View Point: Choosing a Reclamation Seed Mix to Maintain Rangelands During Energy Development in the Bakken

Abstract

On the Ground • Pipelines across the eastern Montana–western North Dakota portion of the northern Great Plains are proliferating due to continuing oil and gas development. • Pipelines are linear disturbances reclaimed after construction, and they impact a large number of livestock producers. • While livestock are usually removed from pastures during the construction phase, proper reclamation and revegetation paired with informed grazing management may return pastures to use quickly and profitably. • Research is needed to determine how the simultaneous seeding of an annual cover crop with desired perennial grasses can enhance livestock production while ensuring the success of perennial grass forage species.