ND regulator says potash well site cleaned up

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BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — A North Dakota regulator says a potash mining test well site has been cleaned up.

A potash mining critic had complained the Burke County location was left trashy after the Dakota Salts company drilled the well in late 2010.

Potash is a fertilizer ingredient. The test well was the first one that's been drilled in North Dakota in more than 30 years.

State geologist Ed Murphy told the Legislature's interim Natural Resources Committee on Thursday the site has been cleaned up.

Murphy says the well hasn't been reclaimed yet. He says the property owner wants to delay the process because the well could be sold to use for salt water disposal.

A Dakota Salts spokesman disputes allegations that the well site was left as a mess.

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