From the Tuesday, February 12, 2008 online edition of the Billings Gazette . . .

Proposed coal and coal-bed methane extraction in southeastern British Columbia will be the focus of a public meeting that Montana’s U.S. senators plan in Kalispell.

Democrats Max Baucus and Jon Tester say the February 21st meeting will be an opportunity to receive information from representatives of the state water management bureau, Glacier National Park, a University of Montana professor and conservation activists.

Proposals for new coal mining and coal-bed methane work in the province have raised concern in Montana about possible environmental harm in the transboundary Flathead Basin. Officials in Canada have said thorough environmental studies will take place, and the concern is premature.