Senator says BIA "incompetent" over lack of tribal drilling

Washington (AP) Democratic Senator Byron Dorgan of North Dakota says "incompetence" at the Bureau of Indian Affairs is stalling energy development on tribal lands in his state.

Dorgan is chairman of the Senate Indian Affairs Committee. He says he wants Interior Secretary Dirk Kempthorne to deal with the problem immediately.

The Interior Department didn't respond to a request for comment.

Dorgan says the Fort Berthold reservation is missing out on an oil boom that's benefiting other parts of the state.

The reservation in western North Dakota lies atop part of the Bakken shale formation, parts of which have demonstrated great promise recently for oil production.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.) APNP 06-05-08 1940CDT | save this article / add to your favorites list