North Dakota agency ends newspaper notices for oil lease auctions

Transparency concerns raised as Department of Trust Lands moves notices online to save time and money

Mar. 17, 2026 at 11:04am

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The North Dakota Department of Trust Lands, which manages state-owned minerals, is ending the practice of publishing notices of oil and gas lease auctions in local newspapers. The agency says the change will save time and money, but opponents argue it reduces transparency and makes it harder for the public, especially older residents, to stay informed about activity on state-owned lands in their communities.

Why it matters

The Department of Trust Lands' decision to stop publishing auction notices in newspapers is part of a broader trend of government agencies attempting to eliminate requirements to publish public notices in local papers. Critics argue this reduces transparency and makes it harder for the public to stay informed about government activity, especially in rural areas where newspapers remain an important source of news.

The details

The Department of Trust Lands plans to continue posting digital notices of lease auctions on its website and through the company that runs the auction process. The agency says this will ensure potential bidders are aware of the auctions. However, opponents argue public notices should not be viewed as just advertising for industry, as local communities, mineral owners, and landowners all benefit from knowing when state-owned mineral acres in their area are up for auction.

  • The rule change will take effect on April 1, 2026.
  • The Department of Trust Lands has paid an average of $17,000 annually in the last three years for public notices, including but not limited to oil and gas lease auctions.

The players

Department of Trust Lands

The North Dakota agency responsible for managing state-owned lands and minerals.

Rep. Don Longmuir

A Republican state representative from Stanley, North Dakota, who made a motion to delay the rule change due to concerns about reduced transparency.

Joseph Heringer

The Land Commissioner for the Department of Trust Lands, who said the goal of the change is to reach the target market of oil and gas companies more efficiently.

Cecile Wehrman

The executive director of the North Dakota Newspaper Association, who argued that public notices should not be viewed as just advertising and that the public has a right to know about activity on state-owned lands.

Sen. Bob Paulson

The Republican state senator from Minot who chaired the interim committee that allowed the agency to proceed with the rule change, noting that society is transitioning to more of an online culture.

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What they’re saying

“That's the one thing we always hear so much about, is transparency. Well, transparency is letting as many people know in as many ways as you can.”

— Rep. Don Longmuir, State Representative

“We have a specific target market here, and the target market is oil and gas companies who will develop the leases. The goal is to get as many of those so you can get the most bids and the highest bids.”

— Joseph Heringer, Land Commissioner, Department of Trust Lands

“This belongs to the people of North Dakota and while it's the state government's job to manage these things, it's in all of our interest how that's managed. To have the minimum requirement that they let us know when that's happening is a very small ask.”

— Cecile Wehrman, Executive Director, North Dakota Newspaper Association

“At what point does it become, you know, a burden for these organizations financially, where the return on investment just isn't there?”

— Sen. Bob Paulson, State Senator

What’s next

The North Dakota Newspaper Association may ask the full Legislature to amend state law in the 2027 legislative session to require the Department of Trust Lands to resume publishing notices of oil and gas lease auctions.

The takeaway

This decision by the Department of Trust Lands highlights the ongoing debate over the role of newspapers in publishing public notices, with proponents arguing it is essential for transparency and opponents contending the costs outweigh the benefits as society becomes more digital. The outcome could set a precedent for other government agencies considering similar moves to reduce newspaper publication requirements.