HomeMy WebLinkAbout04-28-26 Correspondence - MT DEQ - Request for comment on the Montana Water Quality Act Montana De EQ.
partment
of Environmental Quality
April 24,2026
Dear Interested Party,
The Montana Water Quality Act and Federal Clean Water Act require the State of Montana at least
every three years to review and, as appropriate, modify adopted standards of water quality. In 2026,the
Department of Environmental Quality(Department) is opening a public comment period and holding a
public hearing for the purpose of reviewing Montana's water quality standards. Montana's water quality
standards include the Administrative Rules of Montana Title 17, Chapter 30,subchapters 5 (mixing
zones), 6 (water quality standards), 7 (nondegradation), and 10(groundwater protection), and
Department Circular DEQ-7.
Beginning on April 24, 2026,the Department is soliciting comments from all interested persons
regarding potential revision to any aspect of Montana's water quality standards. Comments should
identify the water quality standard at issue, any suggested revision to the standard, and the basis for the
suggested revision, including technical information.
On June 10, 2026,at 10:30 a.m.,the Department will hold a public hearing in the Wilderness Room on
the second floor at 2401 Colonial Drive, Helena, Montana,to hear comments on water quality
standards.You may also join the hearing virtually via Zoom. More information is available on the
department's website, including instructions for attending the public hearing remotely via Zoom, at
https•//deg.mt.gov/public/water-public.The Department will make reasonable accommodation for
persons with disabilities who wish to participate in this public hearing or need an alternative accessible
format for associated materials. If you require accommodation, please advise the Department of the
nature of the accommodation that you need no later than 5:00 p.m. on Friday, May 29, 2026, by
contacting Katie Makarowski at Department of Environmental Quality, P.O. Box 200901, Helena,
Montana 59620-0901; phone (406)444-3639;email kmkarowski@mt.gov.
You are invited to submit data,views, or arguments concerning water quality standards either orally or
in writing at the hearing.Written data,views, or arguments may also be submitted by mail to Katie
Makarowski at the Department of Environmental Quality, P.O. Box 200901, Helena, Montana, 59620-
0901,or e-mailed to degwgtriennialreview@mt.gov,and must be received no later than 5:00 p.m. on
June 10, 2026.To be guaranteed consideration, mailed comments must be postmarked on or before
that date.
We thank you for your interest in Montana's water quality standards.
Sincerely,
Katie Makarowski
Standards and Modeling Section Supervisor
(406)444-3639
kmkarowski@mt.gov
Greg Gianforte,Governor I Chris Dorrington,Director I P.O.Box 200901 1 Helena,MT 59620-0901 1(406)444-2544 1 www.deq.mt.gov