DEQ Releases Draft Environmental Assessment for Underground Storage Tanks at Maverick #731 in Lewis and Clark County

The Montana Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) is accepting public comment specific to new underground storage tanks (UST) to be installed in Lewis and Clark County, Montana. DEQ has prepared a Draft Environmental Assessment (EA) as required by the Montana Environmental Policy Act (implemented in title 17, chapter 4, subchapter 6 of the Administrative Rules of Montana). MEPA requires that agencies analyze the potential impacts of a proposed project on the human environment and disclose those impacts prior to making a decision. The proposed project would install five new underground tanks for gas storage at the Maverick #731 gas station location, at 3196 Colonial Drive, Helena, Montana. DEQ is currently accepting public comment on the Draft EA until August 2, 2023. 

Following the 10-day public comment period, DEQ will consider and respond to substantive comments received in response to the Draft EA and proceed with one of the following determinations: that an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) is necessary, that the EA did not adequately reflect issues raised by the proposed action and that a revised EA is needed, that further environmental analysis is not necessary and that the agency can proceed with a final decision with modifications deemed necessary based on analysis in the EA and/or public comment, or, that the EA is adequate and adopted as final. Notice of DEQ’s decision will be given to each to person who submits written comment or requests a notice of the decision. 

The draft EA, public notice, and information on how to submit public comment can be found at: https://deq.mt.gov/public/mepa