Trenton Lake oil patch plan gets criticism

TRENTON, N.D. (AP) — A northwestern North Dakota man’s plans to take water from an area lake for use in the oil patch is worrying a state wildlife official.

Steve Mortenson, owner of Mortenson Farms, has submitted applications to the Army Corps of Engineers and the North Dakota Water Commission’s chief engineer for a permanent water depot at Trenton Lake. Water would be used by Texas-based Western International Gas, which is paying half of the $150,000 project cost, and possibly by others.

“I’m just trying to supplement my farm income a bit,” Mortenson said. “My intent is to work with and follow the guidelines of the various ... organizations.”

Corps approval is required because the pipeline for the project would cross agency land. The state engineer also must approve because the Water Commission manages the water.

Fred Ryckman, Northwest District fisheries supervisor for the North Dakota Game and Fish Department, worries about the effect on the shallow lake, and fish and wildlife. If the applications are approved, Mortenson could take about one-third of the water from the lake, which typically is less than 10 feet deep, Ryckman said.

“If Trenton Lake were 40 feet deep and it took a couple feet off of it, it wouldn’t be such a big deal,” he said. “Trenton Lake just doesn’t have the depth and capacity ... I just think the oil industry can find water elsewhere.”

Mortenson said he hopes to have the necessary permits by the middle of the year.

“Again, it’s my intention to work with the agencies and to follow what they allow and to go from there,” he said. “I have no intention of draining the lake. I use water from the lake for irrigation. What sense would that make?”

A corps public comment period ended Feb. 17. Comments are being taken by the state engineer’s office until March 29.

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