Tag Archives: DEQ

DEQ Compliance and Enforcement in Response to COVID-19

By News,

Source: MT DEQ March 31, 2020 – The Montana Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) is charged with implementing programs and enforcing environmental laws that ensure we protect a clean and healthful environment. Under extraordinary circumstances, such as during an emergency response, DEQ may need to balance our enforcement and compliance responsibilities with the need to

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Board of Environmental Review Meeting: February 5, 2016

By Public Policy, ,

Board of Environmental Review Meeting: February 5, 2016

Summary Items:

  • The EPA approved Montana’s Water Quality Standards for EC and SAR adopted in 2003 and 2006. DEQ staff noted the action would have no impact on their work as the State had already been applying the new standards. It does mean those standards will be applied to federal actions.
  • The Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) reported they are still collecting data for electrical conductivity (EC) and sodium absorption rate (SAR) on Otter Creek for purposes of determining site specific water quality standards. They are working with stakeholders and the EPA to apply the “narrative” standards. Direction is needed for purposes of implementing Section 75-5-306 (MCA) that speaks to not having to treat water that is discharged to a level that exceeds the naturally occurring condition.

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