There is a storm brewing in the North Dakota State Legislature over the actions of the State Game and Fish Department. The agency assesses the impact projects like wind farms have on wildlife habitat. North Dakota Grain Growers Association Executive Director Dan Wogsland says mitigation costs are calculated by the agency for direct and indirect costs. “They assess outlandish direct and indirect costs to these projects and direct them to their buddies at Ducks Unlimited or Pheasants Forever and pay that money to those organizations for the impact.” Wogsland cites a situation with the NextEra wind project, where the Game and Fish Department directed the company to pay Ducks Unlimited over $500,000. Energy and agriculture groups are one side of this issue; while sportsmen groups and the Game and Fish Department are on the other side. “You’ve got a lot of different players on this and it will be one heck of a debate.”
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