California-based Meridian Energy Group Inc. has bought 700 acres three miles south of North Dakota's only national park with the intent to build a refinery.
Having a refinery near our state's No. 1 tourist attraction and a nationally protected area invites more industrial projects and related businesses to come in.
The corridor of Interstate 94 from Dickinson to Belfield, N.D., now is lined with oil wells and scattered flares. As time goes on, oil development gets closer and closer to our sacred Badlands.
I am not against a refinery. I am opposed to its proposed location. A refinery sited three miles from a national park when the legal minimum distance is two miles is inappropriate.
Those of us who live in the area already have seen the disruption of our quiet rural landscape by increasing light pollution, constant noise of trucks and trains and untamed dust. We can expect more of this if a refinery comes to the area.
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We need to preserve and protect the Badlands and the health and resources of people and wildlife that live nearby.
The refinery isn't a done deal. There still is the permitting process, which will give the public the chance to comment. The State Water Commission is one permitting agency; the Health Department is another.
We need these agencies to be thinking long-term when it comes to such permits. Meridian already has increased their expected water-use from 100 gallons per minute to 400 gallons per minute. How do we know they won't do it again?
How will North Dakota hold Meridian accountable to protect the state 's aquifers, air quality and landscape?
We need our state agencies to vigorously represent the public's best interests and safety.
Ruth Molm
Belfield, N.D.
