Meeting Held To Discuss Potential Pipeline

Fallon County Commissioner says landowners were receptive to negotiating with pipeline officials

Apr. 2, 2026 at 5:05pm

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A meeting was held in Bainville, Montana to discuss the proposed Bridger Pipeline, a 645-mile long pipeline that would transport 550,000 barrels of Canadian oil daily from Montana to Wyoming. The meeting, attended by about 50 individuals, was organized by the PRO-Montana group to address how landowners can work and negotiate with pipeline officials regarding easements and payments.

Why it matters

The proposed Bridger Pipeline would traverse a significant portion of Montana, potentially impacting landowners along the route. The meeting aimed to ensure that landowners are informed and empowered to negotiate the best possible terms with the pipeline company.

The details

The meeting was organized by the PRO-Montana group, which seeks to put landowners in the best position regarding easements and to receive the best possible payment. Fallon County Commissioner Kevin Braun, a member of PRO-Montana, said the meeting went well and he didn't hear much negative feedback from landowners. The proposed 36-inch pipeline would start north of Malta, run above the Fort Peck Indian Reservation, and then head south along the Montana-North Dakota border until ending in Guernsey, Wyoming.

  • The meeting was held earlier this month in Bainville, Montana.
  • Bridger Pipeline of Casper, Wyoming filed its plans with the Montana Department of Environmental Quality in February 2026.
  • If Bridger receives the required regulatory approvals, the plan is for construction to begin in July 2027.

The players

Kevin Braun

Fallon County Commissioner and member of the PRO-Montana group.

Bridger Pipeline

A pipeline company based in Casper, Wyoming that has filed plans for the proposed 645-mile pipeline.

PRO-Montana

A group that seeks to put landowners in the best position regarding easements and to receive the best possible payment from pipeline companies.

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What they’re saying

“The meeting went really well”

— Kevin Braun, Fallon County Commissioner

“I didn't hear much negatively”

— Kevin Braun, Fallon County Commissioner

What’s next

If Bridger Pipeline receives the required regulatory approvals, construction on the proposed pipeline is planned to begin in July 2027.

The takeaway

This meeting highlights the importance of open communication and negotiation between pipeline companies and local landowners to ensure fair terms and protect the interests of the community. The PRO-Montana group's efforts to empower landowners demonstrate a proactive approach to managing the potential impact of large-scale infrastructure projects.