As a former resident and current mineral rights owner in Mountrail County, I closely follow the Bakken oil developments in western North Dakota.

I would hope the Legislature and governor of North Dakota would become more proactive in establishing economic development zones so the non-renewable wealth being extracted from the oil-producing counties is used to develop future businesses to sustain these areas when the oil wells run dry.

As an example, EOG Resources made the first major Bakken discovery in Wayzetta Township in Mountrail County in May 2006. Since that discovery, the state has collected over $13 million in oil-related taxes and royalties from Wayzetta Township wells.

The challenge for North Dakota government officials is to use the oil money coming from these wells to encourage and financially support the oil-producing counties' efforts to attract new businesses to their rural communities.

Now is the time to enact programs that will sustain the vitality of these communities for the benefit of future generations.