EPA Shuts Down Disposal Wells On Osage Tribal Land After Pawnee Earthquake

The federal government is now taking action in response to Saturday's big earthquake.

The EPA confirmed Wednesday that, acting on the authority of the Safe Drinking Water Act, it is mandating the shut in of 17 wastewater disposal wells on Osage Nation land. 

Saturday's record breaking earthquake was centered just north of Pawnee and less than 30 miles away is the Osage Tribal Nation. 

“Economically, it’s going to be devastating,” said Everett Waller, the Osage Nation Minerals Council chair.

The tribe holds the mineral rights to the land.

Still, Waller said they believe the quick action by the EPA was the right move.

“All these folks look at it like we have to do something … the Osage feel like we have to give them the benefit of the doubt,” he said.

In a statement, the EPA said they are committed to coordinating closely with officials from the Osage Nation.

But Waller said he’s concerned they haven't heard any details from the agency including location and volume of the wells and the criteria for shutting them down.

“The communication just needed to be better, we’ve got to know more when it affects us directly,” said Waller.  

The 17 wells on Osage Nation land is in addition to 37 the state Corporation Commission mandated be shut in.

However, the disposal wells on tribal land are different because they don't bring wastewater in from out of state, Waller said.  

The wastewater injected is solely from producing wells on tribal property.

Another member of the council said she doesn’t believe it’s feasible to truck the wastewater to another area. Cynthia Boone, of the Osage Nation Minerals Council, said the EPA mandate puts an undue burden on oil producers.

Waller said he hopes to get exact numbers from the EPA Wednesday night. Once they get them, he said the council will decide how to move forward and will try to work with the EPA the best they can.

“We have friends and family in Pawnee. This effected everyone emotionally more than you could ever think about,” Waller said. 

According to the EPA, some of those 17 wells have already shut down operations.