North Dakota Department of Environmental Quality Archives

Farm equipment accident results in chemicals spilled into western North Dakota river

20 hours ago

KVRR Staff,

BISMARCK, N.D. — The North Dakota Department of Environmental Quality says they have responded to a reported chemical spill in the Cannonball River, near New England, on Wednesday, Sept. 3. New England is about 25 miles south of Dickinson. According to NDDEQ, the spill happened due to a farm implement accident which released an unknown amount of diesel as well…

ND Dept. of Environmental Quality urges caution as smoky conditions return

September 2, 2025

Eric Bolin,

6/2/25FARGO — Smoky skies are returning to the metro as wildfires in Canada heat up, affecting air quality in the state. The North Dakota Department of Environmental Quality says that wildfire smoke from Canada will be making its way to the metro tonight and is expected to be with us for the next couple of days. On the plus side,…

Public health, dept. of environmental quality assisting in investigation of sheen, fuel odor in Fargo

August 18, 2025

KVRR Staff,

FARGO (KVRR-KFGO) – Fargo Cass Public Health and the North Dakota Department of Environmental Quality will determine whether any cleanup is required after a sheen was detected over the weekend in Rose Coulee University Drive and 40th Avenue S. in Fargo. The fire department deployed absorbent booms but was not able to find the source of the possible contamination. Fire…

Smoke from Canadian wildfires expected back in the region in the coming days

July 10, 2025

TJ Nelson,

Dense wildfire smoke from Canada moves through Fargo. 6/2/2025 BISMARCK, N.D. (KVRR) — Weather conditions are expected to send smoke from Canadian wildfires back into our region in the coming days. That will impact air quality. Minnesota Pollution Control says heavy smoke may move into northwest Minnesota Friday afternoon behind a cold front. A second wave of widespread moderate smoke…

Produced water spill from pipeline reported in Williams County

May 27, 2025

KVRR Staff,

BISMARCK, N.D. — The North Dakota Department of Environmental Quality has reported a produced water spill in Williams County on Monday, May 26. Produced water is a by-product of oil and gas production. According to the NDDEQ, the spill originated from a pipeline failure. Continental Resources, Inc. notified NDDEQ about the spill. They estimate 73,000 barrels of produced water was…

Comment period opens on proposed 25,000-cow dairy’s environmental permit

April 21, 2025

KVRR Staff,

Neal Pulskamp, right, and Cindy Pulkskamp, listen to a presentation on Riverview Dairy in Hillsboro, N.D., on April 3, 2025. (Jeff Beach/North Dakota Monitor)HERBERG, N.D. (North Dakota Monitor)— Anyone with concerns about handling the manure from 25,000 cows or other issues associated with what could become North Dakota’s largest dairy are now able to submit comments to the state. The…

Abercrombie Dairy Approved by State of North Dakota

The contentious project now has the backing of a state agency.

January 4, 2025

Gabriel Ostler,

ABERCROMBIE, N.D. – An extremely controversial proposal for a dairy farm has gotten approval from the state of North Dakota. The North Dakota Department of Environmental Quality announced today that they are issuing a state animal feeding Operation permit to Riverview ND LLP, for Abercrombie Dairy, which will be a large Concentrated Animal Feeding Operation in Richland County. Many Abercrombie…

New State Lab to improve PFAS, toxicology testing, state health officials say

December 9, 2024

KVRR Staff,

The new State Lab is under construction on the Capitol grounds in Bismarck on Nov. 21, 2024. (Michael Achterling/North Dakota Monitor)BISMARCK, N.D. (North Dakota Monitor) — A new State Lab under construction on the Capitol grounds will give North Dakota expanded capabilities to address public health and environmental concerns, including testing to detect forever chemicals. North Dakota’s Department of Environmental…

Wildfires cut into oil production; operators agree to some voluntary restrictions

October 11, 2024

KVRR Staff,

Oil wells continue to operate near scorched ground south of Watford City on Oct. 9, 2024. (Jacob Orledge/North Dakota Monitor)(Amy Dalrymple – North Dakota Monitor) North Dakota’s top oil regulator says companies voluntarily agreed to pump less oil to limit fire risk, with more production cuts possible if wildfire conditions worsen. Wildfires that began Saturday in North Dakota’s oil-producing region…

Smoke Returns From Canadian Wildfires and Officials Recommend Limiting Time Outside

June 14, 2023

KVRR Staff,

FARGO, N.D. (KVRR) — North Dakota Department of Environmental Quality is advising residents to consider limiting time outside while smoky conditions remain. They advise people to protect their health and keep windows and doors closed until smoke levels subside. Inhaling fine particles can cause a variety of health effects including respiratory irritation and shortness of breath. It can also worsen…