Executive Order No. 49, dated September 18, 1969, established eight regions in North Dakota. The purpose of this order was to improve the efficiency and economy in state and local government through regional grouping of counties for planning and administration of state services.

These eight regions are areas involving a combination of counties and cities which have a basic common denominator in their social, economic and cultural pattern of behavior, as well as in their geographic features and other influences.

On February 9, 1972, a regional council was organized, consisting of one county commissioner and one soil conservation district supervisor from each of the seven counties in Region II. The Council was established to facilitate the development of a Resource Conservation and Development (RC&D) project application.

Initially the Council was organized as an independent, nonprofit, non-partisan, unincorporated group having as its primary concern the acceleration of the conservation, development, and proper use of the natural resources within the project area.

On April 4, 1972, the RC&D application was submitted to the U.S. Department of Agriculture via the Soil Conservation Service. Rather than sit back and wait for the approval of this application, the Council began to look at other means of providing assistance to the seven participating counties.

Programs of planning and development assistance offered by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the Economic Development Administration (EDA) appeared meaningful. To qualify for these programs, however, the Council had to be reorganized to provide for representation by cities and minority groups. The Soil Conservation Service and the Cooperative Extension Service provided some assistance during this re-organizational phase.

A new constitution and bylaws was adopted on January 8, 1973. The Council's purposes and powers were expanded to include:

1. Facilitating intergovernmental and interagency cooperation through the creation of a group forum concerned with area wide needs and resources.
2. Coordinating and assisting in the development and implementation of area wide comprehensive plans.
3. Developing a plan of work based upon the priorities, needs and resources of the area.
4. Receiving and expending federal, state and local funds, and contracting with units of government, private organizations and individuals in a manner consistent with the priorities and objectives established.
5. Improving the regional economy by striving for adequate employment opportunities, prosperous agriculture, wise utilization of natural and human resources and adequate processing, marketing and transportation facilities for the area.
6. Furnishing general and technical aid to member governments, organizations and individuals on a request basis to promote and accomplish project policies, plans and measures.
7. Reviewing and commenting on proposals in order to coordinate local, state, regional and federal programs.

To facilitate its development efforts, the Council was incorporated as a nonprofit corporation on October 2, 1973.

On July 25, 1974, the Council's Articles of Incorporation were amended changing it's name to the Souris Basin Planning Council. This change was suggested by the State Planning Division. The new name reflects the fact that the Council is involved in all types of planning and development programs.