AGP Executive Report

Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library (Medora) Opens: North Dakota’s Badlands are getting a major new conservation-minded landmark as the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library prepares for its public opening July 4, with a 96,000-square-foot museum on a 93-acre campus near Theodore Roosevelt National Park. The design is pitched as highly sustainable, aiming for “Four Zeros” (zero energy, zero carbon, zero water, zero waste) and using geothermal wells plus mass-timber and rammed-earth elements. Rural Health Tech Funding: North Dakota HHS launched a new funding opportunity to help rural providers modernize electronic medical record systems, including support for tools that improve care coordination and outcomes. I-94 Upgrade (Bismarck Area): The state received $24 million in federal support for a “State of Good Repair” project upgrading a 20-mile stretch of I-94 east of Bismarck. Airport Improvements: FAA grants totaling nearly $32 million will fund runway, terminal, and safety upgrades at multiple North Dakota airports. Lead Water Pipe Hunt: Cities including Mandan are working to identify hazardous lead water service lines, using engineering support to narrow down unknowns. Drought & Forage Pressure: NDSU Extension says drought and dry conditions are cutting forage growth, with guidance for supplemental forage planning for ranchers. Heat & Summer Risks: Coverage also flags rising summer heat impacts, including higher electricity costs to keep cool and increased risk of harmful cyanobacteria during hot weather.

Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library (Medora): North Dakota’s new TR Presidential Library opens July 4, built on a Badlands site with a “Four Zeros” plan (zero energy, carbon, water, and waste), geothermal power, and a mass-timber design aimed at major sustainability goals. Road & airport upgrades: The state is getting $24M for an I-94 “State of Good Repair” stretch east of Bismarck, and nearly $32M in FAA airport grants for runway, lighting, and terminal apron improvements across multiple North Dakota airports. Lead in drinking water: North Dakota cities including Mandan are hunting for hazardous lead service lines as part of federal-backed work to inventory and replace older pipes. Drought pressure on ranchers: NDSU Extension says drought and early forage maturity are cutting grass production, with guidance on supplemental forage options. Heat and public events: Extreme heat has disrupted major Independence Day festivities, including a state fair shutdown in Washington, D.C., underscoring rising summer strain. Plastics policy fight: A 17-state coalition including North Dakota is suing California over its single-use plastics packaging rules, arguing higher costs and overreach.

Rural Health Tech: North Dakota HHS is offering about $500,000 per awardee to help rural providers upgrade electronic medical records, aiming to improve care coordination and cut down on patients repeating their stories. Heat & Climate Signals: A new look at NOAA data finds July is among North Dakota’s hottest on record since 1895, underscoring how rising temperatures are stacking the odds for extreme heat. Water Safety: The state DEQ warns that harmful algae has been detected in three North Dakota lakes—Lake Darling, Bowman-Haley Dam, and South Golden Lake—raising risks for people and animals. Lead in Drinking Water: Cities including Mandan are hunting for hazardous lead service lines, using mapping and inventories to target replacements and reduce exposure. Wildlife Watch: North Dakota’s spring breeding duck survey shows breeding duck numbers have fallen below the long-term average for the first time in 33 years, as habitat declines. Conservation Debate: Conservation leaders are pushing back on how Trump and Interior Secretary Doug Burgum are handling Theodore Roosevelt’s legacy and public lands. Drought Planning: NDSU Extension urges ranchers to consider supplemental forage options as drought and abnormally dry conditions persist. Public Lands & Access: Conservation groups are also sounding alarms about rules that would limit public input on oil and gas leasing. Grid Build-Out: Western governors, including North Dakota, signed on to speed transmission planning and permitting to strengthen the regional electric grid. Local Culture: Arlee Esyapqeyni powwow royalty reflect on a year of growth, community service, and cultural leadership.

Theodore Roosevelt Library in Medora: President Donald Trump dedicated the new $450M Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library, presenting Roosevelt’s Medal of Honor as a new artifact and praising the conservation legacy—while conservation groups say the Trump-Burgum administration is undermining it. Public Lands Push: A North Dakota Public Lands Coalition projected pro-public-lands messaging in Utah timed with the library opening and Western Governors’ meeting, underscoring ongoing fights over land stewardship. Grid & Transmission: Gov. Joe Lombardo joined a 10-state Western agreement to speed transmission permitting and expand the regional electric grid, aiming to improve reliability without weakening environmental protections. North Dakota Water Safety: ND DEQ warned that harmful algae were found in three lakes—Lake Darling, Bowman-Haley Dam, and South Golden Lake—raising risks for people and animals. Wildlife Watch: North Dakota’s spring breeding duck survey shows duck numbers down nearly 30% and below the long-term average for the first time in 33 years, with wetland habitat also reported well below average. Recycling & Industry: Continental Battery Systems highlighted a program to keep used batteries out of landfills through reuse, reconditioning, and recycling. Rural Health Tech Grants: ND HHS opened funding to help rural providers enhance electronic medical records to improve care coordination and outcomes.

