On Friday, July 1, 2011, the Silvertip Pipeline, owned by ExxonMobil Pipeline Co., which crosses under the Yellowstone River near Laurel, Montana, (approximately 15 miles upstream from Billings) breached, causing approximately 42,000 gallons of light, sweet crude oil to be released into the Yellowstone River before the pipe was shut down.
Injury to natural resources include:
- Fish and fish habitat
- Migratory birds
- American White Pelican, a State species of concern, owls and other cavity nesting birds, and bird habitat
- Large woody debris piles that play an important role in channel morphological processes and aquatic and riparian habitat formation
- Loss of fishing and recreational uses