Interior Department Cancels Remaining Oil and Gas Leases in Montana’s Badger-Two Medicine Area

Action Represents Significant Milestone in Protecting Area from Impacts of Energy Development

01/10/2017
Last edited 09/29/2021

Date: January 10, 2017
Contacts:  Interior_Press@ios.doi.gov
Kimberly Brubeck, kbrubeck@blm.gov, 202-208-5832

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of the Interior today announced the Bureau of Land Management has canceled the final two oil and gas leases in the Badger-Two Medicine area within the Lewis and Clark National Forest in Northwest Montana. The two lease cancellations address outstanding concerns about the potential for oil and gas development in this culturally and ecologically important area.

“We are proud to have worked alongside the Blackfeet Nation and the U.S. Forest Service throughout this process to roll back decades-old leases and reinforce the importance of developing resources in the right way and the right places.” said Secretary Jewell. “The cancellation of the final two leases in the rich cultural and natural Badger-Two Medicine Area will ensure it is protected for future generations.” 

The BLM notified J.G. Kluthe Trust of Nebraska and W.A. Moncrief Jr. of Texas of the cancellations of the final two leases in the area. The lease cancellations occur after thirty years of administrative, legal and legislative actions and reflect the historical and cultural significance of the area to the Blackfeet Tribe and concerns regarding leasing issuance.

The Badger-Two Medicine is a 130,000 acre area, bounded by Glacier National Park, the Bob Marshall Wilderness, and the Blackfeet Indian Reservation. This portion of the Rocky Mountain Front is considered sacred by the Blackfeet Tribe, and is part of a Traditional Cultural District. These characteristics caused Congress to legislatively withdraw the area from mineral development in 2006.

The leases being canceled today were issued in the 1980s and have not had any drilling in the area since issuance. 

The cancellation respects recommendations by the U.S. Forest Service, the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation, and concerns expressed by the Blackfeet Tribe and interested members of the public. In 2016, Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell announced the cancellation of  16 leases in the area. The leases were held by Solenex LLC and Devon Energy.

  • Press Release
    Winter view of oil and gas production in Alaska
    05/15/2026

    Interior Begins Process to Streamline Permitting in the National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska

    Today, Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum announced the start of a new effort to streamline permitting for oil and gas infrastructure in the approximately 23-million-acre National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska. The effort comes in response to a petition for rulemaking from the Alaska Oil and Gas Association that requested the Bureau of Land Management amend its regulations to create a new development permit program in the petroleum reserve.

    Read more
  • Press Release
    Highway stretching toward tall rocky mountains with pine trees lining both sides under a blue sky
    05/06/2026

    Interior Transfers 1.4 Million Acres in Dalton Utility Corridor to State of Alaska

    Alaska – Today, the Department of the Interior announced a major Alaska statehood land transfer to convey approximately 1.4 million acres of land along the Dalton Utility Corridor to the State of Alaska. With conveyance of these lands north of the Yukon River, the Bureau of Land Management has fulfilled more than 96% of the state’s entitlement under the Alaska Statehood Act, expanding Alaska’s opportunities for resource development, strengthening local economies, and enhancing the state’s control of its own economic destiny.

    Read more

Was this page helpful?

Please provide a comment