By Anne Hedges, Bozeman Daily Chronicle
When Great Falls residents learned that a coal plant was being planned in their peaceful rural community in 2005, they had concerns and sought more information.
In 2006, when a developer wanted to build a transmission line going into Canada, people in the area had questions — as most of us would. And when a large industrial operation makes moves to locate a facility near homes, residents always want more information.
Until now, a 50-year-old Montana law has been the mechanism by which neighbors have been able to secure details about proposed developments. This law provides the public with specifics on a project’s location, environmental and social impacts, and harm to wildlife, cultural, and historic resources — such as sacred tribal sites or sites used by Lewis and Clark.
