Past Minutes

Past Minutes

Includes meetings in 2005

Central Montana Resources Conservation & Development

Board of Directors meeting

Wednesday, April 26, 2006, 10 a.m.

SMDC Conference Room

In Attendance: Edgar Lewis, chairman; Diane Ahlgren, Larry Lekse, Edward Arnott, Chris King, Dan Stilson, Ken Ronish, Dick Ellestad, Richard Moe, Ron Ahlgren, John Wright, Ken Minnie, Carl Jensen; Monty Sealey, Central Montana RC&D Coordinator; Carrie Mantooth, Central Montana RC&D Assistant Coordinator; and Jim Dullenty, Lewistown News-Argus.

Call to Order: Chairman Edgar Lewis called the meeting to order and introductions were made.

Minutes & Treasurer Report: Ken Ronish made a motion, seconded by Dick Ellestad and unanimously approved to accept the minutes of the Feb. 22, 2006, meeting as mailed. Treasurer Diane Ahlgren reported a balance of $3,323.84 in checking and $11,085.03 in savings. The checking balance doesn’t include a DNRC reimbursement for Carrie’s time and expense. Ken made a motion, seconded by Larry Lekse to accept the treasurer’s report. Monty presented bills from Montana West Printing for $55 for the newsletter; Beehive Insurance for $750 for directors and officers liability insurance annual premium; $15 to the Montana Secretary of State for on-line registration as a corporation; and $200 to the Western RC&D Association for 2006 dues. Diane said that there was an April 10 check to Beehive Insurance already paid, so the balance is actually $100. Ron Ahlgren made a motion, seconded by Dick and unanimously approved to pay the bills.

Announcements:

- Montana RC&D Association: Dick Ellestad reported on the February Montana RC&D Association meeting held in Lewistown. He said they outlined the responsibilities of the state association and hired Greg Larson, retired Northwest Area RC&D Coordinator, as the executive secretary. The Montana RC&D funds will be funneled through the Central Montana RC&D, so our accountant can do withholdings, etc. for the executive secretary. Dick Ellestad was elected secretary/treasurer. Dick said they discussed proposed cuts to the federal budget which would cut RC&D funding in half. A bill from Greg Larson for $745 was presented. This will be reimbursed to Central Montana RC&D by Montana RC&D Association. Dick made a motion to run Montana RC&D Association financials through Central Montana RC&D, seconded by Ken and unanimously approved.

Canada Lynx: Monty told the group about the Canada Lynx Critical Habitat Proposal which includes 18,000 square miles of private and public land including parts of Washington , Idaho , Montana , Minnesota and Maine . This proposal by US Fish and Wildlife Service follows a Ninth Circuit judicial opinion issued due to an environmentalist led lawsuit and is open for public comment only through April 28. Monty explained that the lynx is already on the endangered list, but this proposal could in effect be putting in a roadless initiative under another name.

Mercury Emission: Monty announced that mercury emission standards are the topic of a public hearing in May in front of the Montana Board of Environmental Review. The Board is proposing to amend the air quality rules set forth by EPA which would require 70 percent removal of mercury. Montana Environmental Information Center (MEIC) and other individuals and organizations petitioned the Montana Board of Environmental Review to adopt a rule requiring coal-fired power plants to control 90 percent of their mercury emissions. Montana ’s Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) presented a proposed mercury rule at the Board of Environmental Review’s February meeting, which said that all plants in Montana must have a DEQ-approved plan for limited emissions to 0.9 pound of mercury per trillion British thermal units (lbs./TBtu) in the coal being burned by 2010. Monty said those who support Montana ’s plants argue that the proposal goes too far, and such strict standards would shut down production in Montana . There is a petition circulating that originated in Circle asking that DEQ adopt the federal EPA standards. Board members took the petition back to their communities and will return comments by May 18. Dick suggested Central Montana RC&D also send a letter asking that the federal standards be adopted in Montana . Discussion followed, with members noting that the last Montana refinery was built in 1975.

