Railroad decision applauded

The Tongue River Railroad Co. — the developer of the Otter Creek coal tracts — and the state of Montana got a well-deserved break this week, with a federal panel rejecting attempts to block construction of a 130-mile railroad that is necessary to make those coal tracts viable.

The Surface Transportation Board found that opponents of the rail line failed to show why the line needed further environmental review.

Considering that the line was first permitted more than 25 years ago, it would have taken some real serious legal conjuring to turn the railroad into a hazard at this late date.

It’s one more case of environmental litigators using any tactic they can think of to stall or stop projects. But, unfortunately, the result isn’t always so positive.

Frankly, there needs to be an attitude adjustment regarding resource development in Montana, one that makes it clear to investors and entrepreneurs that the state is open for business. Prolonged and costly delays just don’t send a very reassuring message.

In this case, the state also is a winner. Arch Coal Inc. of St. Louis has paid out more than $159 million for leasing rights on the Otter Creek tracts, including about $80 million to the state of Montana.

That money is included in the state’s budget for the next biennium, and if it disappeared because of the leases being rendered infeasible by litigation, the state would have to make up for it somehow.

Natural resources, including coal, are an asset for the state of Montana, its taxpayers and its schools. We should not let it go to waste.

ORGAN DONATION is an easy way to leave a legacy of life after you die.

Last year alone, 19 people who died in Montana donated life-saving organs to 52 people. But there still are more than 200 people in this state awaiting various transplants.

Less than 1 percent of all deaths qualify for organ donation, but each that does makes an amazing impact on one or many lives.

To help those in need, it’s simple to register as an organ donor.

The easiest way is to sign up when renewing a driver’s license. Other ways are to go online to DonateLifeToday.com or call 877-275-5269 for a registry brochure.