Wildlife & Habitat: North Dakota’s spring breeding duck survey shows the breeding duck index has fallen below the long-term average for the first time in 33 years, down nearly 30% from 2023 and tied to shrinking wetland habitat and declining Conservation Reserve Program acres. Public Health & Water Quality: The FDA says it will move to set PFAS limits for bottled water after finding detectable PFAS in some samples, with standards expected to match or exceed EPA’s drinking-water limits. Rural Health: North Dakota HHS is offering about $500,000 in wellness equipment grants for rural hospitals to support staff mental and physical well-being. Climate & Infrastructure: A proposed $1 billion Nakota Data Campus in North Dakota is pitched as carbon-conscious AI infrastructure built around firm power and low-water cooling. Severe Weather: A major thunderstorm system dumped torrential rain in western Manitoba after developing over North Dakota, flooding homes and raising river levels. Conservation Politics: Conservation groups criticize the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library opening as a celebration that clashes with recent conservation rollbacks. Outdoor Recreation: The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is waiving day-use fees July 3–5 at recreation areas, while reminding visitors that explosives and fireworks are prohibited on federal lands.

Northern Lights Watch: NOAA says minor geomagnetic storms could make the aurora visible across parts of the northern U.S., including North Dakota, with best chances from dark, low-light areas. Energy Grid Push: Western governors backed a multi-state effort (WestTEC) to speed transmission permitting and planning, with North Dakota included as demand rises and extreme weather strains the grid. Conservation Clash Around TR Library: As President Trump and Interior Secretary Doug Burgum head to Medora for the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library opening, North Dakota conservation groups accuse them of undermining Roosevelt’s land-protection legacy. Plastic Packaging Lawsuit: North Dakota joins a 17-state coalition suing California over its single-use plastic packaging rules, arguing the law raises costs and harms businesses. Rural Wellness Grants: North Dakota opened a funding opportunity for rural and tribal schools to buy wellness equipment aimed at boosting student physical activity and mental well-being. Wildlife & Habitat Concerns: Separate reporting highlights how border-wall construction could disrupt wildlife movement and native plants, underscoring habitat connectivity risks.

Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library in Medora: President Trump is set to visit North Dakota Wednesday ahead of the July 4 opening of the $450 million Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library, built in the Badlands to spotlight TR’s conservation legacy and citizenship themes. Conservation backlash: North Dakota conservationists say the Trump-Burgum team is undermining Roosevelt’s land-protection work, warning public lands could face more pressure as energy dominance goals grow. Prairie habitat & biodiversity: Enbridge announced a $2.5M founding gift to support the library’s sustainability and conservation efforts, including restoring 400,000 native plants to boost prairie biodiversity and wildlife habitat. Outdoor recreation funding: North Dakota awarded Recreational Trails Program grants, including $250,000 for Jamestown’s White Cloud Trail extension to connect parks and expand safe multi-use access. Grid upgrades across the West: Western governors backed a multi-state task force to update transmission lines, aiming to cut bottlenecks and prepare for surging electricity demand tied to AI and electrification. Energy + AI power pressure: A new report-style look at the AI boom argues the biggest constraint is electricity, with data-center projects facing long waits for transmission and interconnection. Public health for rural workers/students: North Dakota HHS opened grant opportunities for rural hospital wellness equipment and rural/tribal school wellness equipment, targeting burnout, stress, and healthier learning environments. Severe weather & flooding risk: Storm systems brought heavy rain and flooding impacts in the region, with officials urging preparedness as conditions shift.

