Jurisdictional issues raised in an appeal by Missoula-based
Alliance for the Wild Rockies and the Badger Chapter of the
Two Medicine Alliance have halted exploratory drilling in the
Badger-Two Medicine roadless area for at least another year.
Citing the Onshore Leasing Reform Act of 1987, the
appeal raised the question of whether the forest Service or
the Bureau of Land Management has responsibility for
evaluating the environmental effects of Fina's proposed oil
and gas well. The Forest Service had previously claimed
jurisdiction.
The Badger-Two Medicine, bounded by Glacier park, the
Bob Marshall Wilderness Area and the Blackfeet Indian
Reservation is one the most environmentally sensitive areas
in the country. the opportunity to preserve the Badger-Two
Medicine, sacred to the Blackfeet people, for now remains
intact.
Friends of the Wild Swan
Box 103
Swan Lake, MT 59911
via The Wild Rockies News Service