With the rapid increase in Coal Bed Natural Gas (CBNG) development during the second half of the 1990?s has come an increasing concern from operators and government land managers over how to properly address the many issues, especially environmental issues, that are unique and singular to this development. It is important for operators, government land managers, and regulators to recognize that the operating parameters, production techniques, and environmental issues associated with CBNG are not only different from conventional oil and gas development, but that these elements can also vary, especially in the Western States, from state to state and basin to basin. The many differences associated with the development and production of CBNG, both from a regional aspect and as compared to conventional oil and gas, has created the need for a means to develop a consistent approach in addressing the complexities of CBNG development. This need for adopting a consistent approach in addressing the unique production and environmental aspects associated with CBNG is the basis of this project, the development of a comprehensive CBNG Handbook. This CBNG Handbook serves as the means for informing operators, government land managers, and regulators on issues that are not only unique to CBNG development, but are unique to a particular state, area of operation, or basin. The Handbook serves as an informational reference by providing summaries on such elements as environmental resources that are common in the Western States and by listing additional useful or vital sources of information that exist in the public domain, especially those sources that are available electronically and therefore most accessible. This CBNG Handbook is to serve as guidance to stakeholders. Because of the differences and complexities associated with CBNG production, many states have adopted the requirement for a CBNG development plan or project plan. CBNG operations on federal lands and minerals may require that an Environmental Assessment (EA) be conducted. This comprehensive CBNG Handbook serves as both an informational and guidance document and perhaps most importantly it serves as an aid to stakeholders to help them focus limited environmental resources where they are most needed.