Clean Renewable Energy Bonds (CREB): Monty discussed the Clean Renewable Energy Bonds (CREB) program. The CREB program, which is part of the new Energy Policy Act of 2005, provides government entities with the ability to obtain interest-free financing for wind projects by providing investors with a federal tax credit in lieu of interest payments. The CREB program has been authorized for $800 million, with $500 million allocated for government entities. Monty said he has been helping gather information for county governments in the area for inclusion in a grant application being prepared by Matney-Frantz Engineering. The Bozeman firm is preparing CREB applications by the April 26, 2006 deadline for a number of wind energy projects designed to provide power for Montana ’s cities, counties and schools. Ken said 35 counties and cities had signed on to the project. Lewistown and Fergus County both signed on and split the $500 fee to Matney-Frantz. Discussion followed about the possible need for legislation (especially if Northwestern Energy is sold), and helping counties understand and disseminate information if they proceed.

Project Reports:

- Homebuyer Education: Carrie reported on the homebuyer education and said the last class was two weeks ago and had seven attendees. The next class is May 22-23.

- Judith Basin Hazardous Fuels Reduction: Carrie said Judith Basin Conservation District has advertised a hazardous fuels reduction project and have had some interested landowners. The Judith Basin Conservation District hopes to begin hazardous fuel reduction projects on private lands this year through a grant with Central Montana Resource Conservation and Development. Central Montana RC&D received funds through Bitterroot RC&D as part of the Wildland Urban Interface grant program, and has earmarked the funds for use in Judith Basin County .

- Roundup Mutual Self-Help Housing Project: Ken Minnie said the Roundup Self Help Housing program is in the initial planning stage. Human Resources Development Council District 6 is spearheading the project. Ken said they are trying to get the word out in Roundup and gauging interest and are looking for a building site for five homes. Lower income families are eligible and help build the homes, committing 30 hours each week in “sweat equity.”

- Canadian Ready To Move (RTM) Homes: Monty said this project will either proceed or die out by June in Roundup. The company is now doing a private offering for shares.

- Bull Mountain Coal Mine: Larry reported that mining has shut down for awhile because they have too much coal on the ground and need to truck more out before continuing production. Three shifts are processing coal. He said Roundup has a chance of getting a coal gasification plant. They are also hoping to hear an announcement about the railroad spur soon. Rights of way have been purchased and they are waiting for construction to begin. Monty said the rail spur project was held up because there was a wetlands site that they’ll have to build around.

- Petrolia Irrigation District: Monty went to a public meeting regarding the Petrolia Irrigation District project that Central Montana RC&D is assisting with. There is a problem with saline seep and leakage on a portion of the Petrolia Irrigation Ditch. They are asking for a $100,000 DNRC Renewable Resources grant for repairs and Central Montana RC&D will assist as needed. The grant deadline is May 15.

- Central Montana Regional Water Project: The water right application is in, and Monty said they were told by DNRC that they will notice it for comments soon. DNRC said they need an environmental assessment (EA) for the entire proposed project (not just the well site). The group is questioning this, since it has not been a requirement imposed upon other regional water projects. Monty said the EA will need to be in place, along with water rights, etc., before they request a federal appropriation. He said things are going well, but 2011 would be the soonest the project could be on the ground. CMRWA is seeking funds to drill a second production well. Grant applications will be made for a DNRC Resource Development grant and to the Montana Coal Board Trust Fund. CMRWA is also waiting for its second year of funding from a DNRC Appropriation for the design of the regional water project. A request for a $1 million federal appropriation was also submitted. The water authority is working on providing water samples at a series of public meetings later this year, and will have to take a generator to the test well site to pump the samples.

Other Project Requests:

- Carter Ponds: A group of agency people are trying to get funding to repair the upper and lower Carter Ponds north of Lewistown. They already have a chunk of funding in place and are looking for a sponsor for a grant to DNRC’s renewable resource program. Dan Stilson, chairman of the Fergus Conservation District, said they are in favor of the project, and Fergus County Commissioner Ken Ronish said they also support it. The ponds are privately owned, but there has been public access for many years. They already have some financial and in-kind commitments, and would need $156,000 to repair the Upper Carter Pond and another $169,200 for the lower pond. If Central Montana RC&D acts as sponsor, they would not take administration fees. Dick made a motion that Central Montana RC&D sponsor the bill and help with the grant application, seconded by Dan and unanimously approved.

