Bakken oil industry and the local economy
Scott Hennen
Special to The Farmer
Western North Dakota has long been synonymous with the Bakken oil industry’s boom and its consequential impact on the local economy and communities. As the quest for oil continues, debates surrounding property rights and oil development have gained momentum. In a recent meeting of the McKenzie County Commission, local landowners gathered to voice concerns about their interactions with certain oil companies. The topic of the meeting was covered by The Farmer in an article titled “Landowners voice frustration about claims of eminent domain,” dated August 23, 2023. As quoted in the article, several speakers provided testimony of oilfield impact on their property and posed suggestions to the Commissioners as to what actions should be taken to remedy the ongoing issues. While the tone of frustration cannot be ignored, it has come to the Farmer’s attention that some of the statements quoted in the article were presented as true but were in fact false.