- The location of the Belfry well
Please read and plan to attend this important event.
Who: Residents of the Silvertip community in Belfry are petitioning the Carbon County Commission to create a citizen initiated zone in their area. These are landowners who live near the initial Energy Corporation of America well permitted by the Montana Board of Oil and Gas.
- The well at Belfry
What: This zone is a cornerstone of the strategy to bring fairness to oil and gas drilling along the Beartooth Front. The zone document petitions the Carbon County Commission to set up a planning and zoning commission to oversee oil drilling in the Silvertip area. The petition, signed by more than 60% of the landowners in the area, requires that oil operators use “highest and best management practices” when drilling in the zone.
When: The petition is on the agenda for the regular meeting of the Carbon County Commission on Monday, August 18 at 10:30am. Please arrive by 10:00 to make sure you are in attendance when this agenda item begins.
- An oil truck near the well kicks up dust on passing cars
Where:The meeting will be held in the Carbon County Commissioners Hearing Room at 17 West 11th Street in Red Lodge.
Why: This is a critical step in our campaign to preserve the Beartooth Front. The citizen initiated zone restores fairness to oil and gas drilling. It is not a ban or a moratorium. It allows mineral rights holders to get their oil, but it protects the property rights and water of local residents in a way that state and federal law do not.
- Bonnie Martinell, an organic farmer from the Silvertip zone, will present at the meeting
The reason why we are asking you to attend is to show the County Commission that there is broad support for this effort in the community. The meeting is an opportunity for you to take action and make a difference in the fight to preserve the Beartooth Front.
If you are interested in carpooling:
Billings area: contact Alicia at alicia@northernplains.org or 248-1154
Stillwater County: contact Hannah at Hannah@northernplains.org or 248-1154
Coming up on Monday: Frequently Asked Questions about the Silvertip petition — everything you need to know about this part of the plan to preserve the Beartooth Front.
Background: you should read these posts.
Citizen initiated zoning: a way to restore fairness to oil and gas drilling in Montana
A visit to the front in the war against rural America
Preserve the Beartooth Front 
David,
If this strategy is successful, we’ll need to create a citizen initiated zone here around Roscoe, because everything I’ve read indicates that fracking has already started in or near the Mackay Ranch. John Brainard
John, I agree. The Stillwater Protection Agency is working on this strategy now. If you’re not a member I suggest you get involved.
P.S. My Mother and I are planning to go to the County Commission meeting Monday in Red Lodge !
Does anyone remember the geologist stating at the Political Public Forum….THIS AREA WILL NEVER BE ABLE TO BE USED FOR FRACKING>>>>>>or something to that effect. And yet…they have been for years…????? What IS the truth?
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