Responses to HNA/Triveras Letters to Libby Residents

From the Missoulian: "Members of Montana's congressional delegation recommend swift reprisal against W.R. Grace & Co. for the pending reduction in health-care compensation available to hundreds sickened by asbestos from the company's mine near Libby."

In response to the letters to Libby residents, Senator Baucus has introduced S. 1788, "A bill to amend section 524(g)(1) of title 11, United States Code, to predicate the discharge of debts in bankruptcy by any vermiculite mining company meeting certain criteria on the establishment of a health care trust fund for certain individuals suffering from an asbestos related disease."

Representative Rehberg's statement and letter to the Department of Health and Human Services Secretary asking for an investigation of the letters is available online.

Source: "Congressmen seek action against Grace." Missoulian September 29, 2005. B1.

Friday Resource Round-Up

2005 Food Code
The new code for food safety is now available from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Command and Control of Detainee Operations
An Army field manual regarding handling of detainees, hosted by the Federation of American Scientists (FAS).

Continental United States Landfalling Hurricanes 1950-2004
A map from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

Criminal Victimization, 2004
A Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS) report.

Election Day Survey
The results of a survey conducted by the Election Assistance Commission on Election Day 2004.

Guarding Against Waste, Fraud, and Abuse in Post-Katrina Relief and Recovery: The Plans of Inspectors General
A report of the Department of Health and Human Services Office of the Inspector General.

The Hotchkiss Map Collection
A collection of Confederate Army maps now available on the Library of Congress American Memory website.

How Reserve Call-Ups Affect Civilian Employers
Congressional Budget Office (CBO) testimony.

H.R. 3768: Katrina Emergency Tax Relief Act of 2005
A Congressional Budget Office (CBO) cost estimate of this piece of legislation.

Hurricane Katrina Control System Assistance
A Department of Homeland Security report archived and hosted by the Federation of American Scientists (FAS).

Labor Force Participation in Formal Work-Related Education in 2000-01
A National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) report.

Postal Service Transformation Plan
The new Postal Service strategic plan.

Productivity and Costs by Industry
A Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) report.

Public Health Emergency Response Guide for State, Local, and Tribal Public Health Directors
A CDC emergency preparedness and response guide.

State Personal Income
New data is available on the Montana Census and Economic Information Center (CEIC) website.

World Development Report 2006: Equity and Development
A new report from the World Bank.

Census Bureau Reports:

2002 Economic Census: Management of Companies and Enterprises

2003 County Business Patterns

Congressional Research Service (CRS) Reports:

The Davis-Bacon Act: Suspension

Emergency Contracting Authorities

Hurricane Katrina and Veterans

Hurricane Katrina: DOD Disaster Response

Hurricane Katrina Recovery: Contracting Opportunities

Hurricanes Katrina and Rita and the Coastal Louisiana Ecosystem Restoration

NEPA and Hurricane Response, Recovery, and Rebuilding Efforts

Postal Service for Katrina Survivors

Proposed Bankruptcy Legislation to Address Natural Disaster Victims

Social Security Reform: Growing Real Ownership for Workers (GROW) Act of 2005, H.R. 3304

State Statutes Governing Hate Crimes

General Accountability Office (GAO) Reports:

Army Corps of Engineers: Lake Pontchartrain and Vicinity Hurricane Protection Project

Drug Offenders: Various Factors May Limit the Impacts of Federal Laws That Provide for Denial of Selected Benefits

Framework for Assessing the Acquisition Function At Federal Agencies

Global War on Terrorism: DOD Should Consider All Funds Requested for the War When Determining Needs and Covering Expenses

Globalization: Observations on Federal Activities Related to Global Corporate Social Responsibility and Human Rights

HUD Rental Assistance: Progress and Challenges in Measuring and Reducing Improper Rent Subsidies

Hurricane Katrina: Providing Oversight of the Nation's Preparedness, Response, and Recovery Activities

Indian Health Service: Health Care Services Are Not Always Available to Native Americans

