printer friendly version
Judge says BLM failed to consult tribe on drilling
Wednesday, June 8, 2005
The Bureau of Land Management failed to consult the Northern Cheyenne Tribe before allowing coalbed methane drilling, a federal judge ruled on Monday.
U.S. Magistrate Richard Anderson said the BLM didn't consult with the tribe under
the National Historic Preservation Act. He said the law requires the BLM to determine whether cultural resources will be harmed by drilling.
Anderson also ruled that the BLM allowed drilling based on a flawed environmental study. The study was previously voided by the court in February.
In another case, the tribe and environmental groups are challenging new coalbed methane drilling in the Power River Basin in Montana. The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals has issued an injunction barring new development pending resolution of the case.
Get the Story:
Federal judge rules to halt CBM project
(The Billings Gazette 6/8)
Related Stories:
Northern Cheyenne members speak out against
drilling (6/2)
Northern Cheyenne Tribe wins
injunction on drilling (6/1)
Northern
Cheyenne Tribe seeks halt to new drilling (05/18)
Judge rejects tribe's call for halt on new
drilling (04/06)
Northern Cheyenne Tribe
wants new drilling halted (3/30)
BLM,
drilling firm try to close hearing in tribe's case (3/23)
Report blames lax culture for Griles ethical 'train
wreck' (03/17)
Energy lobbyists paid
$5K to 'sponsor' Griles speech (01/09)
Northern Cheyenne battles EPA over
authority (07/21)
State
to oppose Mont. tribe's drilling lawsuit (05/16)
Mont. tribe sues DOI over coalbed
methane plan (05/09)
Griles
nearly perjured himself (9/18)
Griles slammed for ignorance
(7/12)
Griles can't explain
trust standards (6/27)
Another Interior recusal on drilling
(6/13)
Recusal didn't bar
Griles involvement (5/27)
Worst rating goes to DOI study
(5/17)
Griles backs out on
future drilling (5/10)
Griles discounts meeting invite
(5/6)
Griles accused of
intimidation (4/25)
Copyright © 2000-2005 Indianz.Com
