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Forest Service blocks leasing in Montana national forest

Sept. 29, 1997

The U.S. Forest Service has decided against oil and gas exploration in most of the Lewis and Clark National Forest in Montana. Forest Supervisor Gloria Flora decided not to allow drilling along the Rocky Mountain front range from the southern tip of Glacier National Park nearly to Helena. A draft environmental impact statement issued last year had offered Flora the option to allow leasing in three small areas of the front range, with tight drilling restrictions.

The U.S. Forest Service has decided against oil and gas exploration in most of the Lewis and Clark National Forest in Montana.

Forest Supervisor Gloria Flora decided not to allow drilling along the Rocky Mountain front range from the southern tip of Glacier National Park nearly to Helena.

A draft environmental impact statement issued last year had offered Flora the option to allow leasing in three small areas of the front range, with tight drilling restrictions.

Leases totaling 114,193 acres in the Badger-Two Medicine area and 7,735 acres in the Blackleaf area had been suspended pending the decision, and they will have 3-7 years remaining on their 10-year terms.

The management plan will allow exploration on 892,000 acres in the Jefferson District of the forest, which spans some smaller mountain ranges east of the front.

The Forest Service said its decision does not preclude future leasing along the front but only withdraws the frontal area from consideration for 10-15 years.

It said the decision process considered "the high potential for the occurrence of hydrocarbons and the possible economic benefits that development of such resources could bring."

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Gail Abercrombie, the Montana Petroleum Association's executive director, said she did not know whether oil companies would appeal the decision.

She said, "It is unfortunate that the decision closes off Forest Service lands on the front that have such great potential for natural gas production. The industry is skilled in operating in sensitive areas. Any impacts would be minuscule, and the benefits would be great.

"We know that there is the potential on the front for one or more gas fields with the production capacity of Waterton field in Canada. The revenues to the state and schools over the life of such a field would be in excess of $1 billion."

Sen. Max Baucus (D-Mont.) has tried to include the Rocky Mountain front in wilderness protection bills.

He said, "The Rocky Mountain front is a special place for all of us. Its value goes well beyond that of any oil or minerals we could extract from its soil. This decision protects the front for our children and grandchildren."