Radiation Exposure Compensation Act: Program Status

Real Estate Brokerage: Factors That May Affect Price Competition

Residential Energy: Oversight of Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program Payments

Tax Policy: Summary of Estimates of the Costs of the Federal Tax System

U.S.-China Trade: The United States Has Not Restricted Imports under the China Safeguard

United Nations Documents:

Activities of the United Nations Development Fund for Women

Draft Programme of Action for the Second International Decade of the World’s Indigenous People

International Law Commission: Report on the work of its fifty-seventh session

International Migration and the Millennium Development Goals

Measures to eliminate international terrorism

Midterm global review of the International Decade for a Culture of Peace and Non-Violence for the Children of the World, 2001-2010

Nineteenth report of the Secretary-General on the United Nations Organization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo

Progress For Children: A Report Card on Immunization

Rwanda Update

Torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment

World Investment Report 2005

Status Review of Interagency Bison Management Plan

From the Yellowstone National Park news release: "A partnership of state and federal agencies (National Park Service, USDA Forest Service, USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Montana Department of Livestock, and Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks) that manage bison in and around Yellowstone National Park recently completed a five-year status review of the Interagency Bison Management Plan (IBMP), implemented in December 2000."

The status report is available on the Yellowstone website: Interagency Bison Management Plan - A Status Review of Adaptive Management Elements, 2000 - 2005.

Sources: "Bison management going well, agencies say." Billings Gazette September 30, 2005.
"Advocate disputes success report on bison." Missoulian September 30, 2005. B4.

Chief Justice John G. Roberts

From the New York Times: "John G. Roberts Jr. was confirmed as the 17th chief justice of the United States today in a formality that intensified speculation over who will be President Bush's next Supreme Court nominee.

"The Senate confirmed the nominee by a vote of 78 to 22, with unanimous support from Republicans and with half the Democrats voting for him as well. He was sworn in at the White House this afternoon by Supreme Court Justice John Paul Stevens amid expectations that the president will announce his next choice for the court very soon."

Senate discussion of Roberts can be found in the Congressional Record. You can view the results of the Senate roll call vote through THOMAS.

Remarks from Chief Justice Roberts and President Bush at the swearing-in ceremony are available on the White House website.

Source: "Ceremony Follows Senate Vote Confirming Nomination, 78-22." New York Times September 29, 2005.

IRA Disarmament

From The Guardian: "The IRA's entire arsenal of weapons has been destroyed, the head of the international decommissioning body said yesterday. The retired Canadian general John de Chastelain said that he had examined 'large quantities of arms' which he was satisfied made up the 'totality of the IRA's arsenal.' This included 'a full range of ammunition, rifles, machine guns, mortars, missiles, handguns, explosives, explosive substances and other arms'."

The report comes from the Independent International Commission on Decommissioning (IICD). Several web sources have posted the text of the brief report:

BBC News

CAIN web service

Northern Ireland Office

The CAIN Reports and Statements by the Independent International Commission on Decommissioning (IICD) website hosted by the University of Ulster is an excellent source for IICD documents. The BBC News and Guardian websites have good links to other background documents. Finally, the White House and State Department have posted the U.S. response to the IRA statement on decommissioning.

Sources: "Entire arsenal was destroyed, monitors say." Guardian Unlimited September 27, 2005.
"IRA 'has destroyed all its arms'." BBC News. September 26, 2005.

Senate Debates on Roberts Nomination

From the New York Times: "With speculation already focusing on President Bush's next Supreme Court choice, the full Senate began debate this afternoon on the confirmation of Judge John G. Roberts Jr. as chief justice of the United States."

The transcript of the Senate discussion of Roberts' nomination begins on page S10395 of the Congressional Record. Yesterday's Daily Digest indicates that the final vote is scheduled for 11:30 A.M. on Thursday, September 29th. In addition, C-SPAN is broadcasting the debates on the Senate floor on C-SPAN2 via streaming video.

