Photo by Jack Pieper
From the beginning, the North Dakota chapter of BHA has been a steadfast advocate of keeping the little-known, but wild and awe-inspiring roadless areas within the state's national grasslands wild and untrammeled by development. Recently, the chapter undertook a herculean grassroots-driven effort to speak up against a development proposal that would allow for a substantial increase in industrial development within some of the state’s last remaining “lonely lands.” Throughout the planning process, the North Dakota BHA team raised concerns about impacts that the proposed development within North Dakota’s Badlands would have on intact fish and wildlife habitat and the wild character of the region. With many of these concerns unfortunately left unaddressed by the U.S. Forest Service, the chapter filed an objection to draft decision and is working to explore other options to put meaningful limits on development in the area.