Forest Service taking comments on well-plugging project

Dickinson, N.D. (AP) The Forest Service is taking public comments on a project to plug about 25 abandoned water wells in Slope, Golden Valley and Billings counties.

Kevin Sullivan is the project leader. He says some of the wells date back to homestead days. He says they're plugged to protect the aquifer from contamination.

Sullivan said that since the program started in 1997, about 200 wells have been plugged on the grasslands.

The process includes filling the well with chips that form into a hard clay, preventing anything from getting into the aquifer.

Sullivan says the Forest Service also hires workers to clean up old homestead sites.

Information from: The Dickinson Press, http://www.thedickinsonpress.com (Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.) APNP 11-23-08 1316CST | save this article / add to your favorites list