Environment (Water Quality)

introduced · Montana · Legislature Feb 21, 2025

LC 3452: Repeal numeric nutrient standards

This bill directs Montana's Department of Environmental Quality to remove all references to numeric nutrient standards from state administrative rules and repeal the 2015 base numeric nutrient standards that were previously adopted. It affects water quality regulators, wastewater treatment facilities, and other entities subject to nutrient discharge regulations by eliminating specific numerical limits for pollutants like nitrogen and phosphorus. The legislation also eliminates the Nutrient Work Group and amends state law to shift toward narrative nutrient standards, which describe water quality goals in descriptive terms rather than specific numerical thresholds. By repealing these standards, the bill aims to reduce regulatory burdens on municipal wastewater systems and align state policy with the 2021 legislative decision to move away from numeric criteria.

Topics ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentBill removes numeric nutrient standards and eliminates numerical limits for pollutants like nitrogen and phosphorus, weakening environmental protections and allowing increased pollution.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Water Quality

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introduced · Montana · Legislature Jan 31, 2025

LC 587: Exempt subdivision, water/sewer plans from environmental review

This bill exempts the state department from conducting environmental reviews for certain subdivision applications and water or sewer system plans, allowing local governments and independent reviewers to handle these assessments instead. It delegates review authority for small public water and sewer systems to local government divisions that establish satisfactory review programs, with local entities receiving 90% of review fees. The legislation also clarifies that storm drainage review requirements do not apply to single-family residential parcels of 5 acres or larger with no more than 25% impervious surface, and establishes certification procedures for local departments and independent reviewers to ensure competency in conducting these reviews.

Topics ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentBill exempts subdivision and water/sewer plans from environmental review, weakening environmental protections and shifting authority to local entities.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Recycling Water Quality

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introduced · Montana · Legislature Feb 23, 2025

LC 2392: Feasibility allowance for nondegradation policy

This bill establishes a feasibility allowance process that allows energy development projects to temporarily exceed water quality standards for high-quality waters under specific conditions. It directly affects energy developers, environmental agencies, and communities near water bodies by creating a formal mechanism to evaluate whether proposed infrastructure projects can proceed without causing significant water quality degradation. The legislation defines key terms such as "energy development project," "high-quality waters," and "associated supporting infrastructure" to clarify what qualifies for the allowance and sets rules for how the Department of Environmental Quality must assess feasibility requests. By amending existing statutes and administrative rules, the bill provides the department with authority to issue permits that permit limited water quality changes while maintaining overall protection standards.

Topics ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentBill allows temporary exceedance of water quality standards for energy projects, weakening environmental protections and permitting potential pollution.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Water Quality

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signed · Montana · House May 19, 2025

HB 684: Eliminate deadline for water quality data review

HB 684 eliminates a specific deadline that previously required the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) to review data used for water quality assessments. This bill amends Section 75-5-702, MCA, removing the requirement for the DEQ to complete these data reviews within a set timeframe. This change primarily affects the DEQ's operational procedures for monitoring state waters and assessing their quality, as well as individuals and entities who submit water quality data for review.

Topics ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentEliminates mandatory deadline for DEQ water quality data reviews, weakening oversight and environmental accountability procedures.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Water Quality

introduced · Montana · Legislature Mar 29, 2025

LC 1155: Revise categorical exclusions from nondegradation authorization

This Montana bill (LC 1155) requires the Department of Environmental Quality to amend a rule by January 2026, creating a new pathway for counties to exclude certain land uses from water quality review. Specifically, counties must demonstrate two conditions: (1) no drinking water wells in the area, and (2) absorption trenches (e.g., septic systems) located at least 1,000 feet from high-quality surface waters. The bill appropriates $10,000 from the general fund to support this rule change and provides guidance for the exclusion process. It takes effect upon passage, with the funding provision starting July 1, 2025.

Topics ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentCreates exemptions from water quality reviews for counties meeting minimal conditions, weakening regulatory oversight of land uses near water sources.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Drinking Water Water Quality

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signed · Montana · House May 5, 2025

HB 664: Repeal numeric nutrient standards

This bill revises Montana's water quality standards by repealing the existing numeric nutrient standards. It directs the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) to remove all references to these standards from administrative rules and repeal the specific circular (DEQ-12A) that established them. The bill aims to address the previous standards, which were described as unachievable and burdensome for entities like Montana's municipal wastewater treatment systems. Additionally, it requires the DEQ to update related guidance and policies and eliminates the Nutrient Work Group.

Topics ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentRepeals numeric nutrient standards for water quality, removing regulatory limits on pollutants. Described as 'unachievable and burdensome,' indicating intent to weaken environmental protections.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Water Quality

signed · Montana · House May 19, 2025

HB 685: Feasibility allowance for nondegradation policy

HB 685 establishes a "feasibility allowance" as part of the state's water quality nondegradation policy. This allows individuals or entities seeking to degrade high-quality state waters to request this allowance when working to meet water quality standards. The bill revises certain definitions, including expanding who is considered an "interested person" to include those requesting such an allowance. It also amends administrative rules and grants rulemaking authority to the Department of Environmental Quality to implement these new provisions, directly affecting industries and projects that impact state waters.

Topics ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentAllows degradation of high-quality waters via 'feasibility allowance,' weakening nondegradation policy protections for water quality.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Water Quality

died · Montana · Senate May 23, 2025

SB 349: Declare authority over existing fossil-fuel fired electric generating units

SB 349 would have transferred authority over air and water quality regulations for existing fossil fuel power plants in Montana from the federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to the state Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), making DEQ the sole permitting authority for these facilities. It claims federal EPA rules lack authority to restrict plant operations without requiring "significant economic investment" from plant owners and utilities. The bill includes a contingency that would void it if the EPA repeals two specific 2024 rules (89 Fed. Reg. 38508 and 39798). This bill died in committee in May 2025 and never became law.

Topics ✗ EnergyOpposes EnergyBill transfers EPA regulatory authority for fossil fuel plants to state, claiming federal rules require "significant economic investment". This weakens federal environmental oversight, favoring fossil fuel operations over clean energy transition.90% confidence ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentBill transfers EPA environmental authority to state DEQ, claiming federal rules require costly investments. This weakens federal oversight for fossil fuel plants, reducing regulatory burden and likely increasing pollution.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Water Quality

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