(Washington, D.C.) -- Montana Senator Max Baucus said today [30 Apr 04] he will fight the proposed Cabin Creek coal-mining project in British Columbia near Glacier National Park. Baucus, who played a leading role in sinking a similar proposal nearly 20 years ago, said today Montanans stand to lose under the plan because the state won't see any economic benefits from the project, while the coal-mining operation could jeopardize water quality and wildlife in the North Fork of the Flathead River and Flathead Lake.
Baucus today wrote to Secretary of State Colin Powell and urged the top Bush Administration official to review a decision that killed the project in 1998.
Cline Mining Co. has indicated its intentions to fast-track a large-scale coal mine on Cabin Creek, a tributary of the Flathead River that flows into Montana, to full production by 2006 or 2007.
Full news release with Powell letter, additional detail, and Baucus comment to follow. . .
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Barrett Kaiser
Communications Director, U.S. Senator Max Baucus
Office: (406) 657-6790
Cell: (406) 670-0541
barrett_kaiser@baucus.senate.gov
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Note: The full press release has not yet been posted to Senator Baucus's web site, but should appear there shortly.