Concerns about whether Ward County’s regulations on gravel pits are strong enough could spur some ordinance changes.

The Ward County Commission on Tuesday, May 5, heard from Douglas-area resident Brent Johnson, who voiced concerns about pit expansions and the spread of weeds in calling for greater enforcement of rules for gravel mining operations.

The county established pit regulations when it updated its zoning ordinance in 2025.

“We’re trying to identify all these pits that have never been permitted,” Commission Chairman John Fjeldahl said. “We’ve identified the problem. It’s going to take a while to get it all in place, and on top of that, police it better. But we are working on it.”

Planning and Zoning Administrator Beth Pietsch said the planning commission intends to schedule discussion on the ordinance provisions related to gravel pits to consider proposed changes.

Johnson raised his concern about a neighboring gravel operation excavating a new pit without a permit, but it was pointed out no new permit is needed if the property has the same legal description as an existing pit and is under the same landowner agreement.

Johnson also spoke about the proliferation of absinth wormwood, blaming the nearby gravel pit for his problem with the noxious weed.

“Allowing expansion of a permit that already has a problem with weeds, I don’t think that should even be considered,” he said.

Johnson compared Ward County’s ordinance with a stronger ordinance in Mountrail County, which he said requires annual permits, annual inspections and annual reclamation. Ward County gravel pit permits are for five years.

“Mountrail County has much tighter restrictions with regards to gravel pits, and that might be why we’re seeing more of them on the Ward County side, because it’s opportunistic,” Commissioner Miranda Schuler said. “It takes some time, but we do need to get a handle on this. The gravel operators need to be responsible for the land, and they need to be responsible as well if they are opening up the land and potentially exposing adjacent properties to noxious weeds. They need to be held accountable for that.”

Fjeldahl said absinth wormwood is proliferating in the area regardless of pit mining.

“It’s harder to take care of today than ever,” he said.

Ward County Weed Officer Derrill Fick said a weed control agreement is in place for the property referenced, and the gravel company plans to begin spraying at the end of May. He said he will be inspecting to ensure the spraying is accomplished. He agreed to report back to the commission to confirm action has been taken.

Schuler asked about adding a reclamation requirement for gravel pits not in use.

“You do see a lot of these pits just kind of left. If you drive around, specifically on that southwest part of the county, there’s a lot of pits that have never been reclaimed,” she said.

Fjeldahl responded reclamation could be a tricky subject because some landlords request keeping pits open for their use or for future mining operators.

“We want to protect people’s personal property rights as well,” he said.

“Then the landowner should also be responsible for the weed problem,” Schuler said. “That’s where we have to provide some kind of a balance.”

Pietsch said the county has reclamation requirements, but there may be a need to revise the land use ordinance to better clarify the county’s intent for gravel pits.