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CITY, ND – (NewsDakota.com) UND researchers are part of an million federal Energy Department project to determine whether deep rock is suitable for nuclear waste disposal in North Dakota.

Valley City Mayor Bob Werkhoven voiced his concerns over a proposal to conduct deep bore hole drilling in the upper Sheyenne basin that he and other residents fear is a step toward burying nuclear waste.

Researchers have said that no nuclear waste would be buried and that the test holes would be plugged.

But many residents in several counties are skeptical and opponents have submitted petitions to Pierce County in support of a permanent drilling ban. In February, Pierce County planners recommended a permanent ban on deep bore hole drilling to stop the project in their county.

The issue will be discussed during an Upper Sheyenne Basin meeting today in Valley City at the Eagles Club at 9am. The public is encouraged to attend.

There are other counties proposed for this deep bore hole drilling project in North Dakota.