Tribe members want more review of planned refinery

NEW TOWN, N.D. (AP) – Some members of the Three Affiliated Tribes want more federal review of a planned oil refinery on the Fort Berthold Reservation in northwest North Dakota.

The Environmental Protection Agency earlier approved a permit for the discharge of treated wastewater. The group says the approval came before the tribe decided the refinery would process North Dakota crude rather than Canadian oil.

The Bismarck Tribune reports (http://bit.ly/rGNjRC ) that the matter will go before an EPA appeals board. EPA spokeswoman Lisa McLain Vanderpool says that board's decision can be appealed in federal court.

Tribal officials have called for proposals to finance a refinery costing up to $400 million. The project also will need an air quality permit.

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Information from: Bismarck Tribune, http://www.bismarcktribune.com