Projects and Issues
Oil and Gas Leasing in Southwestern Montana
While the current statistic of 1.3% of all state lands leased being developed is often thrown about freely, that does not take into consideration the current energy crisis and the overwhelming desire to get as much land as possible locked up before administrations and energy policies change in our nation's capitol. MWF is working to make sure that any development in southwestern Montana is done in balance with the amazing fish and wildlife resource that hunters, anglers, landowners and wildlife enthusiasts have worked so hard to restore. There are places where development can take place; there are places where development should not occur.
The Shields and Middle Yellowstone Valleys are receiving an enormous amount of attention from companies such as Devon Petroleum out of Oklahoma. In a recent article in the Livingston Enterprise, a Devon official was quoted as saying "Lets hope Livingston is ready for the Wildcatters." Given the way that the populations of southwestern Wyoming have grown, along with the associated drug and wildlife problems, we certainly hope so as well. MWF will continue to work with the DNRC and the State Land Board in an effort to increase mitigation requirements, and wildlife stipulations so that we can have both - development and sustainable wildlife, wildlife habitats, and public hunting and fishing opportunities. |
Over 30,000 acres in Madison County, many just south of the confluence of the Beaverhead and Ruby Rivers identified in the small numbered squares-- are up for lease. The area known as the east bench, which is immediately south of the town of Twin Bridges, is a long, narrow bench that supports diverse wildlife populations, agricultural operations and public hunting for whitetail, mule deer and upland game birds. Perhaps even more important than the abundant terrestrial wildlife is the riverine system that surrounds this area. Two of Montana's premier 'Blue Ribbon' trout streams, the Beaverhead and the Ruby, flank the proposed lease sale just south of Twin Bridges. Maintaining habitat functionality of this area should be as much of a concern to the State of Montana as it is to MWF. Currently, the stipulations placed on these parcels only meet the minimum requirements to ensure that some of the habitat would be protected. This area includes incredibly sensitive wild land habitats, and riparian areas and water quality is a major concern. Drilling for oil and gas without more strict guidelines, including No Surface Occupancy for wells within the confluence zone that have direct drainages into the rivers, and not properly timing the stipulations for both wildlife, hunters and anglers could be a disaster for the wildlife resource, hunters and anglers and the local businesses that rely on sportsmen and sportswomen revenues. |
From Big Timber and Livingston to Lima and Dillon, up to Twin Bridges and Wisdom, there's a renewed interest in what lays beneath some of Montana's most fertile wildlife habitat. In southwestern Montana oil and gas leasing of state lands has exploded in the last six months due in large part to speculation. While exploration and leasing in the past have occurred in this pastoral part of Montana, the threat today is to open up some crucial wildlife habitats to industrialization with little planning. 
