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Montana Petroleum Association
HEARD IT THROUGH THE PIPELINE
December 11, 2007
Sage Grouse Listing Decision Remanded back to
US Forest Service:
Federal District Court Judge Winmill (D. Idaho) issued a decision December 4th, in the sage grouse listing case. The Court's opinion and judgment could impact existing or proposed projects located in sage grouse habitat throughout the West. The opinion is attached. The judge reversed the January 12, 2005 decision of the Fish and Wildlife Service that a listing of the sage grouse as threatened or endangered was not warranted. He then remanded the matter to the FWS for further consideration.
Montana Department of Natural Resources Position Paper:
The Montana Department of Natural Resources (MDNRC) has been engaged with the Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks to discuss stipulations on state lands dealing with sage grouse. MDNRC has not adopted the one and four mile restrictions around active sage grouse leks that MFWP has been asking to be included on drilling permits. A copy of their position paper is attached.
In other DNRC news, long time employee and current chief legal counsel, Tim Hall, will be retiring at the end of this year. Candace West has been selected to become the new Chief Counsel at DNRC. Candace is currently working for Attorney General, Mike McGrath and has been involved in numerous water and natural resource issues. Candace will begin her duties in early January.
MPA Essay Contest:
Essay submissions for the 2007/08 MPA Essay Contest are due on January 18th, 2008. The contest is open to all Montana high school age students. Contest details are attached.
Upcoming Meetings:
Environmental Quality Council is January 14th and 15th in Helena. Further information can be found at: http://leg.mt.gov/css/lepo/2007_2008/default.asp
Water Policy Committee: January 15th and 16th, 2008 in Hamilton, Montana. Information can be found at: http://leg.mt.gov/css/lepo/2007_2008/water_policy/default.asp
Montana Wildlife Federation’s Changing Landscape Symposium. This meeting is scheduled for January 19th in Great Falls, Montana. The draft agenda is attached. This event is sponsored by the Montana Wildlife Federation and is focused on energy development.
Montana Chamber of Commerce “Business Days at the Capital” is scheduled for January 17th and 18th, 2008 in Helena. Details will be available soon on the Chamber’s website: http://www.montanachamber.com/ws/home.php
Articles of Interest:
Sage Grouse Decision:
http://www.billingsgazette.net/articles/2007/12/05/news/state/29-grouse.txt
Big Sky Business Journal article on the business climate in Montana: http://journal.bigskybusiness.com/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=184
MPA President Dave Ballard Opinion on Oil and Gas impact: http://www.billingsgazette.net/articles/2007/12/08/opinion/guest/60-development.txt
North Dakota sets pace for BLM leases:
http://www.billingsgazette.net/articles/2007/12/10/news/state/32-blm.txt
