Business Processes

In order to make the business processes of the Montana Department of Environmental Quality more accessible to the general public and our regulated community we are providing charts of our primary operating procedures. By doing this we hope to make it easier for people to understand the steps that take place as we issue permits, take enforcement action and complete environmental analysis.

This is a work in progress and we will be adding additional processes to this page as they are completed.

Formal Enforcement Cases:

These charts illustrate how the Enforcement Division processes formal enforcement cases for violations of the laws administered by DEQ. The first step is for a regulatory program to request a formal action via the Enforcement Request Approval Process. Case Development is the next step where the Enforcement Division develops the approach and calculates an appropriate penalty. Most of DEQ's enforcement actions are administrative in nature and are resolved through the Case Settlement Process. If a violator does not comply with an administrative order or if it is believed an entity will not comply with an administrative action, the case is elevated to district court through the Judicial Case Development Process.

Enforcement Request Approval Process Flowchart

Case Development Process Flowchart

Case Settlement Process Flowchart

Judicial Case Development Process Flowchart

Enforcement Complaints:

This chart outlines the process the DEQ uses as it handles complaints filed with the Enforcement Division. If you have questions about this chart or the processes it illustrates please contact the Enforcement Division at 406-444-0379.

Complaint Response Business Process Flowchart

Montana Environmental Policy Act (MEPA):

This chart illustrates the process the DEQ uses when an environmental analysis is required under the Montana Environmental Policy Act (Cite:). For more information about the chart or MEPA please contact the DEQ’s MEPA Coordinator at 406-444-1760.

Environment Assessment Business Process Flowchart

Environmental Impact Statement Business Process Flowchart

Montana Petroleum Tank Release Compensation Board:

These charts illustrate the process that the Petroleum Tank Release Compensation Board (PTRCB), within DEQ, uses when a petroleum release occurs and the Owner/Operator wishes to apply for eligibility and potential reimbursement of the cleanup costs of an eligible release. For more information contact us at 406-841-5090.

Release Eligibility Process Flowchart

Workplan Obligation Process

Claim for Reimbursement Process Flowchart

Permitting and Compliance Division:

These charts identify the processes for processing permits in the multitude of programs in the Permitting and Compliance Division. If you have questions about these charts or the permitting processes, please call one of the following numbers.

Division Administration: 406-444-2667
Air Resources Management Bureau: 406-444-3490

Air Quality Permit Process

Environmental Management Bureau: 406-444-4953

Major Facility Siting Act

Metal Mine Reclamation Permits/Rock Mining

Industrial & Energy Minerals Bureau: 406-444-4970

Coal Permit Application Process

Coal Prospecting Application Process

Opencut Permit Application Process where Public Meeting is not Required

Opencut Permit Application Process where Public Meeting is Required

Public Water and Subdivision Bureau: 406-444-4400

Compliance Process

Operator Certification Process

Subdivision Application Process

Public Water Supply Plan and Spec Approval Process

Waste & Underground Management Bureau: 406-444-5300

Solid Waste Program

Septic Tank Pumper Program

Junk Vehicles Program

Hazardous Waste Program

Handlers Registration Process

New Permit Process

Renewal Permit Process

Class 1 Permit Modification Process

Class 2 Permit Modification Process

Class 3 Permit Modification Process

Asbestos Program

Project Permit Application Process

Accreditation Application Process

Meth Program

Trainer Application Process

Supervisor and Worker Application Process

Underground Storage Tank Program

Operating Permit Process

Construction Permit Process

Water Protection Bureau: 406-444-3080

Montana Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (MPDES) Program

Montana Ground Water Pollution Control System (MGWPCS) Program

Planning, Prevention and Assistance:

Energy Planning & Pollution

The Energy and Pollution Prevention Bureau offers limited renewable energy grants and loans to consumers and small businesses, one-time rebates for energy efficient appliance purchases for consumers, one-time grants to local governments for energy efficiency, one-time grants for recycling infrastructure and invests in energy saving improvements in state-owned buildings.

Alternative Energy Revolving Loan Program

Developing Projects through State Building Energy Conservation Program

Technical & Financial Assistance Bureau

The Technical and Financial Assistance Bureau plays an integral role in the function of the Department of Environmental Quality. The department has the responsibility for protecting Montana's environment, while balancing a host of economic and political interests. In order to do this effectively, we must be able to offer concrete alternatives and solutions to environmental problems and to foster effective working relationships with a variety of customers across Montana.

The bureau consists of the Source Water Protection (SWP) Program, the Water Pollution Control State Revolving Fund, and the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund Programs(SRF). The SWP Program provides technical assistance by providing source water assessments, water quality and watershed protection efforts, including the wetland program. The source water assessments are intended to assist in preventing pollution of public drinking water supplies by assessing the potential threats to drinking water from a variety of sources. The wetland program provides leadership to conserve wetlands for their water quality, water quantity, habitat, and flood control benefits. Both SRF Programs provide technical assistance to public water and wastewater systems to help maintain compliance with federal and state laws. Financial assistance is provided through grants and loans for community water and wastewater and certain eligible non-point source projects to protect health and improve water quality. Both SRF Programs are built to maintain a permanent, self-sustaining revolving fund program that serves as a cost effective, convenient source of financing for drinking water and wastewater projects in Montana.

These flowcharts illustrate the Water Pollution Control and Drinking Water State Revolving Fund Programs loan process. For more information please contact Todd Teegarden at 406-444-5324

Water Pollution Control and Drinking Water State Revolving Fund Programs Loan Process

Water Pollution Control and Drinking Water State Revolving Fund Programs Environmental Review and Plan & Spec Review Process

Water Pollution Control and Drinking Water State Revolving Fund Programs Loan Closing and Construction Completion Process

Water Quality Planning Bureau

These charts illustrate the processes that the Water Quality Planning Bureau uses to protect, maintain and restore Montana’s water quality as required under the Montana Water Quality Act. For more information about our processes please contact us at 406-444-2680.

Water Quality Planning Bureau Business Process Flowchart

Water Quality Management and Assessment Process

Watershed Management TMDL Development Process

Watershed Protection Nonpoint Source Management Process

401 Certification Reviews for Hydroelectric Facilities Process

Water Quality Standards Use Attainability Analysis Process