The Souris Basin Planning Council is a combination of local governments and citizens from Bottineau, Burke, McHenry, Mountrail, Pierce, Renville and Ward Counties. It has the responsibility of developing plans and allocating resources within the seven county area. The Council is NOT another level of government, but a council of local governmental entities acting in an advisory and service capacity.

The Council is concerned with regional and community development and will assist in locating new industries; vocational and technical training; coordinating government and business grants, loans, technical assistance, etc.; land use planning; housing; improving governmental services and other "action oriented" activities. Planning is simply the means by which development is guided and directed.