Commissioner says Blackfeet group opposes injecting industrial wastewater into Class II well near Weir

A commissioner reported at the Jan. 15 Pondera County Commission meeting that the Blackfeet Bridal Council does not support injecting industrial wastewater into a Class II injection well southwest of Weir and that county officials will seek to contact tribal representatives and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

The commissioner said they attended a meeting with the Blackfeet Bridal Council on Monday, accompanied by Peter Metcalf, and described the council as “really supportive of the ag business and renewable energy, but ... we do not like the injection of industrial wastewater.” The commissioner said they would seek the group’s support and planned to make contact with tribal representatives and the EPA.

Commission discussion during the meeting was brief and focused on next steps for outreach; no formal motion or vote on the injection-well topic was recorded on the meeting agenda. The transcript records expressions of concern and an intention to request outside contacts, but it does not record any directive for staff to take regulatory action or any formal referral to an agency.

The county did not provide technical or regulatory details about the proposed injection activity during the meeting, including the project proponent, the exact location beyond “southwest of Weir,” permit status, or a timetable. The transcript also does not specify whether the Blackfeet group named in the remarks is formally representing the Blackfeet Nation or another body; the meeting speaker used the phrase “Blackfeet Bridal Council.”

County officials indicated only that they will try to make contact with representatives and the EPA; no binding commitment or formal oversight action was taken during the meeting.