Sources: "Debate on Chief Justice Nominee Opens in Senate." New York Times September 26, 2005.
"Senate opens Roberts confirmation debate." Missoulian September 27, 2005. A5.

Proposed Funding Model for Montana Schools

From the Billings Gazette: "A legislative panel took an initial step Friday toward endorsing a new way of funding Montana schools, despite warnings that the new 'formula' can't be completed in time.

"The formula tentatively endorsed by the Quality Schools Interim Committee would distribute more state money for public schools on a per-school basis, rather than per student."

A presentation entitled "A Proposed Funding Mechanism for Montana Public Schools" is now available on the Quality Schools Interim Committee website. The site also includes proposed changes to school mill levies, information on committee meetings, and other presentations and reports.

Source: "Panelists endorse school formula, Democrats reject efforts to delay funding plan." Billings Gazette September 24, 2005.

Friday Resource Round-Up

American Time Use Survey
New data in this survey is now available from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).

Analyzing Repeat Victimization
A new Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) report.

Bioterrorism and Mass Casualty Preparedness in Hospitals: United States, 2003
A CDC Advance Data report.

Bottled Water Basics
A report in the EPA Water Health Series.

A Citizen's Guide on Using the Freedom of Information Act and the Privacy Act of 1974 to Request Government Records
The updated version of the House Committee on Government Reform report (hosted by the Federation of American Scientists).

Climate of 2005: Summary of Hurricane Katrina
A National Climatic Data Center (NCDC) report.

Economic Survey of China 2005
A new report from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).

E.D. TAB: Public Libraries in the United States: Fiscal Year 2003
A National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) report with national and state-level data on public libraries.

Environmental Health Needs and Habitability Assessment
The joint EPA and CDC assessment of the habitability of New Orleans (in response to the New Orleans mayor's plans to "reopen" portions of the city).

Guide to Health Care Quality: How to Know It When You See It
A guide from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), a division of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).

Guideline for Implementing Cryptography In the Federal Government
A paper from the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST).

Memorandum for the Secretary of State: Presidential Determination on Major Drug Transit or Major Illicit Drug Producing Countries for Fiscal Year 2006
A brief assessment of drug production in foreign countries.

Methamphetamine Use, Abuse, and Dependence: 2002, 2003, and 2004
A report and new data from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) Office of Applied Studies.

The National Listing of Fish Advisories (NLFA)
An EPA database.

The National Strategy for Maritime Security
The White House has released a new security plan.

Proposed Category System for 1960-2000 Census Occupations
This Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) paper "proposes a detailed, consistent category system for occupations in the Census of Population data from 1960 to 2000."

Schizophrenia
An updated booklet from the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH).

Shifting and Sharing
Responsibility for Public Safety Problems
A new Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) report.

Spam Issues in Developing Countries
A report from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Task Force on Spam.

Congressional Research Service (CRS) Reports:
OpenCRS has a list of CRS Reports related to Hurricane Katrina (thanks to beSpacific for the tip).

Campaign Finance Reform: Regulating Political Communications on the Internet

The Chief Justice of the United States: Responsibilities of the Office and Process for Appointment

Continuity of Government: Current Federal Arrangements and the Future

Emergency Preparedness and Continuity of Operations (COOP) Planning in the Federal Judiciary

Federal Affirmative Action Law: A Brief History

Federal Civil Rights Statutes: A Primer

Foreign Outsourcing: Economic Implications and Policy Responses

Gasoline Prices: Policies and Proposals

Homeland Security: Protecting Airspace in the National Capital Region

Hurricane Katrina: Insurance Losses and National Capacities for Financing Disaster Risk

Hurricane Katrina: Medicaid Issues

Hurricane Katrina: The Response by the Internal Revenue Service

Katrina's Wake: Restoring Financial Services

Legislative Initiatives to Temporarily Relocate Federal Courts Interrupted by Natural or Man-made Disasters, 109th Congress

