Following an inconclusive meeting with Bryan Newland, the Assistant Secretary of the Interior for Indian Affairs on the proposed new rules for oil and gas mining on the reservation, the Osage Minerals Council has decided to bypass Newland and go straight to his boss.
During a regular meeting of the OMC on July 19, Councilman Paul Revard made the motion following an executive session discussion.
“Our attorney has drafted a response to the Hon. Deb Haaland and the U.S. Department of Interior, dated July 19, 2023,” Revard said. “In reference to the BIA’s refusal to conduct reasonable and meaningful tribal consultation, I make a motion that we instruct Chairman Waller to sign this letter and for our legal counsel to transmit this letter by email and U.S. Postal Service to the Hon. Deb Haaland.”
The vote was unanimous with one absence by Councilwoman Melissa Currey.
Councilman Myron Red Eagle then made a motion to form a committee to work with the council’s general counsel on comments to the proposed rule, Colorado-based Patterson, Earnhart, Real Bird & Wilson PLLC.
The vote was unanimous with one absence by Councilwoman Melissa Currey.
The regulations governing oil and gas mining on the reservation, known as 25 C.F.R. Part 226, were introduced as a result of a $380 million trust mismanagement settlement to the Nation, which happened more than 12 years ago. The new rules were allegedly published into the Federal Register without warning on Jan. 13.
According to the DOI’s website, tribal consultations are a formal, two-way, government-to-government dialogue between official representatives of Tribes and Federal agencies to discuss Federal proposals before the Federal agency makes decisions on those proposals.
When tribal leaders met with Newland on June 27, Principal Chief Geoffrey Standing Bear made it known he would prefer the BIA let the Osage make their own rules.
Other issues discussed at the OMC’s regular meeting on July 19 were the need for more lease auctions, and the lack of information to oil and gas producers from the BIA.
The Osage News issued an open records request for a copy of the letter. Minerals Council Chairman Everett Waller did not respond to requests for comment.
To watch the meeting, visit the OMC’s YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/live/tsnDJZG74UI?feature=share
