82-11-185. Makoshika state park requirements. - Montana Statutes

     82-11-185. (Effective on occurrence of contingency) Makoshika state park requirements. (1) Except as provided in subsection (3), on lands managed as Makoshika state park pursuant to Title 23, chapter 1, and under the control of the department of fish, wildlife, and parks by grant, acquisition, lease, easement, or other means, a person may not:
     (a) drill, construct, convert, or operate an oil or gas well, stratigraphic test well, or core hole;
     (b) conduct vibroseis, drill a seismic shot hole, or set a surface charge;
     (c) explore for oil or gas in a manner that damages the land surface; or
     (d) construct or place any surface facility associated with oil or gas exploration or development.
     (2) The prohibitions in subsection (1) do not preclude the development of geologic storage reservoirs or of oil or gas resources from beneath Makoshika state park through directional drilling or access from property outside the boundaries of the state park provided that the surface resources of the state park are not disturbed.
     (3) The prohibitions listed in subsection (1) do not apply to geologic storage reservoirs or to oil or gas resources within Makoshika state park that are owned by a private person, nor do the prohibitions apply to school trust lands within the boundaries of the park. The state acknowledges the mineral rights of Dawson County and the state school trust and the private property rights of persons owning private mineral rights within Makoshika state park. The department of fish, wildlife, and parks is directed to conduct negotiations with the owners of mineral rights within Makoshika state park with the purpose of acquiring those rights in the name of the state.

     History: En. Sec. 6, Ch. 474, L. 2009.