This guide is a practicaltool that provides guidelines for inderstanding and monitoring soil and water issue of concern in areas of coal bed methane (CBM) The purpose of this is to empower landowner/tribal member in CBM development areas to 1) Understand the process of CBM development, 2) Understand potential benefits, possible impacts and issues of concern in areas of CBM development 3) Inventory the current condition of land and water resources on your property or operation, 4) Use this inventory for negotiation during the CBM developments process, and as a baselien for tracking impacts from CBM development, 5) Understand management practices to rpotect your land and water resources once CBM development begins, and 5) Learn how to identify situations for more detailed monitoring, should the need arise.