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Public Comment. Volume III - Montana Legislature

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NA COAL COUNCIL<br />

01 COLONIAL DRIVE HELENA, MONTANA 59601<br />

(406) 442-6223 FAX: (406) 449-6628 EMAIL: MTCOAL@AOL.COM<br />

L .'<br />

April 5,2000<br />

. : . ,,hi<br />

NR 00m<br />

~VIRONMENTAL<br />

QUALITY COUNCIL<br />

To:<br />

Environmental Quality Council<br />

From: Jim Mockler, Executive<br />

f<br />

Re:<br />

Eminent Domain<br />

Coal mining does not enjoy the right of eminent domain. The Surface Mining Control and<br />

Reclamation Act (PL 95-87) requires that surface owner consent be obtained prior to the granting<br />

of a reclamation permit. .<br />

However the development of any new cod mine would need a rail spur, access roads and a<br />

power line in order to become a viable coal mining operation. All of these activities are allowed<br />

the use of eminent domain to obtain rights-of-way to the mine site. Without these rights, it<br />

would likely be impossible to ever build another new coal mine.<br />

We urge the Environmental Quality Council to retain these powers over essential entities<br />

necessary for the development of any major new coal mine.<br />

-1 30- <strong>Volume</strong> Ill: <strong>Public</strong> <strong>Comment</strong>

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