- Plastic/Fiber Composite – Willie Weeks: Monty said Willie Weeks went to the Musselshell County Commissioners and is interested in doing a feasibility study on plastic/fiber composite used for posts, etc. Monty said he is just looking for information about it at this stage. Ken Minnie said strawmut is used as a building material and is made in panels. Diane said she remembers Central Montana RC&D looked into this years ago. Monty said that EDA commissioned a feasibility study back then, but the $3-4 million needed for the project was cost prohibitive.

- Area Plan/Website: Monty will send out the area plan outline to board members. The RC&D area plan format has been revised, and won’t follow the CEDS format. Carrie is working on updating the CEDS for SMDC and will also work on the Central Montana RC&D Area Plan. The website is also under revision and will have a new address. Carl Schulz was working on the website.

Other Business:

- Roadless Initiative: Diane Ahlgren said there was an article in the last issue of Agri-News about the Roadless and Wilderness Study areas, which said there is a limit on how long these areas would be “studied.” Ed, Edgar, Diane and Dick will meet to write another letter to Governor Schweitzer asking that he recommend to President Bush that the roadless designations in Montana be removed.

Adjournment & Next Meeting Date: With no other business, the meeting was adjourned. The next meeting will be Wed., June 21 at 10 a.m. in the SMDC Conference Room, 613 NE Main St., Lewistown.

Minutes prepared and respectfully submitted by

Carrie Mantooth, Central Montana RC&D Assistant Coordinator

********************************************************************************8

Central Montana Resources Conservation & Development

Board of Directors meeting

Wednesday, April 26, 2006, 10 a.m.

SMDC Conference Room

Call to Order: Chairman Edgar Lewis called the meeting to order and introductions were made.

Announcements:

Project Reports:

- Homebuyer Education: Carrie reported on the homebuyer education and said the last class was two weeks ago and had seven attendees. The next class is May 22-23.

- Canadian Ready To Move (RTM) Homes: Monty said this project will either proceed or die out by June in Roundup. The company is now doing a private offering for shares.

Other Project Requests:

Other Business:

Adjournment & Next Meeting Date: With no other business, the meeting was adjourned. The next meeting will be Wed., June 21 at 10 a.m. in the SMDC Conference Room, 613 NE Main St . , Lewistown.

Minutes prepared and respectfully submitted by

Carrie Mantooth, Central Montana RC&D Assistant Coordinator

*****************************************************

Central Montana Resource Conservation & Development

Board of Directors meeting

Wednesday, December 21, 2005, 10 a.m.

SMDC Conference Room

In Attendance: Edgar Lewis, chairman, Diane Ahlgren, Carol Ann Schaeffer, Dick Ellestad, Ken Ronish, Ron Ahlgren, Gary Thomas, John Wright; Monty Sealey, Central Montana RC&D Coordinator, Carrie Mantooth, Central Montana RC&D Assistant Coordinator; Kathie Bailey, SMDC Executive Director; and Jim Dullenty, Lewistown News-Argus.

Call to Order: Edgar called the meeting to order at 10:00 a.m. and introductions were made. Edgar welcomed two new board member, John Wright of Judith Gap, replacing Alice Bair as the Judith Gap Town Council representative, and Ron Ahlgren as Grass Range’s representative.

Minutes & Treasurer’s Report: Minutes were mailed to board members prior to the meeting. Ken Ronish made a motion to accept the minutes of the Oct. 19, 2006 meeting, seconded by Gary Thomas and unanimously approved. Diane distributed a financial report from July through Dec. 12 and reported $703.92 in the checking account as of Dec. 14 and $17,010.81 in savings as of Dec. 20. One six-month CD of $15,000 is at 3.75 percent interest and will mature on Feb. 17, 2006; and another six-month CD of $30,000 is at 2.75 interest and will mature June 2, 2006. All these funds total $62,010.81. Ken made a motion, seconded by Dick Ellestad and unanimously approved to accept the treasurer’s report. Monty reminded the board that the $30,000 put into a CD was the NRCS payment for two years. These funds are unrestricted. He said funds will need to be transferred from savings to checking in order to pay the following bills: Loren Randall, CPA, for the audit of approximately $2,900 for year-end tax statement and the audit (the bill hasn’t been received to determine exact amount); Ballyhoo Printing for $160.50 for 10 homebuyer manuals, and newsletter; and a check to Jennifer. Dick made a motion to pay the bills and transfer $5,000 from savings to checking, seconded by Ken and unanimously approved.

Announcements and Schedules:

- RTM Homes: Monty distributed pictures of RTM Homes and said he had a short video to show the group later.

- Small Business Health Plan: A letter from Senator Conrad Burns was passed talking about the Small Business Healthcare Affordability Act, which provides tax credits and premium payments to help small business owners provide health insurance to their employees. Kathie said information about the plan was sent to small businesses through chambers of commerce and that there has been very good response, with the first quota being filled and others on a waiting list.

- Newsletters: The National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD) and Montana State of the Arts newsletters were distributed, along with the DNRC 2005 annual report with a section on the Central Montana RC&D, which is the only state-funded RC&D in the state. The other RC&Ds are all funded through NRCS.

Audit: Loren Randall, CPA, will meet with the committee of the Central Montana RC&D to give a summary of the audit. Monty said the audit is finished, and he distributed the report. Monty noted that he avoids running grants through the RC&D, as the audit costs increase significantly and it’s a higher level of audit.

Status Reports:

- Homebuyer Education: Carrie reported that she did not go to NeighborWorks Training in San Francisco in December, but will go instead to Atlanta in February to take the one-on-one homebuyer education counseling session. She held a class Dec. 11, but had to cancel the second session Dec. 12 because of the blizzard that moved into Lewistown. She rescheduled and completed the class Dec. 19. Classes are scheduled for January through March 2006.

- Hazardous Fuels Reduction Program in Judith Basin County : Six landowners responded to the advertisements in Judith Basin County to participate on a cost-share basis in the hazardous fuel reduction grant. However, Judith Basin Conservation District representatives didn’t feel there was enough interest to justify taking on the project, so they have talked with Shannon Downey with BLM and Shonny Nordlund with the Fergus Conservation District about taking on administration of the project for Judith Basin. Ken made a motion, seconded by Gary and unanimously approved to turn the project over to BLM and Fergus Conservation District.

- Bull Mountain Mine: The Roundup mine has a new manager with 14 years with the Office of Surface Mining and in the mining business for 30 years. At the last meeting, the board voted to write a letter to the Governor, DEQ and Board of Environmental Review expressing the RC&D’s dissatisfaction with the administration’s promotion of natural resource development, while DEQ makes these types of projects virtually impossible. Monty suggested they talk with the new manager of the mine and find out the status of the lawsuit delaying the power plant project before drafting the letter. Monty said they’ve been hearing great reports about the new manager and funding of the Roundup mine and said they plan on building the rail spur in early spring. Gary said mine officials said they will be producing 1-1/2 million tons of coal per year within 18 months. The well is also done and producing 400-500 gallons per minute, but they will still do five wells. The well is 8400 feet into the Madison , and the water quality is very poor, which they expected. They will put in a full treatment facility. The mine plans to employ 250 people within the year.

- Roundup Self-Help Housing: District VI HRDC is conducting public hearings in Roundup with plans to proceed with applying for grant funds through the Department of Commerce for a mutual self-help housing program. Lewistown has completed one round of five new houses, and is working on the second round. To qualify, applicants must be first-time homebuyers below median income and contribute 30 hours per week per family (can include outside volunteers) to construction of the home. The families all work together to build their new homes and have great equity by the time they complete it. Monty said Central Montana RC&D will assist with grant writing as needed. Participants also need to complete the first-time homebuyer course, so Carrie will schedule Roundup meetings if the program proceeds. HRDC also wants to follow Roundup with Harlowton. Dick made a motion, seconded by Gary and unanimously approved to adopt this as a project. John Wright asked if Judith Gap could be included, and he was encouraged to contact HRDC in Lewistown.

- Central Montana Regional Water Authority: Monty reported that the pump test was completed at the Utica test well the Monday after Thanksgiving. The plan was to do a seven day test, but they did a 12 day test. They were under budget, so CMRWA officials decided to go 12 days because the water quality was getting better daily. Monty said although the final results won’t be in until January, preliminary indications from the engineers are that the quality and quantity are both adequate to do the project. The water was colder than they thought it would be, which is a good indicator. The chemical analysis from the lab should be in by the Jan. 11 CMRWA meeting in Judith Gap. The next step is to apply for the water rights, then complete the design and financial feasibility. Edgar asked about the discharge from the pump test, and Monty explained that they were able to irrigate the State Land lessee’s (Jeb Stevenson) pasture to the north. They were pumping 120 gallons per minute and continually gaining head during the test.

- Canadian Ready To Move (RTM) Homes: Monty said the Billings business, ATechBuilder Corporation, has no heard anything from Lewistown about interest in the RTM Homes project, but continues to work with Roundup officials, Billings and the Dakotas . The Billings business is looking for investors, and it takes $1.7 million per location to get started, which includes $1 million in inventory. That amount could include pre-construction purchase of 8 to 12 spec homes. Monty said there have five or six interested in Roundup and said the project has a decent chance of proceeding in Roundup. They have distributed a survey about house size, etc., in Roundup and believe locating an RTM Homes manufacturing business in Roundup would help make the town of destination as people come to look at the homes. Monty praised ATechBuilder for an outstanding business plan that they have been developing for the last four years.

- Roadless Designation: Edgar said he’s still not had any response from Gov. Schweitzer on the letter Central Montana RC&D sent concerning the roadless designation and Wilderness Study Areas. The comment period has been extended to spring. Edgar encouraged all county commissioners to write letters. Discussion followed on the importance of making our voice heard, as we are getting “outgunned” by the environmentalists in western Montana . The group talked about ways to coordinate our own effort. Diane suggested involving the farm and ranch groups. The group decided that first more information about where the Wilderness Study Areas are and their status is needed, then Congressional staff should be contacted for help in organizing an informational meeting. Gary made a motion, seconded by Dick and unanimously approved to appoint a committee of Dick, Gary, Diane and Edgar to work on this project.

Area Plan Update: Central Montana RC&D was included in the Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS), which is four years old now. The RC&D had its own plan in 1996, and will require to have its own area plan again, with parameters separate from the CEDS. Monty distributed Northern Rocky Mountain RC&D’s area plan. Public meetings will need to be held to gather input throughout the six counties. Monty said Musselshell County has had a growth plan done for two years, Fergus County is nearing completion, and the other counties will need growth policies, and that information can be used in the area plan. Information from the resource assessments held in Judith Basin and Golden Valley Counties can also be incorporated in the area plan. Kathie and Carrie talked about coordinating efforts with the CEDS that needs to be updated by 2007, and Kathie said they will just begin working on it sooner.

Other Area Projects:

- Judith Gap Wind Farm: The project is scheduled to be fully operational by the end of the year. Ken said they have about 69 turbines on line and are struggling to get the kinks ironed out, which is typical on a new project. Dick talked about the governor’s push for coal development in the state. Ken noted that much of the coal is not good quality. Discussion followed on lignite coal development in North Dakota ; the work done in the 1990s on researching coal fields in Montana ; and the need for Gov. Schweitzer to focus on helping develop coal projects in Roundup and Great Falls first, since these projects take big money.

Next Meeting: The next regularly scheduled meeting would be Feb. 15, but there is a MACo meeting, so the meeting will be held Wednesday, Feb. 22 at 10 a.m. in the SMDC Conference Room in Lewistown. With no further business, the meeting was adjourned.

Minutes prepared and respectfully submitted by

Carrie Mantooth, Central Montana RC&D Assistant Coordinator

*****************************************************

Central Montana Resource Conservation & Development

Board of Directors meeting

Wednesday, October 19, 2005, 10 a.m.

SMDC Conference Room

In Attendance: Edgar Lewis, chairman, Ed Arnott, Richard Moe, Dick Ellestad, Diane Ahlgren, Ken Ronish, Alice Bair, Wanda Kalgren; Monty Sealey, Central Montana RC&D Coordinator and Carrie Mantooth, Central Montana RC&D Assistant Coordinator.

Call to Order: Edgar called the meeting to order at 10:00 a.m. and introductions were made. Alice Bair said John Wright of Judith Gap would be replacing her as the Judith Gap Town Council representative. Monty asked that Gary Thomas of Roundup be added to the mailing list.

Minutes & Treasurer’s Report: Minutes were mailed to board members prior to the meeting. Ken Ronish made a motion to accept the minutes of the Aug. 17 meeting, seconded by Dick and unanimously approved. NRCS gives each RC&D $15,000 per year for clerical, audit, etc. and Monty said Central Montana RC&D has two years worth of payments coming, totaling $30,000. Monty also presented the following bills: from Ballyhoo Printing, $18.30 for a homebuyer manual and $86.10 for the newsletter; Carrie Mantooth’s time and expenses, $1,355.92 (reimbursed fully by DNRC); Taxes and Things of Roundup, $170, for third quarter accounting; $7.96 for unemployment insurance; and $91.54 to IRS for withholdings. Ken made a motion, seconded by Dick and unanimously approved to pay the bills. Diane Ahlgren reported a checking account balance of $2,083.20 as of Oct. 17 and a savings balance of $16,962.91 as of Aug. 30. Monty noted that the savings balance includes $5,000 from the Do More Trust earmarked for the regional water project. Neighborhood Housing Services/Montana HomeOwnership Network (NHS/MHN) had also mistakenly reimbursed Central Montana RC&D twice last year for homebuyer services, so there was an extra $4,000 credited. Instead of returning the funds, they just won’t reimburse until the credit is used up. Dick made a motion, seconded by Ken and unanimously approved to accept the treasurer’s report. Discussion followed about putting the $30,000 from NRCS into a CD. Ken made to put $30,000 into a six-month CD at Basin State Bank, seconded by Dick and unanimously approved.

Announcements and Schedules:

- Homebuyer Education: Central Montana RC&D will be signing a new contract with NHS/MHN. Carrie reported that she had attended a meeting for homebuyer educators in Great Falls on Oct. 14 and there will now be a requirement for monthly classes. The requirement for 2005 was 10 classes. There is also an updated survey for participants regarding race, age, income, housing status, children, etc., and the survey must be completed in entirety in order for reimbursement for that person.

- Ti Timber Bridges: Monty distributed a brochure for timber bridges for walking or vehicles.

- Western RC&D Conference: This year’s conference will be in Kerney, Nebraska , Jan. 22-25. Monty said he would attend if a board member wanted to go.

- National RC&D Conference: The national conference will be in June in Savannah , Georgia , and Monty will attend if a board member wants to go. Monty reminded the group that they pay dues to both the Western & National RC&Ds, and they work hard on Farm Bill issues, etc.

- Gr Grant Station: Monty distributed the latest Grant Station talking about how to write effective grants.

- Rails to Trails Conservatory: Two women with this group out of Washington , D.C. , stopped by Monty’s office in Roundup. Ken Ronish said Lewistown is looking at a Rails to Trails project doing the whole corridor to Moore . Richard Moe added that there are huge landowner issues on these projects, but they are a great way to tie communities together and are destination points.

Status Reports:

- - Homebuyer Education: Carrie said she just completed another homebuyer class Oct. 17-18 and had seven attendees. Since the first classes were held in 2000, there have been nearly 300 graduates attending Central Montana RC&D classes, and so far in 2005, nearly 500 Montanans have used NHS/MHN assistance to purchase homes. Part of the new contract with NHS/MHN is one-on-one counseling. Carrie said last year’s contract asked for 100 hours of one-on-one, which includes the initial contact with potential homebuyers registering for class. Each outreach center has the option of letting Consumer Credit Counseling Services do the counseling (on budgeting, foreclosure prevention, etc.), but will provide training at Neighborhood Reinvestment Institute for those who want to do their own. NHS/MHN will reimburse for that counseling, so Carrie suggested that she get the training and do her own. The board agreed, and Richard Moe made a motion that Carrie attend the training, seconded by Diane and unanimously approved. NHS/MHN pays for everything except meals.

