Fighting to keep the oil boom out of North Dakota park

[Valin]

MPLS (Red) Star Tribune

Her mission: To protect Theodore Roosevelt National Park

PAM LOUWAGIE

August 17, 2014

 

 

From the vista where Valerie Naylor stands, the scenery is undeniably spectacular: Sculpted hills with layers of beige sandstone and ribbons of gray coal, pockets of cottonwood trees and junipers rustling, the serpentine Little Missouri River shimmering below.

 

Most visitors who come to the Oxbow Overlook feel its serenity. But Naylor, the parks superintendent, worries. So much of what youre looking at is outside the park, and its so vulnerable, she said.

 

How will she protect it all?

 

As North Dakotas historic Bakken oil boom mushrooms around this little-known national park, Naylor, 56, is on a mission to keep its natural sounds, fresh air and breathtaking views free from the effects of runaway industrial development.

 

With a drilling frenzy now hitting a production milestone of 1 million barrels of oil a day, that work is getting more urgent. Naylors fight to protect the park reflects a larger drama still unfolding across this vast region as it struggles to balance the mind-boggling jackpot of the oil boom with its accompanying trade-offs. Almost every week it seems theres a new proposal near the 70,000-acre park, Naylor said. One week its a cell tower. Another its a saltwater disposal well. If you dont keep your eye on everything, you could easily miss something that could have a massive impact on the park, she said. She estimates that she and her staff have tried to get changes on more than 20 development plans since the boom began, often through polite but firm letters, testimony and follow-up conversations.

 

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