State environmental council to talk biomass

The bipartisan Environmental Quality Council will meet Jan. 7-8 in Helena to consider a variety of issues, including biomass energy, noxious weeds and the disposal of e-waste.

Biomass energy has been a particular area of interest to Lincoln County in recent years with various projects that have been suggested.

Rep. Chas Vincent of Libby is the presiding officer of the council.

As part of an ongoing study of biomass as an energy source in Montana, the council will hear from Todd Morgan, of the University of Montana, about the availability of biomass from forests, and from Brian Spangler, of the Department of Environmental Quality, about the use of agricultural waste for biomass.

The council also is scheduled to:

• Hear a panel discussion about ways to improve enforcement of noxious weed laws.

• Discuss e-waste and ways to enhance recycling opportunities in Montana, especially in rural areas.

• Discuss ways to encourage landowners to provide access to their property to recreationists and tourists.

• Learn about the status of a plan to change the leasing rates for state-owned home sites and cabin sites in the wake of property tax reappraisals.

• Hear an update on 2009 fire season costs.

• Hear an update on wolf management, the first state wolf hunt, and ongoing litigation regarding the removal of the gray wolf from the endangered species list.

• Learn about rule changes the Department Environmental Quality is considering that would govern the way it administers the state Comprehensive Environmental Cleanup Responsibility Act.

The meeting will begin at 8:30 a.m. each day in Room 172 of the State Capitol. The public is welcome to attend and will have an opportunity to comment on the council’s work. A complete agenda is available on the legislative Web site at www.leg.mt.gov/eqc .

 The EQC is a state legislative committee created by the 1971 Montana Environmental Policy Act. The council has 17 members – six senators, six representatives, four members of the public and one non-voting member who represents the governor.

The public can watch or listen to the EQC meeting on the legislative website at www.leg.mt.gov or over the state public access television network, TVMT. A list of TVMT channels is available at www.leg.mt.gov/tvmt .