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JULY 2, 2001

In a recent letter, the Environmental Protection Agency is asking the Bureau of Land Management to reconsider approval of a test oil well at a Montana site considered sacred to several tribes.

The EPA says the site, known as Weatherman Draw or the Valley of the Chiefs, should be preserved because of its archaeological and cultural resources. The site contains uniqur rock art and is used for tribal ceremonies.

The BLM, an agency of the Department of Interior, approved drilling last month after an appeals process. However, development is on hold while Anschutz Exploration Corp. explores drilling on the Blackfeet Reservation in Montana instead.

Get the Story:
EPA asks BLM to rethink review of Weatherman Draw (The Billings Gazette 6/30)

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:
Sacred site drilling put on hold (6/22)
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)