109 Cooperative Way Ste 110A Kalispell, Montana 59901 406.752.0081 Fax 406.752.2843 fbc@mt.gov

Letter to the Editor

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Daily Interlake January 18, 2007 Dear Editor:      On behalf of the Flathead Basin Commission, I wish to recognize and applaud the bi-partisan support we have received from Flathead area members of the Montana Legislature. Today, the State House of Representatives Appropriations Committee, under the leadership of John Sinrud (Chairman) and Janna Taylor and Eve Franklin (Vice Chairs), will consider our request for funding that is essential for effectively countering the threat posed to water quality in the Flathead by large scale coal mining projects proposed just north of the international border. House Bill 189 was sponsored by Representative Doug Cordier of Columbia Falls and co-sponsored by representatives Bill Jones of Bigfork and Mike Jopek of Whitefish. Senator Barkus of Kalispell will carry the bill in the Montana Senate, along with co-sponsors Dan Weinberg of Whitefish and John Brueggeman of Polson. We are aware that the bill enjoys strong support throughout the extended Flathead delegation. This bi-partisan support is not only crucial in ensuring passage of the bill -- it also demonstrates to British Columbia just how broadly based is the concern in Montana over the potential impacts of a large scale open pit coal mine in the pristine headwaters of the North Fork of the Flathead River. Sincerely, Caryn Miske, Executive Director, Flathead Basin Commission The Flathead Commission would also like to acknowledge and thank Mark Blasdel from Somers for co-sponsoring this bill.

© 2007 Flathead Basin Commission