Outdoor Recreation Funding: North Dakota’s Recreational Trails Program received 17 applications totaling $3.48 million, with Jamestown Parks and Recreation winning $250,000 to extend the White Cloud Trail and link Liechty and McElroy parks into a continuous off-street multi-use corridor. Conservation Under Scrutiny: North Dakota conservation leaders are speaking out ahead of President Trump and Interior Secretary Doug Burgum’s Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library dedication, arguing federal actions are weakening Roosevelt-era public land protections and land-management science. Prairie & Water Safety: NDSU Extension warns hot summer conditions raise the risk of toxic cyanobacteria in water used by livestock, wildlife, and people, urging nutrient and runoff awareness. Boating Enforcement: North Dakota Game and Fish will boost on-the-water patrols July 3–5 for Operation Dry Water, targeting impaired boating during the Fourth of July weekend. Community Nature Event: Spring Lake Nature Center’s Roots & Wings Festival returns July 11 with hands-on learning across wildlife, conservation, science, and outdoor recreation. Weather Watch: Severe storm risk continues to ripple through the region, with Environment Canada tracking damaging winds, heavy rain, hail, and possible tornado activity. Energy & Land Use: A North Dakota landowners’ dispute over a gas pipeline attorney-fee costs heads toward the Supreme Court, spotlighting tensions between property rights and energy development.

Severe Weather Watch: Environment Canada ended a Tornado Watch for much of southern Manitoba but kept an orange-level Severe Thunderstorm Watch as storms push north from the Dakotas, with heavy rain, large hail, strong wind gusts, and tornado risk still on the table. Storm Damage Review: Southeast Saskatchewan communities including Beaubier reported major wind damage, snapped power lines, and even a barn reportedly ripped from its foundation; investigators are reviewing whether a tornado touched down. Prairie Conservation Funding: Enbridge announced a $2.5M founding gift to the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library in Medora, supporting sustainability and conservation work, including restoring 400,000 native plants to strengthen prairie biodiversity and wildlife habitat. Local Outdoors Investment: Jamestown Parks and Recreation won $250,000 for a White Cloud Trail extension, building a continuous off-street multi-use corridor to connect parks and green space. Water Infrastructure Grants: EPA is sending $1.6M to improve drinking water infrastructure in North Dakota and other states, targeting upgrades and contaminants like PFAS and lead. Wildlife Monitoring: North Dakota Game and Fish continues Missouri River paddlefish tagging to track population health and river ecosystem conditions. Energy Line Court Fight: North Dakota landowners are asking the state Supreme Court to pause parts of the JETx transmission line approval, arguing regulators didn’t properly notify affected communities.

Severe Weather Watch: Southern Manitoba and parts of North Dakota are bracing for damaging thunderstorms this evening, with heavy rain, strong wind gusts, large hail, and a tornado risk as storms move north. Wildlife & Water: North Dakota Game and Fish is continuing Missouri River paddlefish tagging to track population health, using the fish as an indicator of the river ecosystem. Conservation in Action: Some Great Plains ranchers are trying hungry goats to slow shrub and tree takeover and protect tallgrass prairie and oak savanna. Clean Water Funding: EPA is sending $1.6 million to improve drinking water infrastructure across multiple states, including North Dakota, with help for PFAS, lead, and local system upgrades. Energy & Permits: A new report warns permitting delays could derail 92 gigawatts of clean power just as AI-driven electricity demand surges. Local Outdoors/Heritage: Minot is honoring Theodore Roosevelt’s conservation legacy with a long-standing Roosevelt statue tied to the city’s parks and zoo. Renewables Permitting Update: PRC Wind has split its Flickertail Wind proposal into two permit applications, potentially increasing peak capacity.

Drinking Water Funding: The EPA is sending $1.6 million in grants to improve drinking water infrastructure in North Dakota and neighboring states, targeting PFAS, lead sources, and other local water problems. Severe Weather Watch: Forecasters warn of a multi-day severe storm setup across the Northern Plains, with strong winds and large hail threats building into the workweek. Drought & Farming Impacts: Drought is still spreading through parts of the Dakotas, leaving farmers juggling forage shortages and crop stress while others deal with too much rain. Clean Camping Push: Western North Dakota parks are seeing strong summer use, with officials stressing clean camping habits to protect land and wildlife. Plastics Fight in Court: North Dakota is among 17 Republican states suing California over its plastics packaging law, arguing it drives up costs and reaches beyond state lines. Wind Power Permits: PRC Wind has split its Flickertail Wind proposal into two permit applications, potentially boosting total peak capacity in Eddy and Wells counties. Aurora Forecast: NOAA says northern lights chances rise Monday night, with brighter skies possible farther south than usual.

Drinking Water Funding: The EPA is sending $1.6 million in grants to improve drinking water infrastructure in Colorado, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah, and Wyoming, targeting upgrades plus PFAS and lead concerns for small and rural systems. Legal Fight Over Plastics: Seventeen Republican attorneys general, including North Dakota’s, are suing to block California’s Plastic Pollution Prevention and Packaging Producer Responsibility Act, arguing it unlawfully forces nationwide compliance and could raise costs for everyday goods. Severe Weather Watch: Forecasters say the Northern Plains face a multi-day stretch of storms, with damaging winds and large hail the main threats heading into Sunday and Monday. Northern Lights Forecast: NOAA is calling for better aurora odds next week, with Monday night’s forecast suggesting lights could be visible farther south than usual. Local Conservation/Outdoors: A North Dakota column raises the possibility of a bear season in the Walhalla area, with Game and Fish weighing whether it would be positive for the state. Community Health & Support: Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Dakota is backing “Strike Out the Stigma” with baseball and softball donations aimed at expanding mental health support for veterans.

