Montana, with its sprawling Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem and the rugged terrains of the Upper Missouri River Breaks, is a collage of diverse ecosystems and abundant wildlife. These public lands are not just scenic; they are the lifeblood of our communities, driving our outdoor recreation businesses and shaping our way of life.
However, for years, these pristine landscapes have been under threat. Oil and gas companies that have capitalized on an antiquated federal leasing program have left an indelible mark on our communities. The repercussions are not just environmental; they have rippled through our health, well-being, and local economies.
Fortunately, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has proposed reforms to this flawed program. These changes will benefit taxpayers and enhance our communities’ access to public lands. These reforms could lead to improved land management. By curbing oil and gas leasing in low potential areas, we can channel our energies towards addressing and mitigating environmental issues in these areas.
If passed, the rule would incentivize companies to complete their drilling projects and strengthen regulations for responsible development, addressing long standing issues in the federal program of speculative leasing and of wells being frequently abandoned.
Taxpayers First: Ensuring Fair Returns and Accountability
The BLM’s reforms are not just about conservation; the proposed rule also ensures oil and gas companies bear the clean-up costs, addressing the problem of abandoned wells that harm our environment.
With property taxes in Montana witnessing unprecedented hikes, it’s high time we ensure that oil and gas companies are held accountable for their actions. The proposed changes advocate for reasonable bonding rates, putting the onus on these corporations to clean up after their operations. This is a significant shift from the current scenario, where taxpayers often bear the brunt of environmental clean-ups for abandoned wells that pollute our lands and waters.
The reforms also aim to update royalty and rental rates, guaranteeing that Montanans receive what’s rightfully theirs. These proposed leasing reforms would enact the reforms proposed in a 2021 report and codify provisions passed by Congress from the Inflation Reduction Act to protect wildlife, make taxpayers whole, and address the climate crisis.
A Resounding Yes from Montanans
The overwhelming support for the BLM’s reforms is a testament to Montanans’ love for their land and a shared vision for its future. Recent polls have shown that a staggering 96% of Montana voters are in favor of making oil and gas companies financially responsible for post-development clean-up and restoration. This sentiment was further echoed during the BLM’s comment period, where over 260,000 individuals, many of them Montanans, voiced their opinions, with a whopping 99% in favor of the proposed changes.
The current BLM Dillon field office Resource Management Plan (RMP) identified that about 1.2 million acres, or 86%, of the eligible lands in Montana, have low or very low energy development potential. For decades, oil and gas companies have had the opportunity to lease this land through speculative leasing practices, diverting critical conservation resources for wildlife habitat. Speculative leasing, coupled with harmful development, has posed an existential threat to this fragile ecosystem and the residents and businesses that call it home
In the last decade alone, nearly 220,000 acres of Montana’s public lands were leased noncompetitively, including in crucial big game habitat and priority habitat for greater sage-grouse. Noncompetitive leasing took all those public lands off the table for other uses while generating nothing for taxpayers, but thankfully the BLM’s proposed reforms will eliminate the antiquated practice of noncompetitive leasing.
Looking Ahead
The ball is now in the BLM’s court. By expediting the finalization and implementation of these reforms, the agency has an opportunity to rewrite the future of Montana’s public lands. It’s time we manage our lands to celebrate all of Montana’s natural treasures – be it wildlife, hunting, fishing, or outdoor recreation – and not limit them to just oil and gas.
