PENN, N.D. (AP) — This community 11 miles northwest of Devils Lake could well become North Dakota's newest ghost town.
Owners of 11 of the 16 occupied homes have applied for federal buyouts in the unincorporated village with an estimated population of 25.
The ever-expanding Devils Lake is more than a mile away, but the water table throughout the Upper Devils Lake Basin is so high that it is flooding septic systems, forcing many residents to pump water — even raw sewage — from their property from spring thaw to freeze-up.
Locals have been struggling with whether to seek a federal buyout and give up their homes, or stay and invest in an uncertain future.
"I don't really want it," Dick Legacie said of the buyout. "My wife would want it. We have the lowest spot in town."
Whether the Legacies and others accept buyouts depends on the property appraisals this spring and the amount of money the government offers.
One who is staying is Kim Fagerlund, who moved from Cando six years ago. She manages the Buckhorn Saloon, the only business in Penn, and is remodeling an older house.
"I didn't have any problems last spring," she said. "I hate to see the buyout happen, but there are people who don't have a choice."
In 2001, the federal government bought out the neighboring community of Churchs Ferry, 10 miles to the west. Dozens of people living along the expanding shores of Devils Lakes also have taken buyouts.
Some people in the area think there must be a better solution.
"You're watching your community die, and it doesn't seem like that should be necessary," said Lee Gessner, an area farmer and township supervisor. "We're having enough problems keeping people in these rural communities. I just don't think the government should be helping to make it happen."
Gessner said federal money would be better spent on helping build new septic systems and providing modern rural water hookups.
State officials say a buyout makes sense in Penn.
"Quite frankly, in trying to put in new sewer systems where the ground is so saturated, it's difficult," said Ray Morrell, hazard mitigation specialist with the North Dakota Department of Emergency Services. "But the buyout is completely their choice. Nobody has to accept it."
Fagerlund wonders about the future of Penn. If all 11 homeowners accept buyouts, she will be one of 10 or fewer people left in town.
"I don't want to leave Penn," she said. "It's a very close-knit community. Everybody looks out for each other. What's going to happen to the community? There won't be much here. I think the bar will be OK. But it's kind of scary. It's going to be very sad if it happens."
