Montana's Rocky Mountain Front Sign On Letter National Council of Churches USA Washington Office * Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism * United Church of Christ, Justice and Witness Ministries * United Methodist Church-General Board of Church and Society   Senator Baucus Senator Burns Representative Rehberg U.S. Congress Washington, DC November 21, 2006 Dear Senator Baucus, Senator Burns, and Representative Rehberg, As leaders within our faith communities, we urge you to support passage of the language inserted by Senator Burns into the 2007 Interior Appropriations Bill that would prohibit new oil and gas leasing in Montana’s Rocky Mountain Front. This beautiful portion of Montana’s wilderness landscape defines the western edge of the prairie, and is one of Montana’s most treasured wild areas. Its value is highlighted by the cooperative work of ranchers, conservationists, energy companies, county commissioners, tribal leaders, hunters, anglers, and outfitters who are working together to withdraw oil and gas leases from the Rocky Mountain Front. As religious individuals, we understand the value of wild land to the character and spirit of our diverse religious traditions. Wilderness was the place where Moses was called, where the Israelites gained their freedom and religious identity, and where prophets encountered God. John the Baptist and Jesus also both relied on wilderness retreats throughout their ministries. For similar reasons, camping ministries have long been a vital part of the American religious landscape, and America’s majestic mountain landscape figures prominently in our national character. Protecting wild places from development helps assure the sanctity of these spiritual resources. But as religious leaders, we also are called to be good stewards of God’s creation, and protecting the exceptional wildlife habitat of the Rocky Mountain Front from further oil and gas development honors that call. God has blessed all creatures to be fruitful and multiply, and it is our responsibility to assure that even as we enjoy and benefit from the fruits of creation, we do not jeopardize its fruitfulness. Ranchers, hunters, anglers, wildlife, and beauty-seekers alike benefit from keeping the land as God made it. God told Job to stop and consider God’s wonders (Job 37:14), and your efforts to protect the Rocky Mountain Front will allow Montanans to enjoy these blessings for generations to come. We applaud the work of Montana’s legislators to propose legislation to protect the Rocky Mountain Front from energy development. Your leadership can help preserve the inspirational, recreational, and ecological resources that make up the wild legacy of the Rocky Mountain Front, and we urge you to continue your efforts to assure passage of these protective measures. Sincerely, National Council of Churches USA Washington Office Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism United Church of Christ, Justice and Witness Ministries United Methodist Church-General Board of Church and Society