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A federal judge canceled 287 oil and gas leases in Montana last Friday following a court battle over the Bureau of Land Management's (BLM) lack of analysis of the potential environmental impacts of the leases, including risks to groundwater supply.
In 2017, the BLM offered the leases on public lands in an area covering almost 227 square miles in eastern and central Montana. The agency was sued by nearby residents and environmental organizations for not adhering to the requirements for environmental reviews to consider cumulative environmental impacts, including climate change.
U.S. District Judge Brian Morris sided with the plaintiffs, writing in his opinion, "The Court does not fault BLM for providing a faulty analysis of cumulative impacts or impacts to groundwater, it largely faults BLM for failing to provide any analysis." Following the judge's decision to cancel the leases, the BLM is tasked with conducting the necessary environmental reviews.
Public lands community mourns the passing of John Freemuth
John Freemuth was a trusted expert on public lands and environmental issues with an ability to understand and explain an issue from all sides. He was also an encouraging and supportive professor of public policy at Boise State University and a long-time collaborator and associate of the Andrus Center for Public Policy. He was entertaining, knowledgeable, and dedicated to teaching and mentoring his students to give them the necessary tools and policy frameworks to become the next generation of conservation and public lands leaders. He died of a heart attack on Saturday and he will be deeply missed by all who knew him.
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The impact John [Freemuth] would be proudest of is the impact he had on students. He saw them as the leaders of tomorrow. So I think when you look at all the wonderful things John accomplished, he’d be proudest of those people who he helped build their voice and give the tools to lead.”
