EXHIBIT 24.5


                                POWER OF ATTORNEY

             KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that James C. Sevem, President of
Eastern Royalty Corp. and whose signature appears below, hereby constitutes and
appoints Irl F. Engelhardt, Richard A. Navarre and Jeffery L. Klinger, or any
one of them, his true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power
of substitution and resubstitution, for him and in his name, place and stead, in
any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments to the Registration
Statement, including post-effective amendments, and registration statements
filed pursuant to Rule 462 under the Securities Act of 1933, and to file the
same, with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith,
with the Securities and Exchange Commission, and does hereby grant unto said
attorneys in-fact and agents, and each of them, full power and authority to do
and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in
and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he might or
could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys
in-fact and agents, or any of them, or their or his substitutes, may lawfully do
or cause to be done by virtue hereof.


                                           By: /s/ JAMES C. SEVEM
                                              ------------------------
                                                  James C. Sevem
                                                    President

Date: March 3, 2004