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Meade County, SD - STOP Proposed Legal Action to Restore Oil Drilling Near Bear Butte
  1. Signatures
    892 out of 10,000
    Petitioning
    1. The President of the United States (+ 10 others)
      Petitioning
      close
      • The President of the United States
      • The Governor of SD
      • The SD State Senate
      • The SD State House
      • Deputy States Attorney (Ken Chleborad)
      • Meade County Commissioners (Gary Cammack)
      • Meade County Commissioners (Doreen Creed)
      • Meade County Commissioners (Linda Rausch)
      • Meade County Commissioners (Alan Aker (Chairman))
      • Meade County Commissioners (Robert Heidgerken)
      • Meade County Commissioners (Human Resource Director / Commission Assistant)
  2. Created By
    Tamra Brennan
    Black Hills, SD
About this Petition Petition Letter Petition Updates

 Bear Butte is located within Meade County, in the Black Hills of South Dakota. Bear Butte is a sacred site to the Plains Tribes in addition to holding four National Historic Designations. Bear Butte is sacred land and comparable to Mt. Sinai or the Vatican.

The South Dakota State Board of Minerals and Environment in November approved oil drilling permits allowing Nakota Energy LLC to drill up to 24 wells in a 960-acre field for the production of oil and gas within 1.5 miles of Bear Butte, a sacred site and National Historical Landmark.
 
The South Dakota State Board of Minerals and Environment failed to comply with required regulations regarding consultation with the South Dakota State Historical Society, due to Bear Butte being a National Historical Landmark and oil drilling would occur within the boundaries. This failure to comply forced the State to re-open public notification and hearings.
 
On May 18, 2011 South Dakota State Board of Minerals and Environment choose to revoke the original permits, cutting the number of oil wells allowed from 24 to 5 based upon public testimony and recommendations made by South Dakota State Historical Society. 
 
Meade County Commissioners announced on May 24, 2011 they are exploring legal action to revoke the recent decision on May 18th. The basis of Meade County's potential legal action is "a violation of property rights" 
 
Meade County Commissioners Chairman, Alan Aker was quoted in today's news press article in Rapid City Journal stating: “The fact that the board granted the permits before there was a Bear Butte issue and is now more restrictive, really tells you there was no other reason for their action than Bear Butte,” Aker said. “I’d hate to see the precedent started that proximity to Bear Butte means you have diminished property rights.”
 
Meade County has continually violated the sacredness of Bear Butte with their continued actions for the past six years, all in the name of greed. Meade County has no zoning ordinances to regulate property owners.

The struggle to protect the serenity of Bear Butte from continual encroachment has ultimately developed into a religious freedom vs property rights issue.
 
We are asking for your support in signing our petition requesting Meade County to cease and desist from further action on the Bear Butte oil drilling issue.

For more information about the ongoing struggles to Protect Bear Butte, please visit our website at www.protectbearbutte.com .
 
Thank you for your support!

 

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Meade County, SD - STOP Proposed Legal Action to Restore Oil Drilling Near Bear Butte

Greetings,

It was announced today that Meade County Commissioners will be exploring legal action to stop the recent decision on May 18, 2011 made by The South Dakota State Board of Minerals and Environment Board in regards to the oil drilling near Bear Butte.

Meade County has no jurisdiction in this manner due to the fact State supersedes County. Meade County is wasting tax payer dollars on an issue that is out of your jurisdiction.

The South Dakota State Board of Minerals and Environment complied with recommendations from the South Dakota State Historical Society and public testimony, due to the fact Bear Butte has four National Historic Designations and is protected under this jurisdiction.

•National Historical Landmark, listed on December 21, 1981
•National Historical Places, listed on June 19, 1973
•National Natural Landmark, listed on April 1965
•Registered National Trail (Bear Butte Summit Trail), listed on June 1,1971

Commissioner, Chairman Aker's statements about this violating property rights, shows the lack of knowledge on this issue the Commissioners still have today.

The South Dakota State Board of Minerals and Environment failed to comply with required regulations of consultation with South Dakota State Historical Society, due to the fact the they approved permits for oil drilling within the boundaries of the Historical Landmark, which is protected by law.

Your continued violations towards the sacredness of Bear Butte are appalling. As a County Commission your interest should be in the protection and preservation of our natural and historical landmarks. Not continually violating due to the greed of the property owners and apparent dis-concern from Meade County.

We are hereby respectfully requesting you stop any and all further legal action at your June 7th & 8th board meeting, in regards to the oil drilling decision made on May 18th by The South Dakota State Board of Minerals and Environment.

Protect Bear Butte!

Thank you for your time and consideration in this matter.

[Your name]

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