October 2, 2004 (Choteau, MT) - On a nationally televised PBS special on “Now with Bill Moyers” broadcast Friday, Oct. 1, co-host David Brancaccio reported that the Department of Interior said it would not approve drilling for natural gas along Montana’s Rocky Mountain Front.
The statement by Brancaccio came after a 15-minute report on the controversy surrounding drilling on the Front highlighting the opposition to drilling by former Lewis and Clark National Forest Supervisor Gloria Flora. Brancaccio’s statement following the produced segment was read live and said:
“As this story went to air tonight, we got word of a big victory for Gloria Flora and the thousands of people who wrote to save the Blindhorse area.
“Interior Department officials contacted us to say that due to the complexity of the issue and after the evaluation of the public comment, they have decided not to approve drilling in that area, at least for now.
“Gloria Flora says she’s delighted, but there are two dozen other leases nearby and more than 44,000 leases throughout the Rocky Mountains. Already this year, the government has given the green light for drilling in thousands of those sites.”
Although details of this announcement are needed, members of the Coalition for the Rocky Mountain Front applaud the Interior Department’s decision to halt drilling on the Front.
“We welcome this decision by the Department of Interior because it recognizes and respects the great wildlife and natural values along Montana’s Rocky Mountain Front. The decision also helps protect the rich conservation and ranching heritage along the Front,” said rancher Karl Rappold.
But this action alone does not protect the Front.
“It is now time for Congress to act to protect these lands and fairly compensate leaseholders by offering a buyout or trade out for existing leases. This should be a top priority for the Montana Congressional delegation so that we can put this threat to rest once and for all,” said Gloria Flora.
“We need to achieve permanent protection for the Front, and moving toward extinguishing the existing oil and gas leases on public lands through a buyout or trade out is the important next step,” said Gene Sentz, a school teacher from Choteau.
"There are responsible ways, and appropriate places to drill for natural gas, but drilling in the Rocky Mountain Front is neither responsible nor appropriate. We're glad the Department of Interior and BLM listened to the public, and recognize the tremendous value of the Front for fish, wildlife and hunters and anglers. I hope they will now pursue policies that will provide some sort of permanent protection for this area, so we don't have to keep fighting the same battle over and over,” said David Stallings from Trout Unlimited.
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