Environment
Oil companies to pay $1.3M in Wind River settlement


Three oil companies will pay $1.3 million to settle alleged violations of environmental laws on the Wind River Reservation in Wyoming.

BP America Production Co., CamWest, Inc. and CamWest Limited Partnership were accused of violating the Clean Water Act, Safe Drinking Water Act and Oil Pollution Act. Their drilling activities threatened the reservation water supply, tribal and federal officials said.

To correct the problems, the companies will pay $602,490 in penalties and another $724,956 to fund environmental improvements to reservation drinking water systems. The money will be used for new and upgraded equipment and to help fund a water treatment plant.

The Northern Arapaho Tribe and the Eastern Shoshone Tribe reside on the reservation.

Get the Story:
Oil companies ink $1.3 million settlement (The Casper Star-Tribune 6/7)
Settlement secures $1.32M in penalties, environmental projects on Wind River Reservation (EPA 6/6)

Relevant Links:
Eastern Shoshone Tribe - http://www.easternshoshone.net
Northern Arapaho Tribe - http://www.northernarapaho.com

Related Stories:
Wind River tribes expect $6.5M for winning trust case (04/20)
Supreme Court refuses Bush appeal of trust case (04/19)
Supreme Court to weigh appeal of trust lawsuit (04/07)