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JUNE 22, 2001

A Colorado company on Thursday said it has agreed to put off plans to drill a test oil well at a sacred site in Montana pending development talks with the Blackfeet Nation.

The tribe offered Anschutz Corporation leases on its resource-rich reservation if the company stops its efforts to drill at Weatherman Draw, also known as Valley of the Chiefs. The site is the location of historic rock art and is used for tribal ceremonies.

On Wednesday, ten tribes and the Sierra Club filed an appeal with the Department of Interior Board of Land Appeals to protest the oil well. The appeal will continue pending talks.

The Crow Tribe is also offering to consider development of its reservation.

Get the Story:
Tribal Land Swap Halts Plan to Drill on Site of Rock Art (The Los Angeles Times 6/22)
Fight in West Is Focused on Art and Oil (The New York Times 6/22)
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Drilling permit appealed (The Billings Gazette 6/21)

Get BLM Documents:
Environmental Assessment: ANSCHUTZ EXPLORATION WEATHERMAN DRAW PROJECT (BLM 2/1)
Anschutz Exploration Corp. will be allowed to drill (BLM 2/6)
Weatherman Draw Oil and Gas Exploration (BLM 2/16)

Relevant Links:
Anschutz Exploration - http://www.anschutz-exploration.com
Blackfeet Nation - http://www.blackfeetnation.com

Related Stories:
Norton denies politics played role in drilling (6/7)
Norton hit on exploration of sacred site (6/6)
GOP faces last day in power: House taking advantage (6/5)
Mont. tribe pushing gas, oil development (6/1)
BLM allows oil exploration at sacred site (5/22)
Sacred site slated for oil exploration (5/21)
Tribes protest drilling decision (5/8)