The Macroeconomic Effects of Hurricane Katrina

Military Base Closures: A Historical Review from 1988 to 1995

Older Workers: Employment and Retirement Trends

Unemployment and Employment Programs Available to Workers from Alabama, Louisiana, and Mississippi Affected by Hurricane Katrina

The Use of Federal Troops for Disaster Assistance: Legal Issues

General Accountability Office (GAO) Reports:

Energy Markets: Gasoline Price Trends

Environmental Information: Status of Federal Data Programs That Support Ecological Indicators

Global War on Terrorism: DOD Needs to Improve the Reliability of Cost Data and Provide Additional Guidance to Control Costs

Information Quality Act: National Agricultural Statistics Service Implements First Steps, but Documentation of Census of Agriculture Could Be Improved

International Affairs: Information on U.S. Agencies' Efforts to Address Islamic Extremism

Klamath River Basin Conservation Area Restoration Program: Limited Assurance Regarding the Federal Funding Requirements

No Child Left Behind Act: Education Could Do More to Help States Better Define Graduation Rates and Improve Knowledge about Intervention Strategies

Nuclear Security: DOE Needs Better Information to Guide Its Expanded Recovery of Sealed Radiological Sources

Wind Power: Impacts on Wildlife and Government Responsibilities for Regulating Development and Protecting Wildlife

United Nations Documents:

Decent Work - Safe Work

The fight against racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance and the comprehensive implementation of and follow-up to the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action

First report of the General Committee

Investing in the Children of the Islamic World

Letter dated 2 September 2005 from the Chairman of the Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 1267 (1999) concerning Al-Qaida and the Taliban and associated individuals and entities addressed to the President of the Security Council

Monthly report of the Secretary-General on Darfur

Rights of the child: Report of the independent expert for the United Nations study on violence against children

Use of mercenaries as a means of violating human rights and impeding the exercise of the right of peoples to self-determination

Threatened and Endangered Species Recovery Act (TESRA)

From the Washington Post: "Setting the stage for the most sweeping restructuring of endangered species protections in three decades, the House Resources Committee yesterday approved legislation that would strengthen the hand of private property owners and make it harder for federal officials to set aside large swaths of habitat for imperiled plants and animals."

The website of the House Committee on Resources has extensive information on the proposed changes to the Endangered Species Act:

H.R. 3824, Threatened and Endangered Species Recovery Act (TESRA) of 2005 (bill text)

Background and Need of TESRA

Summary & Analysis

Section by section analysis

Implementation of The Endangered Species Act of 1973 (background report)

Prepared statements at the hearing on September 21, 2005

The THOMAS summary & status page for H.R. 3824 provides additional information.

Sources: "Rewrite of Endangered Species Law Approved: House to Vote Soon; Senate Could in 2006." Washington Post September 23, 2005.
"Sweeping changes in Endangered Species Act on the table." Missoulian September 23, 2005. A4.

Middle East Fork Hazardous Fuels Reduction FEIS

From the Bitterroot National Forest press release: "The final environmental impact statement (FEIS) for the Middle East Fork Hazardous Fuels Reduction Project has arrived from the printers and is available for public review. The Middle East Fork project is founded on community priorities established in the Community Fire Plan, and addresses the need to reduce fuels and improve the health of forests in the drainage east of Sula, Montana."

The Middle East Fork Hazardous Fuels Reduction FEIS is available for review on the Bitterroot National Forest website. Print copies were just received at the Mansfield Library and will be available shortly.

Source: "Activists removed from Bitterroot forest office during EIS press conference." Missoulian September 23, 2005. A1.

Non-profit Snowpack Report

From the Rocky Mountain Climate Organization press release: "At a news conference today at the offices of Denver Water, the Rocky Mountain Climate Organization (RMCO) released a report documenting that climate disruption is already underway in the West."

The full text of the report is available online.
Less Snow, Less Water: Climate Disruption in the West.

