URL: https://www.indianz.com/News/archives/002221.asp

Tuesday, October 28, 2003

The U.S. Supreme Court last week let stand a ruling that classifies coalbed methane water as an "industrial waste" under the federal Clean Water Act.

The Northern Cheyenne Tribe of Montana participated in the case through friend of the court briefs. The tribe is worried about the effects of drilling on the water supply because the Tongue River forms the eastern boundary of its reservation.

Researchers at Montana State University are performing tests to see how crops are affected by coalbed methane water, a byproduct of drilling.

Get the Story:
Study looks at effect of CBM water on crops (The Billings Gazette 10/28)

Court Decision:
Northern Plains Resource Council v. Fidelity Exploration (April 10, 2003)

Relevant Links:
Montana DEQ Coal Bed Methane Plan - http://www.deq.state.mt.us/coalbedmethane/index.asp
Coalbed Methane, Region 8 - http://www.epa.gov/region08/water/
wastewater/npdeshome/cbm/cbm.html

Related Stories:
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)
Another Interior recusal on drilling (6/13)
Public negative on drilling plan (6/10)
Recusal didn't bar Griles involvement (5/27)
Worst rating goes to DOI study (5/17)
Interior and EPA trade shots on drilling (5/14)
Griles backs out on future drilling (5/10)
Griles discounts meeting invite (5/6)
Impact of drilling ruling considered (5/3)
Methane drilling study discussed (5/2)
Industry opposed to gas ruling (5/1)
Coalbed methane leases ruled illegal(4/30)
Griles accused of intimidation (4/25)
Coalbed methane drilling pushed (4/5)
Tribes host coalbed methane meetings (4/4)
Halt in methane drilling sought (2/21)
Coal methane plan released (2/20)
EPA meets with tribes on drilling (2/14)
Mont. tribe pushing water standards (1/23)
Mont. tribe developing water standards (12/20)
Methane standards to affect tribes (9/26)

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