January 15, 2019
An administrative law judge in North Dakota is recommending that state officials issue a water permit for an oil refinery being developed near Theodore Roosevelt National Park that's being opposed by environmentalists and some area landowners.Three landowners last summer challenged a proposed State Water Commission permit allowing the Davis Refinery to draw water from an underwater aquifer. Their concerns included how they might be affected and how much of the water would be wasted.They also argued that the amount of water specified in the proposed permit was not the same as what Meridian Energy Group had initially requested, a change landowner attorney JJ England maintained was illegal.Administrative Law Judge Tim Dawson held a hearing in November that focused on whether Meridian would use all of the allowable water for a "beneficial" use. England asserted Meridian's plans for treating and using the water are vague and at times conflicting, while state water officials testified that the company had submitted sufficient information justifying a conditional permit that would be fine-tuned after refinery operations begin and its precise water needs are determined.Dawson in a ruling dated Tuesday recommended State Engineer Garland Erbele issue the proposed permit, saying "a refinery requires water" and that "there is no realistic harm to the public interest."
