Oil boom hampering roads plan in N.D.

BISMARCK (AP) — The oil boom in western North Dakota has hampered efforts to detail which roads in the Little Missouri National Grassland are legally open to the public.

The travel management plan began in 2005 and was to be done by the beginning of this year. Dakota Prairie Grasslands Recreation Manager Paula Johnston told The Dickinson Press that the plan that is part of a nationwide mapping project has to be completed but she isn’t sure when that will happen.

Medora district ranger Ron Jablonski said that as the energy industry in the region continues to grow, officials are waiting to map out accessible roads because they are unsure how many more roads will be designated for oil workers.

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