New Drilling Threat to Brent Creek

by Kelly Matheson

Over the course of the past decade WOC has led efforts to stop environmentally destructive oil and gas development on the Shoshone National Forest. To date we have been successful, but this fight is not over yet.

In November, the forest released its scoping statement for Scott Well #2, announcing its intent to evaluate whether it should permit the Hudson Group to drill an exploratory oil well near the headwaters of Brent Creek on the flanks of Ramshorn Peak north of Dubois.

Hudson first proposed exploratory drilling in this area in 1997. WOC submitted scoping comments asking the BLM to deny the company's permit request, but the company withdrew its application before the agency could render its decision.

In 1998, WOC appealed the original sale of the parcel upon which Hudson proposes to drill Scott Well #2. This appeal is still pending before the Interior Board of Land Appeals. Furthermore, the newly proposed well site is located in an area that is the focus of our current lawsuit against the Shoshone National Forest, which forced the Forest Service to withdraw leasing rights on three parcels in the Ramshorn area.

WOC has a historic interest in protecting this irreplaceable wildlife habitat and world-class recreation area. Biologists have called the Ramshorn area some of the best grizzly bear habitat in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem because of its healthy white bark pine stands and nearby elk calving area. The area lies within an elk migration corridor for the free-ranging Wiggins Fork elk herd and is home to deer, moose and goshawks. The first wolf pack to venture out of Yellowstone National Park hunts in the area, and it is one of the few places in Wyoming where lynx tracks have been found.

Beyond its wildlife values, the Ramshorn area is a popular back-country recreation destination. Quality hiking, hunting, horsepacking, backpacking and fishing will all be seriously compromised if oil operations move in and industrialize this extraordinary natural landscape.

In January, we sent out an alert urging our members and friends to write the Forest Service and ask it to deny Hudson's request to drill Scott Well #2. Many took time out from their busy holiday schedules to respond. For this we offer our sincere thanks. Your comments lend great support to our efforts to prevent industrial development of the Shoshone National Forest's wild lands.