Drinking Water Funding: The EPA announced $1.6 million in grants for drinking water upgrades across North Dakota and neighboring states, targeting PFAS, lead sources, and other local contamination issues. Multi-State Plastics Fight: Seventeen Republican attorneys general, including North Dakota’s Marty Jackley, sued to block California’s Plastic Pollution Prevention and Packaging Producer Responsibility Act, arguing it drives up costs and overreaches beyond state lines. Severe Weather Watch: Forecasters warn of a multi-day storm setup over the Northern Plains, with damaging winds and large hail possible across North Dakota and the region. Renewable Energy Permits: PRC Wind filed two permit applications for a split “Flickertail Wind” project in Eddy County, potentially boosting peak capacity to 584 megawatts. Local Conservation & Outdoors: North Dakota Game and Fish is weighing a possible bear season after reports of increased bear sightings in the Walhalla area. Community Health via Sports: Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Dakota’s “Strike Out the Stigma” campaign returns in July, raising money for veteran mental health through baseball and softball strikeouts.

Drinking Water Funding: The EPA announced $1.6 million in grants for drinking water upgrades across North Dakota and other states, targeting PFAS, lead sources, and small-rural system needs. Brownfields Cleanup: EPA also awarded $1.9 million in brownfields grants in North Dakota, including cleanup work tied to the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe and other local sites. Plastics Fight: Seventeen Republican attorneys general, including North Dakota’s Marty Jackley, sued California over its plastics packaging law, arguing it will raise costs nationwide. Wind Power Permits: PRC Wind split its Flickertail Wind proposal into two permit applications in Eddy County, potentially boosting peak capacity to 584 megawatts. Northern Lights Forecast: NOAA says Saturday night aurora chances are best along the northern border, including North Dakota, with a Kp index of four. Veteran Mental Health Through Sports: Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Dakota’s “Strike Out the Stigma” returns in July, with Dickinson’s Badlands Big Sticks joining to raise funds for veteran-focused support. Outdoor Wildlife Watch: A column explores whether North Dakota could see a bear season, with Game and Fish weighing public and landowner reports.

Drinking Water Funding: The EPA announced $1.6 million in grants for drinking-water upgrades across Colorado, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah, and Wyoming, targeting PFAS, lead removal, and small/rural system needs. Local Water Grants: North Dakota and Minnesota also received federal SmaRT Drinking Water Assistance Program funding—$205,000 for ND and $378,000 for MN—to help communities tackle infrastructure and contaminant risks. Plastics Fight: Seventeen Republican attorneys general, including North Dakota’s Marty Jackley, sued California over its single-use plastics packaging law, arguing it will raise costs nationwide. Pipeline Protest Settlement: North Dakota is set to recover nearly $38 million from the federal government tied to the 2016-17 Dakota Access Pipeline protest costs. Wildlife & Outdoors: Park officials in Williams County are urging “clean camping” habits as summer use climbs, warning that trash left behind harms wildlife and other visitors. Weather Watch: Forecasts warn of elevated severe weather risk across the Northern Plains, including damaging winds, large hail, and tornado potential.

Drinking Water Funding: The EPA announced $1.6 million in drinking-water grants for Colorado, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah, and Wyoming, targeting PFAS cleanup, lead sources, and local system upgrades. Severe Weather Watch: Forecasters flagged an elevated risk of damaging winds, large hail, and tornadoes across parts of North Dakota and Minnesota on Sunday. Plastics Fight in Court: Seventeen Republican attorneys general, including North Dakota’s Marty Jackley, sued California over its single-use plastics packaging law, arguing it will raise costs nationwide. DAPL Settlement: North Dakota is set to recover nearly $38 million from the federal government for expenses tied to the 2016-17 Dakota Access Pipeline protests. Wildlife & Habitat: Conservation groups are warning that weakened federal protections for whooping crane habitat could endanger the species, with only about 500 wild migratory cranes remaining. Local Outdoors: Williams County officials urged “clean camping” habits as summer park use climbs, stressing proper trash disposal to protect wildlife and keep sites welcoming.