Block Drilling in North Dakota’s Pristine Badlands

Environment, Petitions — By Paul Preibisius on February 4, 2012 12:39 pm

Target: North Dakota Governor Jack Dalrymple,

Goal: To stop environmentally destructive oil drilling within the Badlands region of North Dakota.

There is a proposal by oil companies to drill for oil and natural gas underneath the Theodore Roosevelt National Park.  This is completely unacceptable and must not be allowed to continue.  This and other nearby areas in the North Dakota Badlands must be allowed to remain untainted by drilling.

While a step was made in the right direction by the state withholding 3,800 acres of state-owned land up for sale, it is far too little compared to the 73,000 acres still scheduled to be auctioned shortly for potential drilling.

This land must be protected.  The current North Dakota oil boom is threatening to wreck havoc upon the state’s natural beauty.  These distressed economic times unfortunately are all too often resulting in state officials siding with the business interests brought by oil drilling rather than the preservation of the state’s rugged natural beauty.

This locale is one of the principal tourist locations within North Dakota, a significant revenue source in and of itself.  The many animals that call the North Dakota Badlands home such as bison, pronghorn antelope, mule deer, and even endangered species such as several different kinds of eagle are a significant attraction to tourists.

The threat caused these animals by loss of habitat from oil drilling will drive them, and consequently tourists away.  Travelers from around the world want to see a pristine Theodore Roosevelt National Park, not one undermined by oil drilling.

Keep the North Dakota Badlands pristine and block oil drilling within the area.

PETITION LETTER:

Dear Governor Dalrymple,

The Little Missouri National Grasslands, also known as the North Dakota Badlands, are far too important to allow oil drilling to wreck their pristine wonder.  Drilling considerations throughout the state are on the rise in a significant fashion as no area with a hint of potential is allowed to remain untouched.

This must be halted before the area is irreparably damaged by drilling.  At present, locations that should be considered sacrosanct such as the Theodore Roosevelt National park are even being reviewed for possible exploratory oil and natural gas drilling.

This is unacceptable.  The important tourist industry of North Dakota relies on the pristine beauty of locations such as these as well as the wildlife contained within such as bison, pronghorn, and mule deer to attract visitors from around the globe.

These animals will be driven away from the area by both pollution and habitat loss should unchecked oil drilling be permitted.  This is not only an environmental tragedy, but will also result in a significant loss of tourist revenue as well, potentially costing the state far more in the long term then oil dollars can possibly bring in.

Of a possible 81,00 acres of state-owned land up for a potential auction, thus far only 3,800 were withheld.  Beyond that, it was stated that this 3,800 acres that were withheld because the Fish and Wildlife Department declared it important wildlife breeding ground may be leased away later in the year.

It is a short-sighted view trapped within the economic present that will potentially allow this land to be destroyed for the future by oil drilling.  The long-term ramifications are too great.  Protect the North Dakota Badlands and Theodore Roosevelt National Park, stop this rampant oil drilling before it is too late.

Sincerely,

[Your Name Will Go Here]