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Montana State Legislature

2011-2012 Environmental Quality Council

The EQC is a state legislative committee created by the 1971 Montana Environmental Policy Act (MEPA). The EQC has 17 members: 6 senators; 6 representatives; 4 public members; and 1 nonvoting member who represents the Governor. The statutory duties of the Council are described in 75-1-324, MCA, of MEPA and in other sections of the Montana Code Annotated.

Representative Duane Ankney (R)--Vice Chair
Representative Jerry Bennet (R)
Representative Bill McChesney (D)
Representative Michele Reinhart (D)
Representative Cary L Smith (R)
Representative Kathleen Williams (D)
Senator John Brenden (R)
Senator Bradley Maxon Hamlett (D)
Senator Jim Keane (D)--Chair
Senator Rick Ripley (R)
Senator Chas V Vincent (R)
Senator Gene Vuckovitch (D)

Public Members

Mr. Dexter Busby
Ms. Diane Conradi
Ms. Mary Fitzpatrick
Mr. John Youngberg

Governer's Designee

Agenda
July 18, 2012 minutes
July 19, 2012 minutes
Memo to EQC about July meeting
HJR 32 - Study Management of State Parks and Recreation and Heritage Programs
      — LC 9000 amendments, requested by EQC members
      — LC 9000 amendments, requested by Montana Game Wardens Assn.
      — LC 9010 - Request further study of the Montana Heritage Commission
      — HJR 32 draft report
      — Impacts of HB 370, light motor vehicle registration fee
HB 142- Review of Statutorily-Required Agency Reports and Advisory Councils
— Basin location and adjudication status, DNRC and Water Court
— Land banking program report
Agency Oversight
— EQC Administrative Rule Summary
— SB 35 rule review memo
HB 142 (cont.)
— LC 9022 - Eliminate Alternative Livestock Advisory Council
— Draft template for agency compliance and enforcement reports
Agency Oversight (cont.)
      — Update on Fire Suppression Costs, LFD
      — Agency legislative proposals, DEQ
      — Agency legislative proposals, DNRC
      — Oil Pipeline Safety Review Council draft report
      — HB 613, Petroleum tank release closure report, DEQ
HB 142 (cont.)
      — Integrated Waste Management Plan, DEQ
      — TMDL progress report, DEQ
      — Numeric nutrient standards report, DEQ
      — Jobs report re new coal leasing laws, DOLI
MEPA study report, DEQ
Publications update
      — Cover memo
      — Montana Index of Environmental Permits
      — Eminent Domain Handbook

Agenda
May 1, 2012 minutes
May 2, 2012 - Tour Virginia and Nevada Cities
May 3, 2012 minutes
Memo to EQC about May meeting
HB 142 - Review of Statutorily-Required Agency Reports and Advisory Councils
      — Future Fisheries Improvement Program report, FWP
      — Alternative Livestock Advisory Council, FWP
      — Boating Advisory Council, FWP
      — Private Land/Public Wildlife Council report, FWP
      — Basin location and adjudication status, DNRC and Water Court
      — Jobs report re new coal leasing laws, DOLI
HB 142 and SJR 26 - Combined Duties
      — SJR 26 - Migratory Game Bird Program Update, FWP
      — Wetlands Protection Advisory Council, FWP
      — Upland Game Bird Enhancement Program report, FWP
      — Upland Game Bird Citizens' Advisory Council, FWP
HB 142 - EQC Requested Bill Drafts
      — Cover memo
      — LC 9020
      — LC 9021
Eminent Domain
— Public Uses and Eminent Domain, draft study report
HJR 32 - Study Management of State Parks and Recreation and Heritage Programs
      — HJR 32 cover memo
      — LC 9000
      — LC 9001
      — LC 9002
      — Heritage properties managed by state agencies, Montana Heritage Preservation and Development Commission
      — Long range building appropriations request, Montana Heritage Preservation and Development Commission
EQC Administrative Rule Summary
Wolf Program Budget Income Sources, FWP

