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Crew Camp Proposed In Harding County

The population of western South Dakota's Harding County might see significant increases in the future. A crew camp to house oil field workers is being proposed west of Buffalo. The suggested camp comes in preparation for the proposed Keystone XL pipeline, which is still pending federal approval. But not everyone is on board for the presence of a crew camp or the pipeline.

If the Keystone XL Pipeline is approved it will transport crude oil from Canada all the way down to southern U.S. refineries. This means oil field workers are going to need a place to stay, and these large buildings are commonly referred to as "man camps."

Robert Johnson is Chairman of the Harding County Commission Board. He says if the pipeline and crew camp proposals are approved, anywhere from 750 to 1,000 workers are expected to come to the county. He says some people are wary of the population increase.

"Of course they’re concerned about all the people, law enforcement issues, traffic issues, things like that mainly," says Johnson. "It’s going to further double the size of our county so I’d say that’s probably the main issues, the law enforcement is probably one of the bigger ones which I don’t think, because these people are not, they’re people that are professional people, welders and stuff like that. I don’t see it being a big problem but it’s always a concern when you double the size of your county practically."

Johnson says many people are also concerned about the effects the pipeline may have on their personal property. But he hopes the proposal is approved because he thinks it will provide great benefits to Harding County, like reduced taxes and electricity rates.

He says a decision about the crew camp will most likely be made at the next county planning and zoning meeting.

Tags
News Buffalo & Harding County, South DakotaMining / Pipelines / Oil / Gas / Energy