• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Digital News Updates
  • Home
  • News
  • Politics
  • Business

DEQ Seeks Public Input on Draft Programmatic Environmental Assessment for New Well Drilling

August 31, 2024

The Montana Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) has released a draft Programmatic Environmental Assessment (EA) for public review and comment. The draft EA evaluates the environmental impacts of drilling regulated wells and constructing associated facilities at proposed new locations across Montana. The public has 30 days to submit comments on the draft, which is available for review from August 28 to September 27, 2024.

A Programmatic EA is a comprehensive analysis of the potential environmental effects associated with a set of related actions, programs, or policies, as defined under ARM 17.4.603 (15). This type of assessment offers a broad overview of potential impacts and provides coverage under the Montana Environmental Policy Act (MEPA) for the entire state.

The proposed Programmatic EA aims to streamline the review process for new water system applications by allowing for more efficient and targeted evaluations. It also seeks to enhance communication and collaboration between project owners and regulators, maintaining a robust public notice and comment process.

According to MEPA guidelines, agencies have the discretion to conduct a programmatic review when dealing with repetitive or related actions. Given that the impacts from well drilling are generally consistent across Montana, the DEQ’s draft EA covers common impacts and alternatives associated with well and facility installations.

If approved, the Programmatic EA would replace the individual Environmental Assessments previously required for each new well or facility location. Applicants would still need to submit applications to the DEQ, which would then use a Categorical Exclusion checklist to determine if a project falls within the scope of the Programmatic EA. This checklist ensures that all applications are assessed under the broader EA framework.

Projects with anticipated impacts beyond the scope of the Programmatic EA would necessitate a supplemental review, including additional public comment on a draft supplemental EA.

DEQ remains committed to public involvement throughout the process. All EAs, including this draft Programmatic EA, will be available for public review and feedback before any final decisions are made.

To view the draft programmatic EA, request a hard copy of the document, or learn how to submit comments, visit DEQ’s website at: https://deq.mt.gov/News/publiccomment-folder/engineering-programmatic-08-28-2024. 

By: DNU staff

Filed Under: News

Related Articles:

  • Montana State names 2025 presidential scholars
  • Commerce Awards Nearly $500,000 to Boost Rural Economic Growth in Montana
  • UM Cadaver Lab Project Extends Learning Long After Death
  • President Trump Signs Senator Sheehy’s Aerial Firefighting Bill Into Law
  • VA slams Democrat governor for falsely claiming vets could be denied care
  • Governor’s Emergency Funds Approved to Aid ICE in Transporting Dangerous Illegal Aliens

Primary Sidebar

Digital News Updates Logo

Recent News Posts

  • North Dakota to Celebrate Grand Opening of Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library
  • Montana Attorney General Launches Investigation into Lee Enterprises Following Cyberattack
  • VA slams Democrat governor for falsely claiming vets could be denied care
  • Montana State names 2025 presidential scholars

Recent Politics Posts

  • Gianforte Praises Supreme Court Ruling
  • Zinke Urges Interior Secretary to Act on Projected Low Flathead Lake Levels
  • Senator Daines Leads Bipartisan Push to Celebrate “Great Outdoors Month”
  • Sheehy Introduces Legislation to Compensate Service Members Discharged Over COVID Vaccine Mandate

Recent Business Posts

  • Bridger Aerospace Welcomes Executive Order to Reshape Wildland Firefighting
  • Gianforte Appoints Marta Bertoglio as Department of Commerce Director
  • Daktronics to Announce Q4 and Fiscal 2025 Results on June 25
  • Performance Engineering Earns National Honors

Copyright © 2025 Digital News Updates, All Rights Reserved.