The Circuit Court of Appeals in D.C. issued a major victory for the Badger-Two Medicine today when it canceled the final oil and gas lease in the Badger-Two Medicine. The lease, held by Solenex, has been at the epicenter of our 35 year struggle to defend these lands from oil and gas development.
Glacier-Two Medicine Alliance issued the following press statement on the court ruling:
“Glacier-Two Medicine Alliance is thrilled with today’s court ruling that canceled the final oil and gas lease in the Badger-Two Medicine. We have argued for 35 years that this lease was illegally issued and would irreparably harm the wildlife and wildlands of the Badger-Two Medicine and today the court agreed! This is a great victory for the future of this wild country, for the Blackfeet Nation who consider this sacred ground, and for all people who cherish this amazing place.
While we celebrate this ruling, it is not the complete victory we had sought as the court left open the potential for further legal proceedings. The prospect of future uncertainty only reaffirms the need to permanently protect this area through an act of Congress so our fish and wildlife can continue to thrive here, so the Blackfeet people can continue to practice their culture here, and so all our children can continue to hunt, hike, or otherwise enjoy this special place. We look forward to continuing to work with the Blackfeet Nation and other friends and allies to see this vision become reality.”
Glacier-Two Medicine Alliance will provide you a more extensive analysis on the implications of the ruling in the coming days. But today, we celebrate!
An initial press story can be found here: