Published: Friday, April 21, 2006 KALISPELL, Mont. (AP) - Montana state environmental and wildlife agencies have sent an 18-page letter to British Columbia officials listing concerns about a proposed coal mine north of Glacier National Park.

"It's page after page of concerns," said Hal Harper, chief policy adviser for Montana Gov. Brian Schweitzer. "It's quite extensive and specific."

In recent years, Canadian officials have declined to give Cline Mining Co. a mining permit in the disputed area but the company has applied for another one.

Cline wants to remove a mountain of dirt overlying the Foisey Creek coal deposit, a plan being evaluated by B.C.'s environmental assessment office. Among the top concerns is that the timeline set forth by the Toronto-based Cline "does not adequately allow for a comprehensive environmental review," Harper said.

Montana officials expect it could take up to three years to collect baseline data about the area surrounding the mine but Cline wants to be in full production by December 2007.

State officials also are concerned the regulatory process in Canada does not fully take into account the effects of other development in the region. Gold, coal and coal-bed methane for the area north of Glacier are being discussed.

"Cumulative impacts will be addressed," Kathy Eichenberger, B.C.'s liaison to Montana's Flathead Basin Commission, said Friday in a telephone interview.

The letter was received and will be considered as part of the Cline proposal's environmental assessment, Eichenberger said from Nelson, B.C.

The letter was mailed last week by the Montana departments of Environmental Quality, Natural Resources and Conservation and Fish, Wildlife and Parks, along with the Flathead Basin Commission and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Canadian hunters and outfitters have joined the growing opposition to the proposed coal mine north of Glacier, saying the Flathead River watershed is no place for heavy industry. Hunting groups against the mine include the Southern Guide-Outfitter Association and the Fernie (B.C.) Rod and Gun Club.