Bridger reaches agreement with landowner group

An agreement regarding easements has been reached with landowner group Pro Wyoming, according to Ken Dockweiler of Bridger Pipelines. The landowner group represents around 50 percent of the landowners along the route of the proposed new oil pipeline that will travel through Crook County.

Representatives from Pro Wyoming visited the county commissioners in October to explain their purpose: to ensure the best possible easement deal for everyone impacted by the installation of the line.

County Attorney Joe Baron praised the group’s intention to band together and hire one lawyer to negotiate on behalf of everyone, pointing out that it provides more negotiating power and improves the landowners’ chances of being heard.

According to Dockweiler, meetings have been held since that time between the entities and an agreement has been reached. This agreement will hopefully soon be put to paper, he said.

Regarding work on the new pipeline, says Dockweiler, installation will move from south to north, with the starting point in Guernsey. Beginning this month, work to clear the right-of-way will move north towards Crook County, said Dockweiler; if the weather proves agreeable, a second team will be added further up the line.