Some of the sources from the non-profit's report come from the federal government, including:

Water 2025 from the Department of the Interior

Water: The Potential Consequences of Climate Variability & Change for the Water Resources of the United States from the U.S. Global Change Research Program

Rocky Mountain/Great Basin Regional Climate Change Assessment written for the U.S. Global Change Research Program

Climate Change Science: An Analysis of Some Key Questions from the National Academies Press

U.S. Temperature and Precipitation Trends from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)

Emissions of Greenhouse Gases in the United States 2003 from the Energy Information Administration (EIA)

Source: "'Less Snow' brings the message home." Missoulian September 22, 2005. B1.

Indian Trust Accounting Progress Report

From the Department of Interior (DOI) press release: "The Department of the Interior has released a status report on its $100 million historical accounting effort that continues to examine account transactions relating to the Indian trust accounts of thousands of individual Indian beneficiaries as required by federal law. The progress report is being delivered to members of Congress, Indian tribal leaders, and posted for the public on www.doi.gov. Interior Secretary Gale A. Norton says the historical accounting effort is unprecedented."

View the full report on the DOI website: Historical Accounting for Individual Indian Monies: A Progress Report.

Responses to the DOI Progress Report are available on the Indian Trust website.

Source: "Interior Dept. Defends Its Keeping of Indian Books." Washington Post September 21, 2005.

Commission on Federal Election Reform

From the Commission's press release: "The 21-member private commission is organized by American University. Comprised of former Members of Congress, scholars and nonpartisan leaders, the group identified "five pillars" of election reform—voter registration, voter identification, voting technology, increased access to voting and nonpartisan election administration—and recommended ways to strengthen them."

Read the full text of the final report on the Commission on Federal Election Reform website: Building Confidence in U.S. Elections: Report of the Commission on Federal Election Reform.

Source: "Panel Proposes New Calendar for Primaries." New York Times September 19, 2005.

Friday Resource Round-Up

Documents in the News: Hurricane Katrina
The University of Michigan Library has assembled a large number of government documents pertaining to Hurricane Katrina.

FAA Believed Second 9/11 Plane Heading Towards NY for Emergency Landing: Released 9/11 Hijacking Reports Further Detail Confused U.S. Response
New reports recently added to the National Security Archive.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation's Compliance with the Attorney General's Investigative Guidelines
A report from the Department of Justice Office of the Inspector General.

Hurricane Evacuee Medical Intake Form
"This interim form is intended to be used for medical intake assessment and triage of evacuees entering a shelter facility or evacuation center." From the Department of Health and Human Services.

Interim Guidance for Healthcare Professionals Advising Travelers to Hurricane Affected Areas in the United States
Guidelines for health care professionals from the CDC.

Mapping Crime: Principle and Practice
Mapping Crime: Understanding Hot Spots
Two new reports from the National Criminal Justice Reference Service (NCJRS).

Sexual Behavior and Selected Health Measures: Men and Women 15-44 Years of Age, United States, 2002
A report of the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS).

Suicidal Thoughts among Youths Aged 12 to 17 with Major Depressive Episode
A National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) Report.

Supreme Court Nominations - Confirmed
Supreme Court Nominations - Not Confirmed
The Library of Congress Law Library has assembled a terrific collection of documents on Supreme Court nominations from 1968 through 1994 (when the last Associate Justice was confirmed).

World Energy "Areas To Watch"
A report from the Energy Information Administration (EIA) on key countries/areas: Bolivia, Caspian/Caucasus, Ecuador, Iran, Iraq, Libya, Nigeria, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, and Venezuela.

Census Bureau Reports:

Facts for Features: Unmarried and Single Americans Week

What It's Worth: Field of Training and Economic Status in 2001

Congressional Research Service (CRS) Reports:

Agricultural Disaster Assistance

Conventional Warheads For Long-Range Ballistic Missiles: Background and Issues for Congress

Defense Outsourcing: The OMB Circular A-76 Policy

Emergency Communications: The Emergency Alert System (EAS) and All-Hazard Warnings

An Emergency Communications Safety Net: Integrating 911 and Other Services

Emergency Supplemental Appropriations for Hurricane Katrina Relief

Federal Flood Insurance: The Repetitive Loss Problem

Hurricane Katrina: Fishing and Aquaculture Industries - Damage and Recovery

General Accountability Office (GAO) Reports:
The GAO was a busy bee this week.

