THIS CRITICAL AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH AND EXTENSION (CARE) PROJECT ADDRESSES RESEARCH AND EXTENSION ISSUES SURROUNDING THE IMPACTS OF UNREGULATED SPILLS OF OIL-PRODUCTION WATER, LOCALLY KNOWN AS "BRINE" TO CROP AND RANGELANDS IN THE BAKKEN AND THREE FORKS REGIONS OF NORTH DAKOTA. STAKEHOLDER INVOLVEMENT HAS INCLUDED ON-FARM VISITS, WORKSHOPS, AND FACE-TO-FACE MEETINGS.THE PRIMARY OBJECTIVE OF THIS PROJECT IS TO ESTABLISH A RESEARCH PROJECT TO IDENTIFY SOIL AMENDMENTS AND COVER CROPS THAT ARE SUCCESSFUL IN REMEDIATING THE ECOLOGICAL IMPACTS OF BRINE SPILLS ON RANGE AND CROP LAND. SPECIFICALLY, THE ABILITY TO 1) DECREASE THE SODIUM ADSORPTION RATIO (SAR) AND SALINITY OF SOILS, 2) IMPROVE BIOMASS PRODUCTION, 3) INCREASE THE BIODIVERSITY OF RANGELAND PLANT COMMUNITIES, AND 4) IMPROVE SOIL HEALTH. A CO-OBJECTIVE IS TO DEVELOP AN EXTENSION PROGRAM THAT FOCUSES ON THE EDUCATION OF STAKEHOLDERS AND THE PUBLIC THROUGH AREA EXTENSION SPECIALISTS AND COUNTY EXTENSION AGENTS, FIELD DAYS, WORKSHOPS, "CAFE TALKS," VIDEOS, EXTENSION BULLETINS, POPULAR PRESS NEWS ARTICLES, PRESENTATIONS FOR TEACHING AND COLLABORATING WITH PRIVATE AND PUBLIC ENTITIES, PEER-REVIEWED ARTICLES, AND BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES FOR DEALING WITH THESE SPILLS. HANDS-ON DEMONSTRATIONS AT FIELD DAYS AND WORKSHOPS WILL ENHANCE INFORMATION RETENTION THROUGH VISUAL, AUDITORY, AND TACTILE LEARNING STYLES.THIS PROJECT IMPROVES 1) THE EDUCATION AND AWARENESS OF THESE SPILLS TO THE PUBLIC, 2) IMPROVES WORKFORCE AND SCIENCE LITERACY, 3) PUBLIC AWARENESS OF AGRICULTURE, AND 4) INCREASE SUSTAINABILITY OF AGRICULTURE. IN ADDITION, BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES WILL BE DEVELOPED THAT WILL BE USED BY LANDOWNERS, REGULATORY AGENCIES, AND PRIVATE CONSULTANTS.