Montana
The Montana Department of Environmental Quality through the Industrial and Energy Minerals Bureau (IEMB) administers the State's program regulating the surface mining of coal. The IEMB evaluates surface mining permit applications, permit revision applications, and permit renewal applications to ensure mining can be accomplished in an environmentally sound manner; approves or disapproves permit applications; and carries out inspections of coal mines to ensure compliance with the program's requirements. Since 1980, Montana's regulatory program has been a partnership effort between the State and the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement.
The IEMB strives to administer the surface coal mining and reclamation program mandated by State and Federal law to achieve optimum results in a cost-effective and fair manner, and to ensure that mining operations subject to this program are conducted in such a way that they: are environmentally sound and minimize adverse effects; protect public interest and the rights of property owners; return mined lands to beneficial uses; and maintain the integrity of the state's natural resources.
Outreach for Review of the Proposed Oversight Performance Agreement
We are soliciting comments from citizens, environmental groups, industry and other interested parties regarding our Proposed Oversight Performance Agreements, which can be found in the Reg-8 Oversight Database (ODocs).
Please submit your comments for our consideration from May 1 – 15, 2020, by email or in writing, to the contact listed below. As a part of that process, we welcome comments and suggestions from interested parties on oversight and/or potential oversight evaluation topics, including the opportunity for discussions with our office.
The final work plans will be completed by June 30 and will be available by July 14, 2020 in ODocs. You may also request a hard copy of the document from the contact listed below. Thank you for your participation in this important process.
Montana Oversight Documents
The Oversight Document System (ODocs) is a new depository library OSMRE developed containing oversight documentation related to State/Tribes oversight program. To access ODocs, click on the link provided below. For more information on Oversight, visit Oversight of Surface Coal Mining. If you have questions, please reference the individual listed under Contact Information.
Website
Visit The Montana Department of Environmental Quality's website at http://www.deq.mt.gov/default.mcpx.
