A proposed 121-mile coal railroad in southeastern Montana is seeking its first easement through state-owned property - a fish hatchery near the Yellowstone River where endangered sturgeon are raised.

The Tongue River Railroad has the potential to spur a major expansion of coal mining in Montana. The hatchery sits along the line's proposed route near Miles City.

Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks Commissioners are to vote on the 25-acre easement request Wednesday.

Hatchery officials have said they're concerned about possible derailments and vibrations from trains that could disrupt breeding fish. But because the railroad's developers have federal condemnation authority, the state is considering granting the easement in exchange for a $25 million insurance policy paid for by the railroad.