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.
Source: Helena Independent Record, March 27, 2018 By: Mead Gruver, AP
Ruling Finds Effect on Climate Change Must Be Considered
U.S. government officials who engage in regional planning for an area of Wyoming and Montana that supplies 40 percent of the nation’s coal must consider reducing coal mining as a way to fight climate change, a judge has ruled.
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.
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.
U.S. Senate – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today (11/17/17) introduced the “Protect Collaboration for Healthier Forests Act” (S. 2160) to accelerate badly needed and locally supported forest management projects that will improve the health of National Forests and get loggers back to work.
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.
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.
Source: Helena Independent Record, September 3, 2017 By: Tom Lutey
BILLINGS: Montana coal production is more than 2 million tons ahead of where it was this time last year, although analysts say the future is far from bright for the fossil fuel…
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.
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.