Compiled by LAUREN DONOVAN

Bismarck Tribune

A Prairie Poll of readers of several North Dakota weekly newspapers supports more power plants and oil refineries in the state.

Some of those surveyed also think the state should help finance them.

The poll went out to readers of 11 newspapers asking them if they support the development in spite of any environmental issues.

More than half said they would like to see more power plants and two-thirds said they'd like to see more refineries.

Support for more power plants ranged from 44 percent to 62 percent of respondents.

Refinery development got an even higher "thumbs up," ranging from 50 percent approval to 62 percent.

Most also think oil and energy are causes of the state's economic success, while in answer to another question, think agricultural processing holds the most potential for future growth, compared to energy development, technology or tourism.

In fact, only 4 percent of respondents said tourism holds potential for economic growth here.

Towns that were surveyed were Lisbon, Napoleon, Grafton, Carrington, Stanley, Crosby, New Town, Rolla, Kenmare, Watford City and Garrison.

- Napoleon Homestead

Oil auction success

Members of the Three Affiliated Tribes should expect oil companies to come knocking on their doors.

Those personal contacts will come following a successful mineral lease auction held on the Fort Berthold Indian Reservation on Nov. 15.

Sealed bids from 17 companies were open for 2,000 tracts totaling 200,000 acres. Some acres were later withdrawn because some oil companies were already in negotiations with the mineral owners.

Overall, EOG Resources, of Denver, had the highest bid bonus per acre, at $651 for tracts in McKenzie County. Lowest was $79 per acre, bid by Stephens Co., for leases in Mountrail County.

Tracts in Dunn County appeared to attract the most bidders, particularly in two townships, where Simray Production, of Texas, was high at $606 per acre.

Bureau of Indian Affairs superintendent Howard Bemer said the agency will send out a formal award letter to the highest bidder of each tract and the names of the tribal members who have ownership.

Then, the process allows those companies to get signed mineral leases from the mineral owners.

The superintendent can extend the lease process between private companies and the mineral acres after the normal 30-day period expires.

"It's strictly up to me," Bemer said, when asked how many times an extension can be granted.

In order to preserve the integrity of the auction, Bemer said the agency would not entertain any other lease inquiries until the 30-day period expires.

Bemer said the agency would work as quickly as it could to get the deals done, in order to benefit both the companies and the mineral owners.

- New Town News

Where to go now?

School boards in McClusky and Goodrich feel down but not defeated by the recent election.

The boards had proposed a consolidation into one Sheridan County school district, an idea that was OK'd in McClusky, but overwhelmingly defeated in Goodrich.

Board presidents Scott Dockter of Goodrich and Brian Larson of McClusky said they need to continue to demonstrate unity, take and breath and be temperate in what they say so as not to make the situation worse.

Dockter said when he saw two-thirds of people in Goodrich voted against the consolidation, his first thought was that he had failed.

"People elected us to make the right decision to represent them," Dockter said.

Larson said he's not sure what direction the boards should take now.

"We were focused so long on the best plan, it is hard to know where to go," he said.

Dockter said the most important thing is to continue to show both communities there is no animosity between the boards.

"We shared so much, the teachers, the administration, but the biggest struggle was and is to keep communications open to show we can still work together," he said.

Larson said people who had hoped the Goodrich school could remain operational at least until a fairly big group of sophomores could graduate voted down the best chance of that happening.

Dockter said he hopes people will attend the December school board meeting.

If they don't show up, if there is no remorse for how they voted, if we hear nothing but a one-room schoolhouse, that may appear to be the only direction we are to take, he said.

Larson said the boards didn't explore any other options and may now need to look in other directions.

- McClusky Gazette