It’s an unusual reclamation bond release.
It involves 87 acres of land at the Falkirk Mine.
The land that had been mined has become residential.
North Dakota Public Service Commissioner Randy Christmann said Falkirk entered into a land-swap with landowners Chad and Jennfier Berg. Christmann said the Bergs wanted to develop this tract of land into a farmstead.
"The Bergs' former farmstead, located in another are of this mine permit, will be mined through in the near future," Christmann said.
Christmann said there are now two homes on that lot, along with several farm buildings and grain bins, a feedlot, a hay yard, spring calving lot – with a future shelterbelt area.
Commissioner Julie Fedorchak called it a true success story.
"Based on the photos and the maps provided, it looks like a great operation that they (the Bergs) have planned and organzed," Fedorchak said. "I just like a lot of things about this."
Falkirk did not ask for any reclamation bond reduction.