Water Quality (Montana)

Last modified on February 12, 2015.

EZFeed Policy

Place	Montana
Name	Water Quality Act (Montana)
Policy Category	Other Policy
Policy Type	Environmental Regulations
Affected Technologies	Biomass/Biogas, Coal with CCS, Hydroelectric, Natural Gas, Nuclear
Active Policy	Yes
Implementing Sector	State/Province
Primary Website	http://leg.mt.gov/bills/mca_toc/75_5.htm
Last Review	2014-09-15

Summary

The Water Quality Act establishes water conservation and protection, as well as the prevention, abatement, and control of water pollution, as the policy of the state of Montana. The Act establishes a comprehensive state water quality program, which is administered by the Department of Environmental Quality: http://www.deq.mt.gov/wqinfo/default.mcpx

The Act sets limitations on the state's ability to set regulations that are more stringent than federal regulations (section 75-5-203), establishes a Water Pollution Control Advisory Council in the Department of Environmental Protection, establishes classifications and standards for state waters, addresses the cooperation of the department and local water quality districts in establishing local water quality programs, and sets permitting, monitoring, and reporting requirements.

Policy Contact

Department	Montana Department of Environmental Quality
Website	http://www.deq.mt.gov/

Department	Board of Environmental Review
Website	http://www.deq.mt.gov/ber/default.mcpx

Department	Water Pollution Control Advisory Council
Division	Planning, Prevention, and Assistance Division
Phone	(406) 444-6697
Fax	(406) 444-6836
Website	http://www.deq.mt.gov/wqinfo/wpcac/default.mcpx

Authorities (Please contact the if there are any file problems.)

Authority 1:	75-5 MCA
Date Enacted	1971

Authority 2:	ARM 17.30.101 through 2006