Both the Rocky Mountain Front and the Badger-Two Medicine lands to the north are integral extensions of the core wilderness complex. Under pending proposals for oil and gas leasing, wealthy multi-national corporations are looking to extensively develop ecologically important areas of our wildlands for what is, in the final analysis, an infinitesimal chance of short-term profits. Their exploitative efforts, if pursued much further, would inevitably entail additional human development of an unpredictable scope and nature, resulting with the imperilment of the already precarious integrity of these wildlands.

Yet, until recently, the "Front" remained legally unprotected, and therefore subject to the seemingly insatiable thirst of these multi-national corporations. Thankfully, the Forest Service has stepped forward to protect the "Front" from such such egregious development. In a bold move, Gloria Flora, former Lewis and Clark National Forest Supervisor, has administratively closed substantial portions of the Lewis and Clark National Forest from oil and gas development for the next 15 years.

However, this decision will not effect 42% of the Forest, rendering the remaining portion vulnerable to oil and gas exploration. This is an important point. Because the Front actually encompasses a relatively thin but essential stretch of the Bob Marshall ecosystem, any significant environmental impact from oil and gas development (i.e. oil or gas well blow-out) along the Front would likely disrupt the ecological integrity of the this unique ecosystem. If the northern and southern portions were separated by an area of significant environmental impact, many of the our Nation's rarest and most unique animals would no longer be able to use the Front in migrating on a seasonal basis.

Recognizing the incredible importance of protecting the Front, Forest Service Chief Mike Dombeck has more recently placed a two year moritorium on mineral development along the Front affecting all National Forest lands not presently under on-going mining claims. Here again, the Forest Service is taking strong steps toward protecting the Front.

We are asking all readers to support the Forest Service in its efforts to protect the Front on an interim basis. However, we are further asking that you check out our web-page on the Northern Rockies Ecosystem Protection Act (NREPA). This bill has been introduced in Congress and would, among other things, permanently protect the entire Rocky Mountain Front as Wilderness.

Additional suggested reading:

Wright, John. Where the Mountains Meet the Plains: Oil and Gas Leasing and the Conservation Legacy of the Rocky Mountain Front, a paper prepared for the Montana Wilderness Association. September 1995.

Yetter, Bob. Badger-Two Medicine, The Last Stronghold: Sacred Land of the Grizzly, Wolf, and Blackfeet Indian. 1992.

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Alliance for the Wild Rockies
PO Box 8731 • Missoula, Montana • 59807
Phone: 406-721-5420 • Fax: 406-721-9917
E-mail: awr@wildrockies.org

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