Groups want dairy decision reconsidered
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Grassroots organizers in North Dakota are asking state regulators to reconsider their decision to dismiss a petition that challenges a water sale to mega operator Riverview Dairy.
Members of the group Abercrombie Citizens for Responsible Growth and the Dakota Resource Council contended the state should allow them to formally present concerns about a water sale for Riverview's 12,000-plus cow operation in Abercrombie. The proposal would supply roughly 500,000 gallons of water a day from the Wahpeton Buried Valley Aquifer.
Cindy Zick, a resident of Abercrombie and a member of the group, argued the aquifer crosses city and property boundaries, which means residents outside Wahpeton could still be affected.
“The state is telling us that because we live outside Wahpeton city limits, we do not have a voice. They are also claiming that we don’t have a right to defend our own water supply until our wells go dry,” Zick said. “Water is a life-sustaining right, not a city commodity to be sold to the highest bidder.”
The ruling from the Office of Administrative Hearings said the petitioners are not directly affected and therefore do not have grounds to challenge the water sale. The groups are formally petitioning the state to reconsider its decision and hear their concerns before moving forward with the agreement.
Stephanie Miranowski, a Wilkin County farmer and also a member of the group, speaking at a recent news conference, noted the Minnesota-based mega dairy has already depleted aquifers in other states, prompting a water crisis for residents. Earlier this year, the state of Arizona reached a legal agreement with Riverview to reduce its groundwater usage and compensate affected well owners.
“I know everybody says, ‘Oh, Arizona has problems with water,’ but guess what? So do we. We are in a drought right now, and we all need to be paying attention,” Marinowski said.
Marinowski pointed to research from monitoring wells showing the Wahpeton aquifer is already declining, arguing additional pumping could threaten farms and communities across the region.
“I’m very distressed that we were not able to present our information and that’s why we are here today requesting that we get another chance to at least express our concerns. We might be small but we have been here first and I don’t feel that large industry has a right to push all of us out,” Marinowski said.
The North Dakota Department of Water Resources declined to comment because the matter is in litigation.