Montana DEQ - Coal Bed Methane Press Release

Date: April 25, 2001
Contact: Marilyn Krause
U.S. BLM, Miles City Office
(406) 233-2831

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

MILES CITY  - The Bureau of Land Management - Miles City Field Office announces the third meeting of the Coal Bed Methane (CBM) Coordination Group on May 9 at the Range Riders Museum just west of Miles City.  Registration begins at 8:30 a.m. and the meeting will start at 9:00.  The meeting is expected to adjourn about 3:00 p.m.

The CBM Coordination Group includes individuals from county, state, federal, and tribal government, the methane industry, the coal industry, irrigators and landowners, and resource conservation.  Interested members of the public are also invited to attend and listen to the discussion.

The purpose of the group is to enhance communication and coordination involving coal bed methane exploration and development in Montana. Agenda topics for this meeting include round-robin reports from Coal Bed Methane Coordination Group members and a presentation by Arthur, Langhus, Lane (ALL), environmental contractor responsible for developing the Montana Statewide Oil and Gas Environmental Impact Statement (EIS).   ALL will report on the initial planning phase or “scoping” and issues that will be analyzed in the EIS.

Another opportunity for the public to observe the planning process is to listen in on the monthly coordination calls between the State of Montana and the BLM.  Calls are considered working meetings between the agencies and their purpose is not to obtain public comment.  Interested individuals or groups may listen to the calls at one of the following locations: Montana Department of Environmental Quality, Metcalf Building,1520 East Sixth Ave., Helena; Montana Board of Oil and Gas Conservation, 2535 St. Johns Avenue, Billings; and, BLM Minerals Division, 305 South 4^th, Miles City.  The next call is scheduled for 9:00 a.m. on May 16.  Future meetings will be announced on the DEQ web site: www.deq.state.mt.us.

If you have questions or need additional information, contact Mary Bloom, Coal Bed Methane Program Manager at (406) 233-3649.

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