Montana News: AP-MT-2ndNewsMinute

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r j AP-MT--2ndNewsMinute     04-09 0241
^AP-MT--2nd NewsMinute,0208<

     
^Here is the latest Montana news from The Associated Press<
^

     DENVER (AP) _ National experts are reviewing what‘s known about
the effects of coal-bed methane gas production on water in the
Rocky Mountain West. A meeting of a National Academy of Sciences
committee concludes today in Denver, amid a natural gas boom in the
Rockies that includes coal-bed methane drilling.

     

     UNDATED (AP) _ A new federal report says many underground coal
mines lack stockpiles of breathable air and communications gear for
trapped workers nearly two years after Congress required the
industry to install more safety equipment. The Government
Accountability Office report blames the federal Mine Safety and
Health Administration.

     

     VERMILLION, S.D. (AP) _ Crews are building huge sandbars on the
Missouri River near Vermillion, South Dakota, as nesting sites for
two birds protected under the Endangered Species Act. The least
tern and the piping plover (PLOH‘-ver) can camouflage their nests
in the bare sand, and use the river and shoreline for food. The
sand bars also offer protection from ground predators.

     

     HELENA, Mont. (AP) _ Montana‘s congressional delegation has
introduced legislation to establish a $1 commemorative coin for the
100-year anniversary of Glacier National Park. The coin would be
minted in 2010 and sold to collectors, with the proceeds going to
the nonprofit Glacier Fund.

     

     

     (Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

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