The Osage Minerals Council voted to assign Patterson, Earnhardt, Real Bird and Wilson LLP to assist the minerals council in writing oil and gas regulations for the Osage Mineral Estate. The motion, made by Councilwoman Susan Foreman and seconded by Councilman Paul Revard, passed 6-0 with Councilwoman Marsha Harlan absent from the vote.
This isn’t the first time the council planned to write its own oil and gas regulations.
Foreman said, “Some months ago we decided as a council, we all agreed that we would write our own regulations. We’ve attempted on several occasions to determine who would help us write those.”
The council informed the federal government it would write its own regulations. The council received a “scolding letter from Washington [D.C.]” after declining to participate in a consultation with the Department of Interior. Now, the council is standing up for its sovereign right to make decisions regarding the mineral estate.
“I think the fact that we would hire a law firm of that stature of the Patterson group, gives us a little bit more credibility to our statement that we’re writing our own [regulations],” Revard said. “Not only are we seven writing our own, but we’ve got this Washington D.C. qualified, recognized law firm helping us.”
“They need to realize we are a sovereign power here. We have our own ability to make our own laws. It’s in our constitution, and I feel like they’re just ignoring it,” said Councilman Talee Redcorn. “So, we need to continue making our stand.” Council members expressed that they don’t need a “nanny” watching over the council’s decisions.
