The Northern Cheyenne Tribe of Montana and a conservation group are asking the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals to halt new coalbed methane drilling in the Powder River Basin.

A judge has allowed up to 500 coalbed methane wells a year while the Bureau of Land Management rewrites an environmental study. But the tribe and Northern Plains Resource Council say the drilling should stop until a full appeal of the decision is heard.

The tribe says coalbed methane development will harm the environment and the tribe's hunting and gathering rights.

Get the Story:
Conservation group, tribe seek to halt new wells (The Billings Gazette 5/18)

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