When a person thinks of Minot Air Force Base, they might picture the installation thirteen miles north of the Magic City. But the base's reach extends far beyond that footprint: the 91st Missile Wing operates 150 Minuteman III ICBM silos spread across 8,500 square miles of north-central North Dakota — spanning eight counties and dozens of communities.
As the Air Force moves into a major modernization of that complex, the physical and logistical demands on the surrounding region are growing. Minot Air Force Base, the City of Minot, and regional partners including the Minot Area Chamber EDC are now taking a coordinated look at how that growth intersects with the communities around it — and how to plan for it wisely.
That process is the Minot Air Force Base Compatible Use Study, and it’s underway now. A series of public open houses were held in June in Minot, Mohall, and New Town to introduce the study to community members. The consulting firm conducting the study, HR Green, also presented to MACEDC’s Military Affairs Committee earlier this month.
The purpose of the Compatible Use Study is to encourage development that is compatible with military training and operations, reduce potential impacts of military activities on surrounding areas, and strengthen coordination among local governments, Tribal Nations, and Minot Air Force Base.
Public input is a key part of the process. Those who missed the open houses can still participate at minotcus.com, where the project team has posted a community questionnaire, a map-based comment tool, and a contact form. Feedback is welcome and will be accepted through December.
What is the Minot Air Force Base Compatible Use Study (CUS)?
The CUS is a federally funded planning process administered through the Department of War's Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation. It brings together communities, local governments, Tribal Nations, and a military installation to assess how land use, development patterns, and military operations interact, and to make recommendations for keeping them compatible over time.
The Minot Air Force Base Compatible Use Study Area, which includes cities in eight counties and the Mandan, Hidatsa, and Arikara Nation.
Why is the CUS being conducted now?
The timing of the CUS coincides with the Sentinel ICBM modernization program – a major undertaking that will affect rural roads, power systems, fiber infrastructure, and communities across the region. It has also been more than a decade since the 2015 Joint Land Use Study was completed, making it a good time to take a fresh look at how Minot Air Force Base interacts with nearby communities.
How is “compatibility” defined?
Compatibility, in relationship to military readiness, is the balance between community and military needs and interests. The goal of compatibility planning is to promote an environment where both entities can successfully coexist.
What will the study look at?
The CUS will assess 26 compatibility factors across six categories:
- Community Connections: Communication, housing, public services, cultural resources, and legislation
- Growth and Land Patterns: Land use, infrastructure extensions, safety zones, vertical obstructions, and public trespassing
- Mobility and Operations: Roadway capacity, airspace competition, noise, dust/smoke, and vibration
- Natural Systems: Air quality, biological resources, water quality, and scarce natural resources
- Technology and Utilities: Frequency spectrum capacity, frequency spectrum impedance/interference, energy development, and light and glare
- Readiness and Resilience: Cybersecurity, anti-terrorism/force protection, and resiliency
Not all 26 will necessarily be relevant to the Minot area. Strategies will be developed only for factors identified as genuine concerns.
What kind of recommendations will come out of it?
The CUS will produce an Implementation Plan with recommended actions organized into short-term (1–3 years), mid-term (4–10 years), and long-term (11–20 years) timeframes. These recommendations may include non-regulatory approaches, like improving communication channels and coordination between the base and local governments, as well as policy suggestions, such as zoning guidance, subdivision standards, or infrastructure planning.
How can people participate?
The open houses are over, but community input is still welcome. Visit minotcus.com to complete the 21-question community questionnaire, drop a comment pin on the interactive map, or send a message directly to the project team.