URGENT!
DEQ Seeks Public Comment on Draft EIS for Montana Alberta Tie Transmission Line
Helena – Today the Montana Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) released the draft environmental impact statement (EIS) on the Montana Alberta Tie transmission line. The DEQ is accepting public comment on the document until April 9, 2007.
Montana Alberta Tie Ltd. (MATL) has submitted a Montana Major Facility Siting Act application to the DEQ to construct an electric transmission line. MATL proposes to construct, operate, and maintain a 230-kV transmission line between Lethbridge, Alberta, and Great Falls, Montana. As proposed, the 130-mile transmission line would extend from the Montana–Alberta border northeast of Cut Bank to an existing substation just north of Rainbow Dam near Great Falls.
A 30–day public comment period for written comments will close on April 9, 2007. Public hearings will be held at the following locations from 6:30-9:30 PM:
- Norley Hall, 400 N Virginia, Conrad on March 27, 2007, - Glacier County Voting Center, 917 East Railroad St, Cut Bank on March 28, 2007, and - Great Falls Civic Center, Missouri Room, 2 Park Dr. S., Great Falls on March 29, 2007.
The draft EIS may be viewed on the web at www.deq.mt.gov. Persons on the project mailing list will receive paper copies in the mail. For questions or to request a CD or paper copy of the draft EIS contact Greg Hallsten at 406-444-3276. Written comments should be submitted to Hallsten at the DEQ Director's Office, PO Box 200901, Helena, MT 59620-0901. Comments may also be e-mailed to MATL@mt.gov.
The DEQ will make reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities who wish to participate in this process. If you require an accommodation, please contact Lisa Peterson at 406-444-2929 or at the address above.
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Comments on the FEIS can be sent to Richard Fristik at: richard.fristik@wdc.usda.gov
Snail Mail to:
Richard Fristik, USDA Rural Development, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Room 2237, Washington, DC 20250-1571
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Please write your legislative representative about your concerns on the Highwood Coal-Fired Plant and any other energy concerns.
2007 Montana Legislative Bill lookup: Click Here
Contact information for Senators & Legislatures: Click Here
For more information on the health and environmental effects of mercury pollution see MEIC’s fact sheet at:
http://www.meic.org/air_quality/mercury_pollution
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METNET
We hope you will find time in your schedule to reserve 7:00 to 7:45 am on the second and fourth Fridays of January, February and March to meet with your legislators for informal, topic-oriented community forums. The six sessions will utilize the METNET interactive television system to give legislators and the community the opportunity to discuss topics of interest and generally stay updated on legislative issues. The Great Falls public is invited to participate from the METNET studio in Room B133 on the MSU-Great Falls Campus. Legislators and others who wish to participate from the Helena site will meet in the METNET studio in the lower level auditorium in the DPHHS Building at 111 North Sanders (just east of the Mitchell Building – across the street from the Capitol).
Topics have tentatively been assigned to each of the sessions listed below. Please encourage your associates to come to Great Falls or Helena on these dates and participate in the sessions to stay abreast of the important discussions and decisions.
January 12 Overview of the Session; Committee assignments; Keeping in touch
Hot topics for the 2007 session
January 26 Hot Topics
Health Care and Corrections
Open discussion
February 9 Hot Topics
Education, Workforce and Economic Development
Open discussion
February 23 Hot Topics
Energy, Environment and Agriculture
Open discussion
March 9 Hot Topics
Budget, Taxes and Business
Open discussion
March 23 Hot Topics, Recap of the session to date, Open discussion
For additional information, contact:
Pam Parsons 771-4314 pparsons@msugf.edu
Tom Figarelle 771-4412 thomas.figarelle@msugf.edu
Lanni Klasner 771-4396 lklasner@msugf.edu
