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Potential effects of energy development on environmental resources of the Williston Basin in Montana, North Dakota, and South Dakota

September 13, 2022

About this volume

The 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 needs identified by the Bakken Federal Executive Group (consisting of representatives from 13 Federal agencies and Tribal groups), began work to synthesize existing information on science topics to support management decisions related to energy development. This report is divided into four chapters (A–D). Chapter A provides an executive summary of the report and principal findings from chapters B–D. Chapter B provides a brief compilation of information regarding the history of energy development, physiography, climate, land use, demographics, and related studies in the Williston Basin. Chapter C synthesizes current information about water resources, identifies potential effects from energy development, and summarizes water resources research and information needs in the Williston Basin. Chapter D summarizes information about ecosystems, species of conservation concern, and potential effects to those species from energy development in the Williston Basin.

Publication Year 2022
Title Potential effects of energy development on environmental resources of the Williston Basin in Montana, North Dakota, and South Dakota
DOI 10.3133/sir20175070
Publication Type Report
Publication Subtype USGS Numbered Series
Series Title Scientific Investigations Report
Series Number 2017-5070
Index ID sir20175070
Record Source USGS Publications Warehouse
USGS Organization Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center; Wyoming-Montana Water Science Center; Dakota Water Science Center