Energy company announces it's relinquishing Badger-Two Medicine leases

An Oklahoma-based energy company Wednesday announced it was voluntarily relinquishing 22,900 acres of oil and gas leases in the Badger-Two Medicine region, south of Glacier National Park.

The Badger-Two Medicine is a 130,000-acre wildland south of Marias Pass on the Lewis and Clark National Forest. It is known for its elk herd and is prime grizzly bear habitat. The Blackfeet Tribe consider the ground sacred.

Devon Energy will relinquish 15 leases in the region. Cancellation of the leases entitles Devon to a refund for all rents and bonus bids paid – about $200,000, the Department of Interior said in a press release.

The announcement was made this morning in Washington, D.C. when U.S. Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell joined Montana Sen. Jon Tester, Blackfeet Nation Chairman Harry Barnes and Devon Energy Corporation President and CEO David Hager in a press conference.

“Today’s action honors the Badger-Two Medicine Area’s rich cultural and natural resources and will ensure it is protected for future generations,” Jewell said. “We are proud to have worked alongside the Blackfeet Nation, U.S. Forest Service and Devon Energy to achieve this important milestone, rolling back decades-old leases and reinforcing the importance of developing resources in the right ways and the right places.”

Tester had similar sentiments.

“There are special places in this world where we just shouldn’t drill, and the Badger-Two Medicine is one of those places. This region carries great cultural and historical significance to the Blackfeet Tribe and today’s announcement will ensure that the Badger-Two Medicine will remain pristine for both the Tribe and the folks who love to hunt, hike, and fish near Glacier Park and the Bob Marshall Wilderness,” said Tester said.

In a conference call with reporters afterward, Tester said the deal wasn’t prompted by the impending presidency of Donald Trump.

He said the deal had been in the works for months.

“This is just the right thing to do,” he said.

He noted it was “an incredible landscape for wild game.”

The announcement does not resolve about 3,000 acres of leases held near Hall Creek owned by the Solonex Corp. Solonex continues to fight the Department of Interior in federal court to do exploratory drilling there. The DOI cancelled Solonex’s leases earlier this year, but Solonex is challenging that move.

Hall Creek is on the east end of the Badger, in an area with rolling grassy hills and dense forest.

“Our pursuit to protect the Badger-Two Medicine has lasted more than three decades, and it will continue until all the illegal oil and gas leases are canceled and the area is permanently protected,” Barnes said. “This area is sacred to the Blackfeet people, and we appreciate that others are starting to recognize it as well. There are many who have helped us get to this point today, but I want to especially recognize Devon Energy for its leadership and willingness to partner with Indian Country.”

Tester gave kudos to Hager.

“Devon Energy deserves a lot of credit and many, many thanks,” he said.