Hunters, Anglers, Businesses and FWP Oppose Drilling Near Beaverhead River

Two dozen hunting and angling groups and business representing thousands of Montana sportsmen, sportswomen and outdoor interests sent a letter of protest March 23, 2007 to the Bureau of Land Management in Montana declaring that the plan to lease 27,000 acres along the Beaverhead River for oil and gas drilling would result in lost fishing and hunting quality and opportunity in a region where outdoor recreation is economically vital.

The groups, including Trout Unlimited and Montana Wildlife Federation among 22 others, cite failure to communicate with sportsmen and Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks with new and updated information important to fish and wildlife as one reason for opposition. In addition, the letter points out that the BLM is ignoring dominant uses of the public land in the Beaverhead drainage--fish and wildlife. The river itself is one of the most-prized trout fisheries in the nation--the immediate area is a prized destination for big game hunters and some of the proposed leases are in prime sage grouse country.

"In a region of Montana heralded for its fabulous trout fishing, the Beaverhead River ranks among the top 10 most popular rivers to fish, with nearly 27,000 fishing days spent on it in 2003," the letter reads. "These anglers don't hire guides, buy gear in fly shops, eat at restaurants, stay at motels, and spend their hard-earned money and vacation time to fish amongst wells, pads, pipelines, heavy machinery, industrial noise and wastewater ponds."

At the very least, the groups claim, the BLM should first determine the risks to fish and wildlife in the drainage before advancing lease sales. The group letter was submitted the same day that state wildlife officials, Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks also protested the auction due to inadequate analysis on the impacts to fish and wildlife. FWP said that the agency needs to first conduct comprehensive fish and wildlife research before putting these areas on the block. Once it's leased--it's out there for development and development could undercut more than 100 years worth of conservation in the area.

"Some places are just too valuable to sacrifice to the drill bit," said Tim Tollett, owner of Frontier Anglers in Dillon. "The Beaverhead is a cathedral for thousands of anglers all over the country. Drilling here would be an affront to those who value this place. It's just too much to give up. This river is my livelihood and the economic lifeblood of this region. Without it, the quality of life in this valley would be greatly diminished, and the opportunity for future sportsmen to enjoy this place will be all but eliminated."

"You don't take out a loan before you know if you can afford the payments, but that’s exactly what’s happening here--the BLM is selling energy leases without knowing if it can take care of fish, wildlife, hunting and fishing at the same time," said Michael Gibson of Montana Trout Unlimited. "We need to know how toxic wastewater, pipelines, new roads, and other industrial infrastructure from this development are going to affect our hunting and fishing before we even consider leasing. If the BLM sells those leases now, oil and gas companies will have a trump card over our fish and wildlife resources."

"This is not about how Montana can help meet America's energy needs or necessarily a ban on drilling but where it is appropriate and how we can simultaneously take care of Montana's outdoor legacy," said Craig Sharpe, MWF executive director. Sharpe said that sportsmen and sportswomen understand the need to develop oil and gas, "but here--a landscape that supports a tremendously rich ecosystem and world renowned blue ribbon trout fishery--there is simply too much at stake."