Billings and Pompeys Pillar National Monument

Resource Management Plan Revision

FACT SHEET: Energy Development

Program Contact: Craig Drake, Assistant Field Manager (406) 896-5349

Renee Johnson, Montana State Office Renewable Energy Project Manager (406) 896-5028

Section 102 of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 directs agencies to manage public 

lands in a manner that recognizes the Nation’s need for domestic sources of minerals and other 

commodities, while protecting scientific, scenic, historic, archeological, ecological, environmental, air,

atmospheric, and hydrologic values. Federally owned minerals in the public domain are generally 

classified into three categories: leasable minerals, locatable minerals, and mineral materials (described in 

more detail in the RMP). The classifications are based on acts passed by the U.S. Congress. 

Renewable Energy, including wind, is also addressed in this Draft RMP. The plan identifies management 

goals and objectives, and considers a range of alternatives in the RMP. The information summarized 

below addresses oil and gas and wind energy – other minerals/energy alternatives is addressed in detail in 

the plan. 

Fluid Minerals within the Planning Area 

The fluid mineral potential within the Planning Area is low to moderate. There are no high potential areas 

within the Planning area. The Reasonable Foreseeable Development (RFD) scenario for oil and gas 

development over the next 20 years in the Planning Area (across all land ownerships) is an average of 20 

wells to be drilled per year. In comparison, the RFD for the Decision Area (BLM managed surface and 

Federal mineral estate only) is an average of 3 to 4 Federal wells to be drilled per year. 

During the planning process, lands are proposed by BLM as closed (no lease) or open to leasing. For 

lands open to fluid mineral leasing, the leasing process is initiated when members of the public file

Expressions of Interest to nominate parcels for leasing to the BLM. Then an interdisciplinary team of 

resource specialists reviews the nominated parcels and prepares an environmental assessment (EA). The 

EA discloses the potential environmental consequences from leasing the nominated parcels. Within the 

EA resource specialists identify and recommend the necessary lease stipulations to be applied on lease 

issuance. 

All leases are subject to the terms and conditions of the lease and federal regulations. Lease stipulations 

modify the lease rights beyond the standard lease terms. Lease rights could be subject to lease 

stipulations, which are considered to be either a major constraint (i.e. no surface occupancy), or a 

moderate constraint (i.e. timing limitations), and controlled surface use restrictions. Various forms of 

public involvement are incorporated throughout the leasing process.

In addition to lease stipulations, the BLM could also identify specific permit approval requirements or 

conditions of approval (COA) based on site-specific analysis to mitigate resource concerns and to ensure 

compliance with laws, regulations, and land use plans. Lease stipulations and permit approval 

requirements would also apply to split-estate leases. An example of split-estate is where privately owned 

surface overlies federal minerals.
Resources considered when addressing oil and gas leasing include, but are not limited to Greater SageGrouse habitat, cultural/heritage sites, Areas of Critical Environmental Concern (ACECs), National 

Historic Trails, areas with important resource values such as wildlife habitat, viewsheds, steep slopes, and 

sensitive soils. Descriptions of each lease stipulation are found in Appendix C of the Draft RMP/EIS.

The table below is a summary of the lease stipulations applied to oil and gas resources by alternative.

Billings and Pompeys Pillar National Monument Draft RMP/EIS

Oil and Gas Stipulation Summary of Alternatives

Alternative A

(No Action) Alternative B Alternative C Alternative D(Preferred)

Standard Leasing 

Terms 264,534 acres 67,726 acres 126,732 acres 6,158 acres

Timing Limitation 

or CSU 336,453 acres 326,016 acres 419,284 acres 336,753 acres

No Surface 

Occupancy 32,595 acres 28,110 acres 64,135 acres 263,185 acres

Closed to Leasing 39,730 acres 302,713 acres 65,891 acres 72,915 acres

Renewable Energy within the Planning Area

This plan addresses the resource potential, public concern, and opportunities for renewable energy 

development. Wind and solar projects on BLM-administered lands are processed in accordance with 

FLPMA right-of-way regulations. This plan addresses three categories of wind energy allocations: 

Exclusion Areas; Avoidance Areas and Open Areas. The information summarized below identifies the 

acres of BLM public lands considered through the range of alternatives within these categories.

The table below is a summary of wind potential and acres of exclusion and avoidance areas by alternative.

Wind Potential Alt A

(No Action)

Alt B Alt C Alt D

(Preferred)

Acres of Wind Exclusion 

High 12,372 53,537 19,960 17,392

Moderate 6,350 111,742 15,358 12,978

Low 26,271 179,530 46,421 47,411

(WY – 423 )

Acres of Wind Avoidance 

High 1,040 10,690 42,830 45,406

Moderate 7,677 34,202 119,570 122,101

Low 15,055 40,513 163,846 163,105

(WY – 1,372) (WY – 56) (WY – 476) (WY – 476)

Acres Open 

High 50,135 0 757 751

Moderate 132,040 0 10,750 10,595

Low 178,916 0 9,842 9,591

(WY – 2,503) (WY – 4,242) (WY – 3,822) (WY – 3,822)