Solenex requests accelerated hearing in Badger-Two Medicine drilling case

After failing to reach agreement in a face-to-face meeting two weeks ago, attorneys for a Louisiana energy company have asked the court to hasten its review of plans to drill for oil in the Badger-Two Medicine area south of the Blackfeet Indian Reservation. Mountain States Legal Foundation lawyer Steve Lechner filed a request for oral argument and expedited consideration of Solenex LLC v. Interior Secretary Sally Jewell on April 30. Interior Department attorneys responded that they do not oppose the oral argument request, but believe there is no need for a quickened process. The case is being heard in the U.S. District Court in Washington, D.C. The case involves a 6,247-acre lease for oil exploration in the mountainous area bounded by the reservation, Glacier National Park and the Bob Marshall Wilderness Complex. Blackfeet tribal leaders sent Jewell and President Barack Obama letters this spring pointing out the spiritual significance of the area and their opposition to any industrial development there. They also maintain the lease was granted without proper National Environmental Policy Act or Endangered Species Act review and should be canceled. Mountain States officials did not return requests for comment Monday. But Blackfeet Historic Preservation Officer John Murray said the tribe was unable to reach an out-of-court agreement with Solenex...more