Montana Groups Sue Interior Over Oil And Gas Leases On Public Lands

"Two conservation groups representing Montana landowners are challenging the Bureau of Land Management and Interior Department in federal court for selling oil and gas leases on 150,000 acres of public land in the state.

The suit, filed Tuesday in Great Falls District Court by Earthjustice and the Montana Environmental Information Center on behalf several landowners, accuses the two agencies of “turning a blind eye” to the groundwater contamination and climate pollution that will result from the lease sales.

“BLM is well aware that current oil and gas drilling practices do not adequately protect underground sources of water,” said Earthjustice attorney Elizabeth Forsyth. “BLM cannot continue to usher in oil and gas development to rural Montana while turning a blind eye to groundwater contamination.”"

Martin Kidston reports for the Missoula Current May 16, 2018.