Border Security: Opportunities to Increase Coordination of Air and Marine Assets

Border Security: Strengthened Visa Process Would Benefit from Additional Management Actions by State and DHS

Border Security: Strengthened Visa Process Would Benefit from Improvements in Staffing and Information Sharing

Defense Logistics: Better Strategic Planning Can Help Ensure DOD's Successful Implementation of Passive Radio Frequency Identification

GAO Reports and Testimonies Related to Disaster Preparedness, Response and Reconstruction

Highway Congestion: Intelligent Transportation Systems' Promise for Managing Congestion Falls Short, and DOT Could Better Facilitate Their Strategic Use

Information Technology: FBI Is Building Management Capabilities Essential to Successful System Deployments, but Challenges Remain

Prescription Drugs: Price Trends for Frequently Used Brand and Generic Drugs from 2000 through 2004

September 11: Monitoring of World Trade Center Health Effects Has Progressed, but Not for Federal Responders

Social Security Numbers: Federal and State Laws Restrict Use of SSNs, yet Gaps Remain

TANF: State Approaches to Screening for Domestic Violence Could Benefit from HHS Guidance

Understanding the Tax Reform Debate: Background, Criteria, and Questions

Veterans Affairs: The Critical Role of the Chief Information Officer Position in Effective Information Technology Management

United Nations Documents:

Economic Development in Africa

International Convention for the Suppression of Acts of Nuclear Terrorism

WIPO Gazette of International Marks

Rebuilding After Hurricane Katrina

From the New York Times: "President Bush called Thursday night for the rebuilding of the devastated Gulf Coast through the creation of a Gulf Opportunity Zone, a government enterprise that he said would provide help on taxes, housing, education and job training for the victims of Hurricane Katrina."

The transcript of the President's remarks is available on the White House website. The website also links to a Hurricane Katrina recovery fact sheet outlining the newly proposed initiatives.

The fact sheet refers to reimbursing states for costs incurred in sheltering evacuees. This week, an emergency declaration was approved for Montana, which will enable that reimbursement.

Various agencies are outlining their assistance for victims of Hurricane Katrina. The Department of Education, Department of Health and Human Services, Department of Labor, and the Department of Commerce, for instance, have sites detailing their efforts. The Department of Commerce has also set up the National Emergency Resource Registry to try to coordinate response efforts.

Sources: "Bush: U.S. to foot most of rebuild bill." Missoulian September 16, 2005. A1.
"Bush Pledges Federal Role in Rebuilding Gulf Coast." New York Times September 16, 2005.

Pledge of Allegiance Ruling

From the Missoulian: "A federal judge declared the reciting of the Pledge of Allegiance in public schools unconstitutional Wednesday, a decision that could put the divisive issue on track for another round of Supreme Court arguments."

The full opinion is available on the website of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California: The Rev. Dr. Michael A. Newdow, et al v. The Congress of the United States of America, et al.

The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals site lists four opinions associated with Newdow:

06/26/02

12/04/02

12/04/02

02/28/03

The recent Supreme Court decision pertaining to the Pledge of Allegiance is Elk Grove Unified School Dist. v. Newdow.

Source: "Federal judge: Pledge in school unconstitutional." Missoulian September 15, 2005. A10.

NTSB Report on Forest Service Plane Crash

From the NTSB probable cause report: "The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident as follows.
The pilot's misidentification of the airplane's location, which resulted in his improper decision to fly into the wrong drainage, and his failure to maintain terrain clearance while executing a turn to reverse course after he realized his navigational error. Contributing factors were the low visibility due to mist, obscuration of the mountainous terrain, and the pilot's lack of experience in back country flying."

You can read the full probable cause report, the report synopsis, the factual report, and the full narrative on the NTSB website.

