Missoula News

Political dynamite

Burns Moves to Stop New Drilling On Rocky Mountain Front

By Courtney Lowery, 6-27-06

Sen. Conrad Burns inserted language into the 2007 Interior Appropriations Bill today that would prevent all new oil and gas leases on federal land along the Rocky Mountain Front.

Stoney Burk, a Choteau-based attorney and a member of the Coalition to Protect the Rocky Mountain Front said quite simply, "I can say without hesitation that we're all very, very excited."

"This is extremely good news -- for us and for Montana," he said.

For some members of the coalition, this kind of protection is something they've worked for for nearly three decades.

Choteau taxidermist Roy Jacobs has been fighting for the Front since 1977. He looked over the language in the bill today and said "it's just the way you'd dream of."

Burns spokesman James Pendleton said the move had been in the senator's mind since he first met with the coalition in 2004. After the group mobilized to purchase several leases in the area but expressed concerns about possible re-issuance of the leases, Burns "felt since these private groups had done their part and put their money where their mouth is, he would introduce language to protect their efforts," reads a release from the senator's office.

A quote from Burns in the release says, "It’s clear this is a critical area for habitat, recreation, agriculture, and just to appreciate the majesty of Montana. This language will prevent any new leases from being approved, and help protect the area even further. I’ve heard from groups across the spectrum, agriculturalists, conservationists, recreation folks, Tribal leaders, community officials, not to mention the everyday Montanans who are concerned about this area. I think this strikes a common-sense balance that benefits all parties involved."

The language would prevent any new leases for oil, gas or hard-rock mining on the Lewis & Clark National Forest and surrounding Bureau of Land Management sections -- including the oft-mentioned Blackleaf Canyon and Badger Two-Medicine area. According to Burns' office, existing leases will stand but should they be sold, traded or donated they will not be open for re-leasing.

Bill Cunningham, a guidebook author who runs trips with his wife into the Front's backcountry had just come out of the Two-Medicine area today. When he got the news, he said his response was "one of absolute joy." He added, "Senator Burns deserves a lot of credit -- he's listening to the people of Montana."

The Interior Appropriations bill is still in its infancy -- needing approval from the full Interior Appropriations Committee (Burns is the chair of the subcommittee of that body), then on to the full Senate then back to a conference committee before going to both full houses.

While it's not a total victory for the coalition yet, Burk was hopeful, saying, "it's a step toward protecting a resource of immeasurable value."

Jacobs said in his work for the measure in D.C. and at home, he's seen broad support. "It's looking really good," he said.

Burns' move comes after the League of Conservation Voters released a joint announcement with the Montana Conservation Voters today endorsing Burns' Democratic challenger, Jon Tester, and listing Burns on its "Dirty Dozen" report (PDF) -- a list of the most "anti-conservation lawmakers" in D.C.

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