Water Quality | Missouri-Cascade and Belt TMDL Revisions | Belt, MT | Comment Period Ends August 6, 2026 | Public Meeting July 21, 2026
The Revised Missouri-Cascade and Belt TMDL document updates total maximum daily loads (TMDLs) for the lower section of Belt Creek to account for a new Montana Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (MPDES) permit for Belt Creek. The new discharger is a water treatment facility that captures and treats water from abandoned mines near Belt. The facility is overseen by DEQ. In addition, TMDLs for pollutants listed after the original document was produced are also added as part of the document revision. New TMDLs include an aluminum TMDL for the lower section of Belt Creek and arsenic, copper, and lead TMDLs for Cottonwood Creek. In anticipation of a new human health lead criterion, alternate lead TMDLs are provided in the revised document that will take effect if the human health lead criterion is changed during rulemaking.
Associated Materials:
Comment Period Ends: August 6, 2026
Send/Submit Comments To:
Department of Environmental Quality
Water Quality Planning Bureau
PO Box 200901
Helena, MT 59620
Or electronically to: Joseph.Vanderwall@mt.gov
Public Meeting information:
Tuesday, July 21st from 5:30 to 7:30 pm
Belt City Hall
70 Castner Street
Belt, MT 59412
Online options:
Join from PC, Mac, iPad, or Android:
https://mt-gov.zoom.us/j/86320514701?pwd=gyeAO2fTL48rymDXmLktt8naFfwSbY.1
Join via audio:
+1 206 337 9723
Webinar ID: 863 2051 4701
Passcode: 105123
Accommodation statement:
The department will make reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities who wish to participate in this public participation process or need an alternative accessible format of this notice. If you require an accommodation, contact the department no later than 5:00 P.M. on [ten days before end of public comment period end/public meeting date], to advise us of the nature of the accommodation that you need. Please contact the Department of Environmental Quality at P.O. Box 200901, Helena, Montana 59620-0901; phone (406) 444-5546; fax (406) 444-5546; or e-mail Joseph.Vanderwall@mt.gov.
Tags: Public Comment, Water and Public Meeting