2004 News Items

Press releases, reports and publications from 2004

Rosebud Conservation District makes history with ordinance 11/4/04

Voters in Rosebud County made history today by overwhelmingly approving a referendum on a proposed land use ordinance addressing coal bed methane development problems. According to preliminary election results, over 80% of voters approved the ordinance in the first public vote on coal bed methane development in Montana.

Ranches protected under Good Neighbor Agreement 10/5/04

Two ranches in Stillwater County have been added to a list of properties protected under the Northern Plains Resource Council’s unique “Good Neighbor Agreement” with the Stillwater Mining Company. Through the Agreement, the mine has now donated conservation easements on six ranch properties involving thousands of acres of land, ensuring the properties’ rural qualities will be retained into the future.

Study shows reinjection, treatment doable for methane water 8/26/04

A new study shows that reinjection/injection and treatment of coal bed methane wastewater are both practical and affordable, pointing the way toward more responsible development practices in the Powder River Basin.

Settlement reached on methane discharges 8/25/04

A conservation and family agriculture group and Montana’s only producer of coal bed methane, also referred to as coalbed natural gas, announced a settlement agreement today that will result in better water quality monitoring on the Tongue River and cessation of wastewater discharges to several ponds.

Ranchers prefer COOL to animal ID 8/13/04

Today’s hearing soliciting public comment on a proposed national animal identification program drew pointed remarks from many Montana ranchers who support mandatory country-of-origin labeling in its place.

Irrigators ask state to halt methane discharges into Tongue 7/29/04

Tongue River irrigators have asked the Montana Department of Environmental Quality to halt high sodium coal bed methane wastewater discharges to the Tongue River to prevent further violations of water quality standards as the flows in the river continue to drop.

Fidelity asked to comply with water standards 7/28/04

In a notice sent yesterday, the Northern Plains Resource Council called on Fidelity Exploration and Production Company to comply with the Clean Water Act by obtaining permits before discharging high sodium methane wastewater into pits located on Tongue River tributaries.

House approves Australia trade pact 7/14/04

Montana Representative Dennis Rehberg was one of 109 representatives to vote against the Australia Free Trade Agreement, a controversial measure that passed the U.S. House today with 314 “yes” votes.

Monsanto withdraws GE wheat application 6/18/04

Monsanto formally withdrew regulatory applications requesting approval of its genetically engineered “Roundup Ready” hard red spring wheat today. The move drew sighs of relief from wheat farmers throughout Montana and elsewhere. With the exception of documents before the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Monsanto withdrew applications from regulatory bodies in eight countries, including the United States and Canada.

Negotiators sign Australia trade pact 5/19/04

U.S. and Australian trade negotiators finalized and signed the Australia Free Trade Agreement on May 18th, an agreement ranchers say will result in a flood of imported beef and lamb into U.S. markets.

Monsanto abandons “Roundup Ready” wheat 5/10/04

In a surprise move, Monsanto Corp. announced it will defer “all further efforts” to introduce “Roundup Ready” wheat, citing the genetically engineered wheat’s lack of acceptance among wheat farmers and foreign consumers. In a press release issued this morning, the biotech giant announced plans to focus on development of new genetically engineered traits for corn, cotton, and soybeans, while discontinuing all breeding and field-level research of “Roundup Ready” genetically engineered wheat.

Livestock reform measure introduced 3/18/04

On the heels of a federal jury’s verdict that Tyson Fresh Meats (formerly IBP) used “captive supplies” to manipulate cattle markets at a cost of $1.28 billion to cattle ranchers, U.S. Representative Earl Pomeroy (D-ND) has introduced a bill in the U.S. House of representatives to prevent future price manipulation.

9th Circuit to hear beef checkoff challenge 3/9/04

A three judge panel of the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals will hear arguments on a constitutional challenge to the U.S. beef checkoff program. The suit, brought by Montana ranchers Steve and Jeanne Charter and 120 independent cattle producers, alleges the beef checkoff unconstitutionally violates every cattle producer’s right to free speech and association as guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution.

Ranchers urge rejection of AUSFTA 1/30/04

Lewistown ranch owner Peter Mickelsen carries a heavy burden into the Washington D.C. offices of Montana’s congressional delegation today: the wishes of over 2,000 Montana farmers, ranchers, and rural residents opposed to expanding so-called “free” trade to Australia.

Settlement requires Clean Water Act compliance 1/5/04

Two and a half years after filing a lawsuit to oblige the methane industry to comply with the Clean Water Act, the Northern Plains Resource Council finally got its wish: MDU Resources’ coal bed methane-producing subsidiary has agreed to get Clean Water Act permits for wastewater pits it builds in U.S. waterways.