DEQ to Hold Public Hearing to Receive Comments on Draft Lakeside Permit

The Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) has extended the public comment period and will hold a public hearing on Feb. 27 in Lakeside to receive comments on a proposed Montana Ground Water Pollution Control System (MGWPCS) permit for Lakeside County Water & Sewer District (LCSWD) in Lakeside, Montana.

 

DEQ received over 200 public comments during the initial public comment period, which was extended once and was open from Dec. 9, 2024, to Feb. 10, 2025. The decision to hold a public hearing and further extend the comment period was made to ensure that DEQ has all the necessary information to make an informed permitting decision. The purpose of the hearing is to solicit comment on the draft permit, draft environmental assessment and draft fact sheet. DEQ will not be responding to comments during the hearing.

 

LCWSD applied to DEQ for the permit because the existing wastewater system is nearing capacity and in need of expansion and improved treatment. The proposed permit supports LCWSD’s plan to update and expand LCWSD’s  wastewater treatment facility to accept, treat, and handle wastewater and discharge treated wastewater into state ground water via rapid infiltration basins, which are shallow earthen basins designed to allow treated wastewater to filter into the ground. Treated wastewater is subject to the discharge permit limitations and conditions designed to protect the ground water and downgradient state waters.

 

The public hearing will be held from 3-5 p.m. on Feb. 27 at the Lakeside Quick Response Unit Community Room, located at 201 Bills Rd, Lakeside, MT 59922. DEQ is accepting public comments on the draft MGWPCS permit, Fact Sheet and draft EA through Feb. 27, 2025. To view the documents, learn how to submit a comment, or for more information about attending the public hearing in person or virtually, via Zoom, visit: https://deq.mt.gov/News/publiccomment-folder/Public-Hearing-and-Second-Extension-MTX000307