Agenda
March 7, 2012 minutes
March 8, 2012 minutes
Memo to EQC about March meeting
HJR 32 - Study Management of State Parks and Recreation and Heritage Programs
Eminent Domain
— Eminent domain and public use case law
— Letter to EQC from Law and Justice Interim Committee
HB 142 - Review of Statutorily-Required Agency Reports
      — Wildland urban interface report, DNRC
      — Renewable Resource Grant and Loan Program report, DNRC
      — Instream flow leasing report, FWP
      — Basin location and adjudication status, DNRC and Water Court
HB 142 - Review of Statutorily-Required Advisory Councils
      — Water and Wastewater Operators' Advisory Council, DEQ
      — Air Pollution Control Advisory Council, DEQ
      — Water Pollution Control Advisory Council, DEQ
      — Small Business Assistance Advisory Council, DEQ
EQC Administrative Rule Review Summary
Wolf Management
      — Wolf Program Budget, FWP
      — Gray Wolf Conservation and Management Plan Final EIS, FWP
      — Summary of county bounty statutes and local authority to regulate wildlife
      — Montana wolf hunting season, FWP
      — 2011 Wolf Hunting Season Report, FWP
KRY site cleanup progress report, DEQ

Agenda
January 11, 2012 minutes
January 12, 2012 minutes
Memo to EQC about January meeting
HJR 32 - Study Management of State Parks and Recreation and Heritage Programs
      — HJR 32 cover memo
      — Administration of state parks in and near the Rocky Mountain region
      — Western Governors’ Association “Get Out West!” Initiative Information
Eminent Domain
      — Public Uses and Eminent Domain
      — HB 198 (2011) Litigation Update
      — Eminent Domain in the Public Utility Space, Scott Hempling
HB 142 - Review of Statutorily-Required Agency Reports
      — Compliance and enforcement report, DOAg
      — Compliance and enforcement report, DNRC
      — Compliance and enforcement report, DEQ
      — Clark Fork River Basin Task Force
      — Water Leasing Study, FWP
      — Jobs report re new coal leasing laws, DOLI
      — HB 613, Petroleum tank release closure report, DEQ
      — Basin location and adjudication status, DNRC and Water Court
EQC Administrative Rule Review Summary
Wolf Management Update
      — Hunting season harvest data, FWP
      — Hunting season harvest map, FWP
      — Hunting season extension document for FWP Commission
      — Hunting season regulations, FWP
      — Work-financial plan between FWP and USDA Wildlife Services
      — U.S. Department of Interior letter regarding funding for wolf management

Assigned Studies

HJR 32 (2011): Study Management Of State Parks And Recreation And Heritage Programs

HJ 32
HJR 32 final report
HJ 32: A summary of existing programs and past reports on state parks, outdoor recreation, and heritage resource programs
Montana Historical Society Financial-Compliance Audit, April 1999
State Parks Program Performance Audit, February 2001
Montana Historical Society Financial-Compliance Audit, March 2001
Montana Historical Society Financial-Compliance Audit, February 2003
Virginia and Nevada City Historic Site Management Performance Audit, February 2003
Issues Impacting the Fiscal Health of the State Parks Program, LFC, November 19, 2009
State Parks: Update, LFC, June 2, 2010
Property Analysis State Park Lands, LFC, June 2, 2010
Report to the 2011 Legislature, Montana Heritage Preservation and Development Commission
2010 Economic Impact Survey of Visitors to Montana State Parks
Montanan's Opinions Regarding Montana State Park Funding: A Montana Poll Finding, January 2011
HJR 32 Historic Preservation Historic Preservation Study, ELG, 2009-2010
Administration of state parks in and near the Rocky Mountain region
Western Governors? Association ?Get Out West!? Initiative Information
HJR 32 - Financial and other information requested by the EQC
Heritage properties managed by state agencies, Montana Heritage Preservation and Development Commission
Long range building appropriations request, Montana Heritage Preservation and Development Commission
See also Proposed Legislation in tab below

SJ 26 (2011): Review Specific DFWP And DEQ Programs And Activities

SJ 26
KRY Site Status Sheet, DEQ
KRY site cleanup progress report, DEQ
Petroleum tank release closure report, DEQ
Petroleum mixing zone application update, DEQ

HB 142 (2011): Review Advisory Councils And Reports

Advisory Councils

Water and Wastewater Operators' Advisory Council, DEQ
Air Pollution Control Advisory Council, DEQ
Water Pollution Control Advisory Council, DEQ
Small Business Assistance Advisory Council, DEQ
Alternative Livestock Advisory Council, FWP
Boating Advisory Council, FWP
Wetlands Protection Advisory Council, FWP
Upland Game Bird Citizens' Advisory Council, FWP
See also Proposed Legislation in tab below

