If you’re a landowner or tenant experiencing pipeline or wind energy restoration or reclamation issues, or a royalty owner with royalty payment issues, we can help. The North Dakota Department of Agriculture has several oversight programs that can help resolve issues in a satisfactory and timely manner. I’ll go into more detail for each program below.

The pipeline restoration and reclamation oversight program connects landowners and tenants experiencing pipeline reclamation and restoration issues with an independent ombudsman who will work with you and the pipeline company to resolve issues. The ombudsman will conduct an on-site examination to assess the situation, prepare a written report and contact the pipeline company, detailing the findings and working with all parties to bring resolution.

The program also provides educational outreach to help landowners and tenants consider such things as pipeline pathways, type of pipeline installation, soil impacts, type of vegetation being reestablished, timelines and other issues before signing agreements.

Two areas that are not covered by the program include any pipelines installed before Jan. 1, 2006, and any pipeline regulated by the Public Service Commission under North Dakota Century Code Title 49.

The wind energy restoration and reclamation oversight program, in cooperation with the Public Service Commission, also connects landowners and tenants with an independent ombudsman to help resolve issues. The ombudsman will conduct an examination, prepare a report, contact the wind energy company and work with all parties to resolve issues.

This program also provides technical assistance, support and outreach to landowners and tenants.

Returning your land to its original condition after pipeline construction or wind energy development is very important. The pipeline and wind energy reclamation and restoration oversight programs can help. Ombudsman cannot provide legal counsel or assistance in negotiating easements, or interfere with or supersede any agreements between owners and companies.

The royalty oversight program connects royalty owners and well operators with an independent ombudsman to provide assistance with royalty payment issues. Issues may include no payment within 150 days, being unable to contact the well operator, or confusion or disagreement with the royalty payment amount. The ombudsman will contact the mineral owner and the well operator, detailing the findings and working with all parties to clarify the discrepancy or communication breakdown in a timely manner.

The program also provides educational outreach to help royalty owners who have been or may be impacted by royalty issues.

If you are not getting an adequate response for reclamation and restoration problems, or royalty payment issues, contact us.