Author Archives: Peggy Trenk

Controversial Environmental Initiative Gets Green Light From State

Source:  http://montanauntamed.com   By: Susan Dunlap  susan.dunlap@mtstandard.com  May 4, 2018 Updated May 6, 2018

…Environmental groups are gearing up to get more than 25,000 signatures for a ballot measure, I-186, that they say will protect both taxpayers and Montana’s waterways.  Mining industry officials say that if the measure passes, it will lead to endless lawsuits and end all new mining investment in the Treasure State. 

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Clean Water Rule: States, greens sue over Trump admin’s WOTUS delay

Source:  Environment &Energy News, February 6, 2018  By:  Ariel Wittenberg, E&E News Reporter

States led by Democrats and environmental groups filed lawsuits today challenging the Trump administration over its two-year delay of the Clean Water Rule.

Both lawsuits accuse U.S. EPA and the Army Corps of Engineers of exceeding their statutory authority under the Clean Water Act and Administrative Procedure Act. 

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Montana Sage Grouse Oversight Team to Meet January 30, 2018

The Montana Sage Grouse Oversight Team (MSGOT) will meet on Tuesday, January 30, 2018 from 11:00 am. – 2:00 pm. in Room 152 of the State Capitol Building in Helena, MT.

The primary focus of this meeting will be efforts to develop a mitigation marketplace to incentivize habitat conservation for Great Sage-grouse.  The Montana Sage Grouse Habitat Conservation Program will give an informational presentation intended to promote MSGOT’s substantive discussion and public comment.

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Readout of the First Meeting of Re-Chartered U.S. Interior Royalty Policy Committee

U.S. Department of the Interior Press Release, October 4, 2017

Today, U.S. Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke and Counselor to the Secretary for Energy Policy Vincent DeVito welcomed new members of the Royalty Policy Committee, which was re-chartered on March 29 by the Secretary after an 8 year absence.

After introductions by the Secretary, new members were briefed on a variety of topics from their ethical responsibilities as appointees under the Federal Advisory Committee Act, to a detailed account of economic considerations the Department uses when offering public lands for lease. 

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Trump Officials Eyeing Replacement for Key Obama Climate Rule

Source:  The Hill   September 9/15/17     By:  Timothy Cama

The Trump administration is planning to pursue a less ambitious , more industry friendly climate change rule for coal-fired power plants as it works to scrap the one written under former President Barack Obama.

Multiple sources familiar with the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) plans say that as soon as next month, the EPA could put out a preliminary proposal for a rule to replace the Clean Power Plan.

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Custer Gallatin Forest Plan Revision

Source:  U.S. Forest Service

The Custer Gallatin Forest Plan Revision team is setting out on the road again with the fourth round of public meetings September 6 -20, 2017.  Community conversations will give the forest service input on the plan direction developed to date.  These public meetings are aimed at stepping down a notch from the overarching vision statements, or desired conditions, and getting into more tangible plan components such as standards, guidelines, objectives and goals that help achieve those overarching visions.

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Tintina Clears Hurdle for Copper Mine

Source:  Helena Independent Record    August 15, 2017    By:  Tom Kuglin

The company proposing a copper mine in the Smith River watershed near White Sulphur Springs has cleared its first regulatory hurdle.

Tintina Resources Inc. received notice from the Montana Department of Environmental Quality Monday, informing it that its application for a permit to mine has met its completeness and compliance review.  That triggers an environmental impact statement (EIS) for the Black Butte Copper Project — a year-long review process that includes public comment and likely public hearings.

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