Tribal officials say saltwater spilled near Mandaree

MANDAREE, N.D. (AP) – Tribal officials say they’re looking into a saltwater spill in western North Dakota.

Three Affiliated Tribes Chairman Mark Fox says officials were notified of the spill near Mandaree by a pipeline operator Thursday. He says preliminary assessments indicate roughly 220,000 gallons of saltwater spilled in what’s primarily open field on the Fort Berthold Indian Reservation.

According to Fox, initial reports say no major water sources were impacted by the spill, and that the closest water source is a stream 40 to 50 yards from the affected areas.

The Minot Daily News reports Fox said officials are investigating to find out more details.

A saltwater spill of about 1 million gallons of happened in the Mandaree area in July. Saltwater is a byproduct of oil and natural gas production.

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Information from: Minot Daily News, http://www.minotdailynews.com