MISSOULA, Mont. – Backcountry Hunters & Anglers today praised an announcement by the U.S. Department of the Interior that one of the last remaining oil-and-gas drilling leases in the Badger-Two Medicine area of the Lewis & Clark National Forest will be cancelled. The region lies between the Bob Marshall Wilderness and Glacier National Park.
BHA board member Ryan Busse, a Kalispell resident, issued the following statement:
“The Badger-Two Medicine ranks high among Montana’s most beautiful and treasured backcountry habitat for big game and native trout. My family joins the chorus of Montana families thanking Senator Tester, the Blackfeet Tribe and agency officials who recognize just how unique the Badger-Two Medicine is. Some places are just too special to drill. The Badger-Two Medicine is one of those places.”
John Sullivan, chair of BHA’s Montana chapter, stressed the importance of today’s announcement to backcountry sportsmen:
“Montana sportsmen should celebrate today’s decision – and acknowledge the foresighted actions of many, including Senator Tester, the Interior Department and the Blackfeet Tribe, for their continued commitment to conserve some of the finest backcountry big game habitat and native fisheries in the Treasure State.”