Columbians explored environmental regulation and protection and biodiversity

The Minot Area Council for International Visitors hosted four Columbian government officials traveling with two interpreters July 9 to 13. The international visitors investigated American governmental and non-governmental programs and cooperative efforts which involve environmental regulation and promote environmental protection and biodiversity. The group traveled under the International Visitor Leadership Program of the U.S. State Department.

The international visitors (listed by name and title) were Wilington Angarita Angarita, technical administrator, corposantander, Regional Environmental Agency - Santander Region; Jose Alain Hoyos Hernandez, deputy director, environmental regulation at Cormagdalena, Regional Environmental Agency, High Magdalena Region; Juliana Hoyos Moncayo, coordinator, designing and implementing product marketing strategies, Natural Parks; and Juan Carlos Sanchez Medina, environmental and sanitary engineer, Cormacarena, Regional Environmental Agency, Meta Department. The interpreters were Natasha Bonilla and Nancy Hand.

“MACIV was excited to host this delegation. North Dakota's unique combination of resources, including coal, oil, gas and wind, allowed us to craft a program that highlighted the issues involved in balancing energy and environmental concerns,” said Joseph Jastrzembski, MACIV president.

The delegation visited Falkirk Mine, a coal mine; Coal Creek Station, North Dakota’s largest power plant, and the Custer Mine Overlook. The Custer Mine Overlook is the former location of the Truax-Taer Mine, an old strip mining area. On the Fort Berthold Indian Reservation, they discussed oil and gas development and regulation with representatives from the Three Affiliated Tribes. They also visited the Knife River Indian Villages National Historic Site. They learned what effect oil and gas development has had on the historic site. Knife River Indian Villages offered the visitors a glimpse of the lives of the ancestors of the Northern Plains Indians, particularly the Hidatsa people, on the Upper Missouri.

A nonprofit, community-and university-based organization, MACIV has been headquartered at Minot State University since 1992. MACIV designs and implements professional programs and provides cultural activities and home-hospitality opportunities for foreign leaders, specialists and international scholars. Individuals from the local council include Minot State University students, faculty and staff, as well as members from Minot and surrounding communities. For questions, contact Jastrzembski at joseph.jastrzembski@minotstateu.edu or 858-3322.

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Published: 07/18/14   


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