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FRIDAY, JANUARY 25, 2002

The Northern Cheyenne Tribe of Montana was praised for developing water standards at a public hearing in Billings on Thursday.

The Environmental Protection Agency, which hosted the hearing, the Fort Peck Tribes and the state Department of Environmental Quality said the proposal was well formed. The standards after water usage for a variety of purposes, including wildlife, agriculture and development.

A coalbed methane company, however, did encourage the tribe to weaken a standard with direct impact on drilling. A representative of Fidelity Exploration and Production Co., the only commercial producer of coalbed methane in Montana, said the strict criteria could limit economic opportunities for the tribe.

The tribe is accepting comments until February 4. Once finalized, the EPA is charged with enforcing them.

Get the Story:
Tribe’s water quality proposal supported (The Billings Gazette 1/25)

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