Federal resource managers in the Williston Basin need to understand how the recent expansion of oil and gas development is affecting a range of natural resources. The Bakken Federal Executive Group (BFEG), a group of representatives from over a dozen federal and tribal agencies, called for a report that synthesizes existing information about the potential impacts from energy development. The BFEG recently partnered with the USGS to develop the report. The USGS used a two phase approach to developing the report: 1) a decision-focused scoping process to narrow down informational topics; 2) assembling writing teams to assemble existing information. The final report consists of syntheses of the landscape and socio-economic context of the energy boom, potential impacts of development on surface and ground water, and potential impacts to wildlife and habitats. The information provided in this report is intended to assist with timely permitting decisions, while providing information to assist in documenting potential impacts.
Below are publications associated with this project.
Potential effects of energy development on environmental resources of the Williston Basin in Montana, North Dakota, and South Dakota
Potential effects of energy development on environmental resources of the Williston Basin in Montana, North Dakota, and South Dakota—Species of conservation concern
- Overview
Federal resource managers in the Williston Basin need to understand how the recent expansion of oil and gas development is affecting a range of natural resources. The Bakken Federal Executive Group (BFEG), a group of representatives from over a dozen federal and tribal agencies, called for a report that synthesizes existing information about the potential impacts from energy development. The BFEG recently partnered with the USGS to develop the report. The USGS used a two phase approach to developing the report: 1) a decision-focused scoping process to narrow down informational topics; 2) assembling writing teams to assemble existing information. The final report consists of syntheses of the landscape and socio-economic context of the energy boom, potential impacts of development on surface and ground water, and potential impacts to wildlife and habitats. The information provided in this report is intended to assist with timely permitting decisions, while providing information to assist in documenting potential impacts.
- Publications
Below are publications associated with this project.
Potential effects of energy development on environmental resources of the Williston Basin in Montana, North Dakota, and South Dakota
About this volumeThe Williston Basin, which includes parts of Montana, North Dakota, and South Dakota in the United States, has been a leading domestic oil and gas producing area. To better understand the potential effects of energy development on environmental resources in the Williston Basin, the U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the Bureau of Land Management, and in support of the neePotential effects of energy development on environmental resources of the Williston Basin in Montana, North Dakota, and South Dakota—Species of conservation concern
The ecosystems of the Williston Basin provide direct and indirect benefits to society. These benefits include carbon sequestration, flood control, nutrient rich soils for agricultural productivity, and habitat for wildlife. This chapter’s main focus is on the effects of energy development on species that occupy the ecosystems in the Williston Basin. We compiled a list of documented species of cons