So far just one place has been saved from all the gas development in the West. It’s the Rocky Mountain Front in Montana.
Story in the Great Falls Tribune. Rocky Mountain Front lease agreement starts something good.
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Here is the earlier story from Dec. 10, 2006. Rocky Mountain Front (MT) finally protected from oil and gas in massive catch-all bill
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Ralph Maughan
Dr. Ralph Maughan is professor emeritus of political science at Idaho State University. He was a Western Watersheds Project Board Member off and on for many years, and was also its President for several years. For a long time he produced Ralph Maughan's Wolf Report. He was a founder of the Greater Yellowstone Coalition. He and Jackie Johnson Maughan wrote three editions of "Hiking Idaho." He also wrote "Beyond the Tetons" and "Backpacking Wyoming's Teton and Washakie Wilderness." He created and is the administrator of The Wildlife News.
If I recall correctly, Bush recently signed some bill that also removed the threat of leasing on 100,000 acres of the Valle Vidal in NM. Sen. Domenici switched from supporting drilling to opposing it, and then the bill moved pretty quick. So maybe there are two places…
Yes, you’re right.
I understand, however, that the Valle Vidal is being managed as some kind of public ranch, albeit one the public isn’t allowed to visit.
I think the enabling legislation said it had to remain a “working ranch” even though it was purchased by the government.
Someone might want to add the details.