Jack Dura

Donald Trump assigned Doug Burgum a singular mission in nominating the governor of oil-rich North Dakota to lead an agency that oversees a half-billion acres of federal land and vast areas offshore: “Drill baby drill.”

Donald Trump assigned North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum a singular mission when leading an agency that oversees a half-billion acres of federal land and vast areas offshore: “Drill baby drill.”

CORRECTS TO FROM RIGHT, NOT LEFT - Badlands Conservation Alliance Executive Director Shannon Straight, from right, Dakota Resource Council Executive Director Scott Skokos, North Dakota Native Vote Executive Director Nicole

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — A coalition of conservation groups and Native American tribal citizens have asked President Joe Biden to designate thousands of acres of rugged, scenic Badlands as North Dakota's first national monument. At least three tribal nations endorse the proposal to preserve the area's Indigenous and cultural heritage. The proposed Maah Daah Hey National Monument would encompass 11 noncontiguous and newly designated units totaling nearly 140,000 acres. Those units would hug the popular Maah Daah Hey Trail and neighbor Theodore Roosevelt National Park. The monument effort faces an uphill battle in the waning days of the Biden administration. Supporters say they would also ask President-elect Donald Trump's administration for support.

A coalition of conservation groups and Native American tribal citizens have asked President Joe Biden to designate thousands of acres of rugged, scenic Badlands as North Dakota's first national monument

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — A coalition of conservation groups and Native American tribal citizens on Friday called on President Joe Biden to designate

A coalition of conservation groups and Native American tribal citizens have asked President Joe Biden to designate thousands of acres of rugged, scenic Badlands as North Dakota's first national monument

A coalition of conservation groups and Native American tribal citizens have asked President Joe Biden to designate thousands of acres of rugged, scenic Badlands as North Dakota's first national monument

This image provided by Lillian Crook shows Bullion Butte in western North Dakota. Lillian Crook - handout one time use, ASSOCIATED PRESS

BISMARCK, N.D. — Donald Trump assigned Doug Burgum a singular mission in nominating the governor of oil-rich North Dakota to lead an agency that