ND Lawmakers React to Oil Patch Needs - KXNet - Bismarck/Minot/Williston/Dickinson

ND Lawmakers React to Oil Patch Needs

The state's reserve is expected to exceed $2 Billion next year.

But how much of that will go back to oil country is the big task lawmakers will tackle next session.

They recently traveled to oil country to get an unfiltered view of the problems facing the oil patch.

Representative Dave Drovdal of Arnegard says, "there's nothing like on hand experience, where you can feel the traffic, smell the dust, oil see challenges that this economic boom has for us."

Traffic, crew camps, construction, they are exploding in what used to be a slow paced, rural and quiet part of North Dakota.

"Seeing how overwhelmed they are with everything. They are truly drinking from a fire hose right now with different issues," says Representative Mike Nathe of Bismarck.

Lawmakers who serve in the North Dakota House, in leadership positions, want to know the challenges, see the problems and hear solutions.

Representative Craig Headland of Montpelier says, "when look at all crew camps and mobile trailers, can see that housing is an issue. Of course roads are in bad shape."

"We knew roads were bad, have to deal with them. We knew the schools needed more space but didn't realize the housing of teachers was that big of a deal for them," says Representative Al Carlson.

Lawmakers take it all in… This is the homework - for a big project six months down the road.

Carlson says, "we can't give them everything they want, but we'll listen and take that to heart, back to legislature and see what we can do with the state's role in assisting them with problems they have."

"I would say it's going to be the most important session in ND because we've got the chance to make an impact in the west," says Cooperstown Representative Don Vigesaa.

The challenge come next session - will be deciding how much of the oil revenues should return to the land that's bearing the brunt of the activity.

"It's important to recognize that a lot of revenue is coming from the west, there's a lot of needs in the east too," says Vigesaa.

"There's going to be money spent out here. But finding the level that we can sustain and other cities will believe is proper. This isn't the only area in the state with problems," says Headland.

But local representative Dave Drovdal says, "this isn't just western ND, this is benefiting all of ND. There's a cost to doing that and we need some help with that."

The North Dakota legislature approved $1.2 Billion to go to the oil patch in 2011 through 2013.

More than half of that money still has to be distributed -- including $400 million for water and road construction projects this summer.

In addition, almost 4 million dollars in federal funds have been committed to low income housing in oil country.

A spokesperson from the Governors office says residents in the oil patch will see an incredible amount of work this construction season.