Resolution 16-4
Continued Funding for CBMPA Program
WHEREAS, Treasure County Conservation Districts acts as the fiscal agent for the Coal Bed Methane Protection Act Committee (“Committee”), a group of landowners and producers, representatives of state and federal agencies, and representatives of other grassroots organizations entrusted by the State of Montana to distribute funds under (MCA 76-15-905).
WHEREAS, the State of Montana further declares (MCA 76-15-901 through 76-15-904) that the purpose of this committee is to establish a long-term CBM protection account and a coal bed methane protection program for the purpose of compensating private landowners and water right holders for damage to soil and crop and to water quality and availability that is attributable to the development of coal bed methane.
WHEREAS, the CBMPA Committee has worked extensively to create baseline data for producers and water users affected by coal bed methane development.
WHEREAS, the Coal Bed Methane Protection Act (§ 76-15-901 through § 76-15-905, MCA) of 2000 established the Coal Bed Methane Protection Program (“Program”) for the purpose of compensating private landowners and water right holders for certain damages that are attributable to the development and/or production of coal bed methane [§ 76-15-902(5) MCA].
WHEREAS, the Act does not apply to activities outside of coal areas such as conventional oil and gas.
WHEREAS, the Act assigns administrative authority over the Program to local Conservation Districts that have coal beds within their exterior boundary or whose water sources (ground or surface), land values, or agricultural production may be adversely affected by the extraction and/or development of coal bed methane. See § 76-15-901(1), MCA. Conservation Districts meeting these criteria are directed to establish procedures for evaluating claims for compensation submitted by a private landowner or a water right holder. Conservation Districts have authority to approve or deny claims for compensation and also to receive compensation for their administrative expenses under the Program. Compensation comes from the Coal Bed Methane Protection Account (“Account’), which is administered by the Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (“DNRC”).
WHEREAS, the Act assigns DNRC the responsibility to administer the funds in the Account for use by the Conservation Districts. See § 76-15-904(6), MCA. DNRC is also responsible for approval of Conservation District-established procedures for evaluating claims for compensation under the Act. In the interest of encouraging a consistent approach among Conservation District administering the Act, the Coal Bed Methane Protection Act Committee (“Committee”), consisting of representatives from the Big Horn, Custer, Carbon, Carter, Powder River, Rosebud, Treasure, Wibaux, Garfield, Gallatin, Yellowstone and Prairie Conservation Districts, has prepared with approval by DNRC the procedures, guidelines, and claim forms. The DNRC’s role is limited to approval of the Conservation District’s rules and administration of funds in the Account. Other than review of rules and procedures, the DNRC has no review authority over the Conservation District’s decisions or actions implementing the Act.
WHEREAS, under the Coal Bed Methane Protection Act (§ 76-15-905 through § 76-15-905, MCA), application for Compensation for Loss of Groundwater, Surface Water or Damage to Land or Value may be made for private lands (effective after July 1, 2011.
WHEREAS, The Powder River Conservation District (PRCD) and DNRC approved four landowner claims in FY2015 which are the first approved under the DNRC-funded program. These four claims ($83,000) and PRCD overhead ($8,000) total approximately $ 91,000. The approved claims have included diminished well water for livestock and homes. The funds reimbursed two landowners for expenses to maintain water well production and another two producers to drill new wells to replace declining flow attributed to CBM. An additional FY2016 claim is pending. The claim locations are in Montana in the vicinity of the Powder River near the Wyoming / Montana state line.
WHEREAS, the approved CBMPP claims were completed after the FY2015 Legislative Session, and were previously unavailable for consideration in funding allocations.
WHEREAS, methane gas in drinking water has also increased in some wells. The presence of methane gas in drinking water, as confirmed by laboratory tests, has also reduced water well flow, and gas levels can be unsafe in some situations. The methane gas bubbles are visible in water from these taps.
WHEREAS, CBM resources remain available for future use and there is a potential for future activities to affect private landowners, and therefore a potential for more claims.
WHEREAS, approved claims have been for diminished water for livestock and homes, and additional claims are pending in FY2016.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Montana Association of Conservation Districts approach the next Montana Legislature to request continued funding for the CBMPP for program management, water sampling, and reimbursement to landowners for approved claims.
Submitted by: Treasure County Conservation District
Area Meeting Action: Passed Area 4
MACD Committee Assignment: Soil and Land Use
General Session Action: Passed
Updates on this Resolution:
- News From the Front, February 24 (2/24/2017)
- News From the Front 12/20/2016 (12/20/2016)
*No updates posted yet.