- - Bull Mountain Mine/Power Plant: Monty showed the group a Billings Gazette article from Oct. 18 talking about the dispute between the state and Bull Mountain Mine and power plant developers. The power plant developer, Bull Mountain Development Co., received a letter from DEQ Director Richard Opper to cease coal extraction until a strip mine permit is obtained. In site preparation for the power plants, workers struck a coal seam, which they removed to get to stable ground. The coal isn’t for sale and was moved only for site preparation, but DEQ insists they now need the permit. The other contention concerning the project is Montana DEQ’s offer to extend the air quality permit for the power plant project only if developers agree to additional stipulations for air emissions. The developer’s attorney said that the air quality permit has not expired, since they filed for an amendment for an extension. DEQ claims that the permit expired June 12 because permanent construction on the site hadn’t begun. However, site-clearing work (an $11 million project) had begun and a road constructed to it. Developers will be penalized $3 million if they don’t follow through with the contract for the site work. The board talked about the frustration over the ever-changing stipulations inflicted by DEQ, and how their requirements are beyond the EPA requirements. There are currently 60 full-time workers at the coal mine, but Monty stressed that they need the rail spur so they don’t have to keep trucking coal to the load-out facility at Lockwood. Discussion followed on the Governor’s conference on energy in Bozeman . The group agreed that it was a good idea, but that the Governor has so many arms going that don’t cooperate with each other. For instance, the Governor is promoting development of natural resources, but the DEQ’s attitude makes it very difficult for a project to succeed. Richard Moe said the blades for the wind farm project come from Houston , Texas , but because they were 2” longer than the permit allowed, they were held at the border for three days! Diane Ahlgren said another example of DEQ’s rule changing is on the Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) on Montana ’s rivers. The Petroleum County Conservation District was frustrated that DEQ kept changing the format for TMDL when they were working on the Musselshell River . Monty also talked about the upcoming Montana Board of Environmental Review public meetings on mercury emissions and coalbed methane standards. He said 50 percent of the emissions in the United States come from other countries and a third from vehicles. As part of the Clean Air Act, EPA rules will regulate mercury emissions from power plants, going beyond the voluntary reduction measures already taking place. Rep. Alan Olson and Monty will be at the Nov. 10 meeting in Miles City . The group talked about how they can relay the RC&D board’s opinion on these measures. Dick made a motion to send a letter to the Governor, the Board of Environmental Review and DEQ, drafted by Monty and with Chairman Edgar Lewis’s signature, seconded by Ed and unanimously approved.

- - Roadless Designation: No response has been received from the Governor on the Aug. 17 letter from the Central Montana RC&D regarding roadless designations in the Snowies and Belt Mountains . Monty said several landowners had told him they were thrilled that the RC&D wrote the letter. Ed said the environmentalists had sent many form letters and the Forest Service just counts numbers without regard to whether they are form letters. Ed said the comment period ends Nov. 15 so there’s still time to write more letters. Ed said he was at Rick and Sarah Stevenson’s home to talk about the issue, and they talked about the Wilderness Study Area being an even bigger issue, noting that the study area near them was designated in 1974, and if a fire were to occur it could wipe them out. The group agreed that the study areas needed to come to a conclusion, and that groups like ours need to get together to be heard. Monty said he will talk to the congressional staffers about sponsoring a meeting to discuss these issues. Wanda Kalgren is the new representative from Lavina, and she said the Forest Service needs to define what it is they are studying in these study areas. Dick also suggested contacting Fred Davidson, Montana RC&D president, to find out what other RC&Ds are doing and maybe join together on these issues.

- - Regional Water Authority: The Central Montana Regional Water Authority (CMRWA) met last week in Hobson and the pump test contractor, Boland Water Services of Great Falls, gave a report. The dummy test was to begin this week and then the pump put into the hole. Great West Engineering will install monitors on area wells, and a week’s worth of data will be collected before the week-long pump test begins. The group should have some results by the next meeting in Hobson on Nov. 9. Monty said that after four years, there will be an answer as to whether they have a real project.

- - Hazardous Fuels Reduction Grant: Judith Basin County Conservation District will administer the grant and is accepting applications from landowners in Judith Basin County . Monty met with them, Bitterroot’s forester, Byron Bonney; Forest Service and Department of State Lands personnel at a meeting in which they identified potential areas for the hazardous fuel reduction grant funds. Private land next to public is targeted. The conservation district is sending out direct letters to landowners and publicizing the grant in hopes of getting interest generated.