Environment (Drinking Water)

This Montana bill (LC 1155) requires the Department of Environmental Quality to amend a rule by January 2026, creating a new pathway for counties to exclude certain land uses from water quality review. Specifically, counties must demonstrate two conditions: (1) no drinking water wells in the area, and (2) absorption trenches (e.g., septic systems) located at least 1,000 feet from high-quality surface waters. The bill appropriates $10,000 from the general fund to support this rule change and provides guidance for the exclusion process. It takes effect upon passage, with the funding provision starting July 1, 2025.

HB 923 directs the Montana Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) to amend its administrative rules by January 1, 2026. This amendment will create a new categorical exclusion from nondegradation authorization requirements. This exclusion applies to areas where a county commission demonstrates it has prohibited drinking water wells and ensures absorption trenches are at least 1,000 feet from downstream high-quality surface waters. The bill also appropriates $10,000 to the DEQ to implement these rule changes and provide guidance.