Baucus pushes bill to protect North Fork

Montana Sen. Max Baucus testified before a Senate committee Thursday in support of his bill aimed at protecting the North Fork Flathead watershed from new oil and gas development and mining.

Baucus, who said this week that he is retiring at the end of 2014, has spent nearly 40 years working to protect the watershed, beginning with his successful 1975 proposal to designate the North Fork as a wild and scenic river.

The North Fork Watershed Protection Act is legislation to reciprocate with British Columbia, which has banned oil, gas and mining development in the Canadian North Fork. Baucus’ legislation does not impede timber production, hunting and fishing and he contends it has the broad support of Montana businesses and conservation groups.

“I was drawn to public service by the belief that each of us has a responsibility to leave this place in better shape than we found it. I believe many of you are here for that very same reason,” Baucus told the Energy and Natural Resources Committee.

“In my 40 years in public office, I have found no place like the North Fork. When I leave the Senate, I want it to stay that way. This bill is our chance to leave one of the most special places on Earth in better shape than we found it. I ask you to join me and all Montanans in that effort.”

The bill is co-sponsored by fellow Democratic Sen. Jon Tester. The two have worked with energy companies ConocoPhillips, Chevron and Exxon subsidiary XTO Energy to voluntarily relinquish more than 200,000 acres of energy leases in the North Fork.

In March, Montana Republican Congressman Steve Daines announced plans to support Baucus’ legislation with a companion bill that will be introduced in the U.S. House.