Reports

HB 142
Memo on HB 142 requirements
Compliance and enforcement report, DOAg
Compliance and enforcement report, DNRC
Compliance and enforcement report, DEQ
Clark Fork River Basin Task Force, August 2011
Water Leasing Study, FWP
HB 613, Petroleum tank release closure report, DEQ
Wildland urban interface report, DNRC
Renewable Resource Grant and Loan Program report, DNRC
Instream flow leasing report, FWP
Future Fisheries Improvement Program report, FWP
Private Land/Public Wildlife Council report, FWP
SJR 26 - Migratory Game Bird Program Update, FWP
Upland Game Bird Enhancement Program report, FWP
Land banking Program report, DNRC
Solid waste management report, DEQ
TMDL progress report, DEQ
Numeric nutrient standards report, July 2012
FWP maintenance account report
Integrated Waste Management Plan update, DEQ
Numeric nutrient standards report, September 2012
Clark Fork River Basin Task Force, September 2012

Statutory Duties

HB 22 (2005): Adjudication Status

Basin location and adjudication status, May 2011
Basin location and adjudication status, September 2011
Basin location and adjudication status, January 2012
Basin location and adjudication status, March 2012
Basin location and adjudication status, May 2012
Basin location and adjudication status, July 2012
Basin location and adjudication status, September 2012

HB 198 (2011): Eminent Domain

HB 198
Public Uses and Eminent Domain, final report
HB 198 Litigation Update
Eminent domain and public use case law
Letter to EQC from Law and Justice Interim Committee
Public Uses and Eminent Domain, draft study report

HB 533 (2011)

Jobs report re new coal leasing laws, DOLI, September 2011
Jobs report re new coal leasing laws, DOLI, January 2012
Jobs report re new coal leasing laws, DOLI, May 2012
Jobs report re new coal leasing laws, DOLI, July 2012
Jobs report re new coal leasing laws, DOLI, September 2012

Wildfire Management

Fire Expenditure Summary, FY 2013, DNRC
Fire Season 2012, Hard Work & Hard Times, DNRC
Wildfire Smoke and Air Quality Discussion Materials, DEQ
Update on Fire Suppression Costs, September 2012, LFD

Wolf Management Update

Hunting season harvest data, as of December 20, 2011, FWP
Hunting season harvest map, as of December 1, 2011, FWP
Hunting season extension document for FWP Commission
Hunting season regulations, FWP
Work-financial plan between FWP and USDA Wildlife Services
U.S. Department of Interior letter regarding funding for wolf management
Wolf Program Budget, FWP
Gray Wolf Conservation and Management Plan Final EIS, FWP
Summary of county bounty statutes and local authority to regulate wildlife
Montana wolf hunting season, March 8, 2012 update, FWP
2011 Wolf Hunting Season Report, FWP
Wolf Program Budget Income Sources, FWP

Complete List of Environmental Policy Office Publications

Proposed Legislation

LC 9000 - Creating the State Parks and Recreation Board and renaming the Fish, Wildlife, and Parks Commission
Draft 1: April 16, 2012 (Draft for public comment)
LC 9001 - Creating the State Parks, Recreation, and Heritage Board, renaming the Fish, Wildlife, and Parks Commission, and eliminating the Montana Heritage and Preservation Development Commission
Draft 1: April 16, 2012 (No longer under consideration)
LC 9002 - Creating a State Parks, Recreation, and Heritage Board, renaming the Fish, Wildlife, and Parks Commission, and transforming the Montana Heritage and Preservation Development Commission into an advisory council
Draft 1: April 16, 2012 (No longer under consideration)
LC 9010 - Request further study of the Montana Heritage Commission
Draft 1: June 29, 2012 (Draft for public comment)
LC 9020 - Eliminating the requirement that the DNRC submit a progress report for the designation of wildland-urban interface parcels
Draft 1: April 16, 2012 (Draft for public comment)
Public comments summary
LC 9021 - Eliminating the Air Pollution Advisory Control Council and its functions
Draft 1: April 16, 2012 (Draft for public comment)
Public comments summary
LC 9022 - Eliminating the Alternative Livestock Advisory Council
Draft 1: May 24, 2012 (Draft for public comment)
Public comments summary

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