Eds: ADDS comment from Tracy Potter. APNewsNow.

Bismarck, N.D. (AP) Some landowners in a five-county area along the Missouri River in North Dakota say they don't like their property being considered as a national heritage area.

President Barack Obama signed the designation into law last March. The region includes Burleigh and Morton counties, and McLean, Mercer and Oliver counties in west-central North Dakota.

It's called the Northern Plains Heritage Area.

North Dakota U.S. Sen. Byron Dorgan sponsored the formation of the heritage area, and Bismarck state Sen. Tracy Potter has been the project's chief local supporter.

Critics of the idea say it could open up more federal regulation of their land. But Potter says the legislation is written to prevent that from happening.

Potter says the area was formed to attempt to preserve cultural resources and get more federal support for tourism promotion. Up to $10 million could be available over 15 years. Information from: Bismarck Tribune, http://www.bismarcktribune.com (Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.) APNP 07-13-09 0016CDT | save this article / add to your favorites list