The bill seeks to enhance public notice and participation requirements for opencut mining permits in Montana by introducing several key changes. It mandates that the Department of Environmental Quality respond to public comments on permit applications and eliminates the definition related to occupied dwelling units. The bill also grants rulemaking authority to the department and amends existing sections of the Montana Code Annotated (MCA) to improve transparency and public engagement in the permitting process. A significant modification includes lowering the threshold for requiring a public meeting from 51% of real property owners to 30% of residents within one mile of the proposed operation.

Furthermore, the bill establishes a structured application review process, requiring the department to assess applications for completeness within five working days and notify applicants of any deficiencies. Once an application is deemed complete, operators must notify residents within a one-mile radius and accept public comments for 30 days, with the department required to respond in writing to all comments received. The bill also outlines a timeline for the department's review process and includes provisions for land reclamation post-operation, ensuring that affected land is graded and restored to its original condition or as specified by the landowner.

Statutes affected:
LC Text: 82-4-403, 82-4-432