MEPA | Notice of Proposed Rulemaking | Comment Period Ends July 17, 2026 | Public Hearing July 16, 2026
DEQ is proposing to amend and repeal rules implementing the Montana Environmental Policy Act (MEPA).
Across several MEPA rules, the department proposes to make consistent terminology and readability edits. References to “major state actions” and “actions” are replaced with “proposed action” to align the rules with the current MEPA framework, which defines and implements environmental review in terms of a “proposed action” in 75‑1‑220, MCA, and uses that term throughout the environmental review provisions. All references to the “human” environment are replaced with “Montana” environment to conform to House Bill 285 (2025), which amended 75‑1‑109(1)(a), 75‑1‑201(1)(a)(i), (iii), (iv), (iv)(B), (v), 75‑1‑202, and 75‑1‑220(5), (6), and (7), MCA, by replacing “human” environment with “Montana” environment. Other proposed updates to formatting and wording are intended to improve clarity, remove redundancy, and ensure that the MEPA rules are written in clear and accessible language, consistent with the Lieutenant Governor’s directive on plain‑language rule drafting, without changing the substantive standards for when and how environmental review is conducted under MEPA.
Associated Materials:
Comment Period Ends: July 17, 2026
Send/Submit Comments To:
DEQ Address
PO Box 200901
Helena, MT 59620
Or electronically to: DEQMAR2026-36@mt.gov
Public Hearing:
Thursday, July 16, 2026 11:00 AM
Wilderness Room
2401 Colonial Drive
Helena, Montana 59602
Webinar ID: 869 1097 4235
Passcode: 542603
Accommodation statement (if rulemaking, list same contact as in the MAR)
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 July 7, 2026, 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)444-1388; or e-mail DEQMAR2026-36@mt.gov.
Tags: MEPA, Public Comment, Public Meeting and Rule Making