistic about the study’s potential to benefit future generations.
Note: The image is for illustrative purposes only and is not the original image associated with the presented article. Due to copyright reasons, we are unable to use the original images. However, you can still enjoy the accurate and up-to-date content and information provided.
