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Brine contamination is an anthropogenic disturbance that stalls natural successional processes. Climate, hydrology, and mineralogy influence salt movement within the soil profile. Semi-arid to arid climates of western North Dakota are characterized by their lack of water availability, which prohibit salts from leaching beyond depths that allow seed germination and propagation of plant roots. Positively charged NaCl ions bind tightly to negatively charged clays that affect the soil water's osmotic energy potential, inhibiting the plants ability to uptake water and nutrients. Inevitably less salt tolerant species become stressed from the lack of available water and nutrients, unable to carry-out their natural physiological functions to survive. In the absence of remediation techniques, salts from spills related to energy development in the Bakken region can remain in the soil profile for decades, significantly reducing soil and plant productivity. Spill sites will remain barren until the chemical stressor is reduced or removed. The purpose of this study is to collect quantitative insight on plant and soil parameters to help create best management practices to remediate land affected by brine spills and to reinforce the problems that occur when land is not reclaimed. We sampled seven unreclaimed brine spill sites in western North Dakota in August, 2014. Brine spill sites ranged from recent (less than five years) to 40+ years. Soil bulk density, core samples, and electrical conductivity along with vegetation composition and biomass data was collected along a brine gradient, starting at the center of the spill and extending beyond the spill boundary. Analysis of soil samples will be used to determine the characteristics of brine contamination. Data from the analysis will be used to determine brine tolerances of native and introduced species.