MontanaMontana would require water protection where opencut mining causes harm
The proposal would require Montana’s Department of Environmental Quality to protect water quality and supplies when opencut mining causes water problems.
What it does
Montana’s Department of Environmental Quality would have to protect surface water and groundwater from declines in quality or supply caused by opencut mining, consistent with state water laws.
Argument forRequiring the agency to protect water could help nearby water users avoid pollution and shrinking supplies caused by mining.
Argument againstThe duty to ensure water protection could require more agency oversight when mining affects water quality or supplies.
More detail
Montana’s Department of Environmental Quality would have to ensure that water is protected from declines in quality and quantity caused by opencut mining. The requirement covers surface water and groundwater affected by opencut mining, which digs from the surface. The protection would have to follow Montana’s water quality and water laws. The duty would apply when water problems arise from opencut mining operations.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Died
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2025
- May 23(S) Died in ProcessDied
- Mar 12(S) Missed Deadline for General Bill Transmittal
- Mar 4(S) Tabled in Committee - (S) Natural ResourcesMinor
- Vote recorded to_table. Result: pass.Upper
- Vote recorded do_pass. Result: fail.Upper
- Mar 4(S) Committee Executive Action - (S) Natural Resources
- Feb 28(S) Hearing - (S) Natural Resources
- Feb 25(S) 1st Reading
- Feb 25(S) Referred to Committee - (S) Natural ResourcesMinor
- Feb 24(S) Introduced
- Feb 21(LC) Draft Delivered to Requester
- Feb 20(LC) Draft Ready for Delivery
- Feb 20(LC) Draft in Assembly
- Feb 20(LC) Draft in Final Drafter Review
- Feb 20(LC) Draft in Input/Proofing
- Feb 20(LC) Draft in Edit
- Feb 20(LC) Draft in Legal Review
- Feb 20(LC) Drafter AssignedIntroduced
Environment & Energy