From the Thursday, February 24, 2005 online edition of the Missoulian . . .
Montana Sen. Max Baucus is fording an international water dispute, traveling north of the border Friday for talks about Canadian coal mine plans.
Throughout the past year, the Democrat has been joined by his Republican counterparts in calling for a take-it-slow approach to energy development north of Glacier National Park.
The latest Canadian coal mine proposal, he said, would "have no economic benefits - only environmental consequences - for Montana."
So on Friday, Baucus travels to Fernie, B.C., to meet with Canadian officials and citizens who likewise are concerned about coal development and potential downstream impacts to water quality.
Joining the five-term senator will be dozens of Montanans, including representatives from the 2,500-member Flathead Lakers. Also participating are members of the Flathead Basin Commission, a group that includes local, tribal, state and federal land managers, charged by the governor's office with monitoring threats to Flathead water quality.
Read the entire article . . .