Source: "Report blames pilot for Bob Marshall crash." Missoulian September 15, 2005. B1.

United Nations World Summit

From the United Nations press release: "The General Assembly this afternoon closed its fifty-ninth session approving the draft outcome document that will be the centrepiece of its 2005 World Summit, which will provide an expected 170 global leaders with what the Secretary-General has called 'a once-in-a-generation opportunity' to forge a global consensus on development, security, human rights and United Nations renewal."

You can find the Draft Outcome Document on the 2005 World Summit website.

The United Nations Dag Hammarskjold Library is posting updates on documents, resolutions, and speeches through the UN Pulse weblog. The blog links to the latest remarks of the Secretary-General, the UN's webcast link (for live video of the summit), and more.

The State Department has posted a transcript of the President's remarks at the meeting and a transcript of the State Department briefing on the UN summit declaration. The White House has also provided the President's remarks before the UN Security Council.

Source: "General Assembly OKs document for world leaders at U.N." Missoulian September 14, 2005. A10.

Patriot Act Gag Order Lifted

From the Washington Post: "For the second time since the USA Patriot Act broadened the FBI's power to demand private records in secret, a federal judge ruled yesterday that it is unconstitutional for the government to impose an automatic and permanent ban on public disclosure of any case in which it uses that power.

"U.S. District Judge Janet C. Hall found that the statutory gag order, invoked every time the FBI uses a 'national security letter' to demand information in terrorism or espionage cases, violated the First Amendment rights of a Connecticut library consortium that is refusing to cooperate with the FBI. The consortium, known in court papers thus far as 'John Doe,' wants to identify itself and make public its opposition to use of such letters against library patrons."

Judge Hall stayed her order until September 20th in order to give the government an opportunity to appeal the decision. The ACLU has posted the "public version" of the judge's order on their website.

A previous post about this lawsuit appeared on this blog on August 26, 2005.

Source: "Court Vacates an FBI Gag Order." Washington Post September 10, 2005.

Public Comment wanted on proposed Dietz Coal Bed Natural Gas (CBNG) Project

From the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation press release:

The Montana Department of Natural Resources (DNRC), Trust Land Management Division, has completed an Environmental Assessment (EA) for the Dietz Coal Bed Natural Gas (CBNG) Project currently proposed by Pinnacle Gas Resources, Inc. A portion of the proposed plan of development would occur on a tract of state school trust land. The state tract is comprised of lands in Section 36 (All), Township 8 South, Range 41 East in Bighorn County. The proposed activity is located northeast of the existing CX Field, which produces coal bed methane (CBM) gas from the Fort Union formation.

According to Bobbi Coughlin, DNRC Mineral Management Petroleum Engineer, the proposed action on the state school trust section would consist of drilling, completion, operation and eventual reclamation of 24 CBNG wells, including associated evaporation pits, storage ponds, flow lines and power lines. Pinnacleís plan of development also includes 137 wells on private land within Township 8 South, Ranges 41 and 42 East and Township 9 South, Range 42 East. The DNRCís trust land management authority covers activities on state school trust land. Each of the proposed wells seeks to produce CBNG from specific zones within the Fort Union formation, which range in depth from approximately 200 feet to 900 feet.

It is estimated that the project will commence this year with completion within two years. The production lifetime of the wells will be approximately ten to fifteen years. Individual wells and related facilities will be reclaimed at the end of their useful life.

DNRC is asking for public comment regarding the project proposal, which will be presented to the State Board of Land Commissioners at their October 17, 2005 meeting.
Correspondence can be submitted either electronically or hard copy to the following:
Bobbi Jo Coughlin
Petroleum Engineer
Department of Natural Resources and Conservation
Trust Land Management Division
P.O. Box 201601
Helena, MT 59620-1601
bjcoughlin@mt.gov

For more information on coalbed methane in Montana see the resources listed below:
Coalbed Methane - DNRC
Coalbed methane and water policy in Montana - Environmental Quality Council
Coal bed methane - Department of Environmental Quality