A dig at a site believed to have mammoth bones shows it is worthy of further excavation, according to the North Dakota Geological Survey. 

Mammoth bones were first discovered at the site in northwest North Dakota in 1988 during the construction of a garage. The North Dakota Geological Survey and state Historical Society returned to this site in September to confirm that mammoth bones are there. 

Senior Paleontologist Clint Boyd said the fossil dig near the garage aligns with what construction workers reported and that there are likely more bones beneath the garage. 

A dig below the garage would require money from the Legislature to move a portion of the garage, dig beneath and then restore the garage.

Boyd said there has been “great collaboration” with the property owner, who is not the same owner that built the garage. 

Boyd reviewed the mammoth dig site and other archaeological explorations Tuesday with the North Dakota Industrial Commission, which oversees the agency. 

Boyd said the woolly mammoth was likely not yet an adult and is about 13,500 years old, right about the time that evidence shows the first humans living in North America. He said no evidence of human activity has been found at the site. 

NEW TOWN, N.D. — A Kansas man has died in a two-vehicle crash in northwest North Dakota, according to state troopers.

The crash happened at 3:36 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 26, closing State Highway 23 between Highway 22 and 104th Avenue Northwest for several hours, according to a news release.

A 43-year-old El Dorado, Kansas, man was driving a 2015 Chevrolet Silverado east on Highway 23 about 14 miles west of New Town when he rear-ended a 2012 Kenworth semi, according to the release. The pickup driver, who was not wearing his seat belt, died at the scene, state troopers said.

The semi driver was not injured, the release said. He was wearing his seat belt, according to the Highway Patrol.

New Town is about 95 miles north of Dickinson.

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Submitted Photo
Several midwestern states, including North Dakota, have been looking over plans submitted by Summit Carbon Solutions for what’s described as one of the largest carbon capture and storage projects in the world. Photo from Adobe Stock.

More regulatory action is needed, but a controversial pipeline project in North Dakota is moving forward after a permit was recently approved.

Supporters and opponents are now eyeing the next steps.

The state’s Public Service Commission gave Summit Carbon Solutions the green light for a siting permit for its planned route in North Dakota.

The company wants to construct a multi-state pipeline in the Midwest to capture carbon pollution from ethanol plants and store the emissions underground in North Dakota.

The commission last year rejected Summit’s initial permit request.

Zach Cassidy, CO2 pipeline organizer for Dakota Resource Council, said the latest outcome raises a big question.

“Who in our state government, or our local governments, has the power to make safety decisions on this pipeline for their residents?” said Cassidy. “Because if county commissioners can’t do it, and if the PSC won’t do it, that means that no one is looking out for us.”

He’s referring to rulings that state law supersedes counties pursuing zoning restrictions.

Cassidy said in North Dakota, Summit still needs a storage permit and opponents will focus on that, along with legislative changes.

The company praised the decision, noting it will soon reapply for a permit in South Dakota, which also initially said no.

The project has led to backlash over concerns such as public safety and landowner rights.

Summit also says it has secured more than 80% of land easements needed for the North Dakota route.

Ahead of last Friday’s unanimous approval, Commission Chair Randy Christmann strongly encouraged the company not to rely on practices such as eminent domain as it keeps reaching out to landowners.

“It is something that burdens families for generations,” said Christmann. “Eminent domain should never be abused.”

Summit insists it remains committed to working collaboratively with affected landowners and communities.

Beyond the Dakotas, the company is awaiting a permit decision in Minnesota. It already secured permit approval in Iowa. Nebraska also is included in the multi-state plan.