BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) - Two of the biggest groups representing farmers in North Dakota are split over recent legislation aimed at preventing spills and other problems related to the 20,000 miles of pipelines in the state.
Gov. Jack Dalrymple signed legislation in April that sets aside $400,000 for the program that would hire ombudsmen to work with landowners to resolve pipeline issues.
North Dakota Farm Bureau public policy director Pete Hanebutt says that the program grows government and duplicates services already in place.
North Dakota Farmers Union member advocacy director Kayla Pulvermacher says her group favors the program. Pulvermacher says pipeline reclamation issues have been of widespread concern among its membership.