Program Overview
The Opencut Section reviews permit and amendment applications within its statutory timeframe to ensure Opencut minerals (bentonite, clay, scoria, soil materials, peat, sand or gravel) are extracted in accordance with the act and rules to ensure adequate protection of environmental resources and successful reclamation of the affected land back to a productive post-mining land use.
If you believe you need a permit, applicable forms and instructions can be found by clicking the "Permitting and Operator Assistance" button. Contact us if you have questions or run into problems with any of the information. We're here to help!
Opencut Permits & Locations
To review the permit for an existing Opencut site, click the button below to visit DEQ's data portal where you can search Opencut permits.
Permitted Opencut site locations may be viewed using DEQ's web mapping application. Click the button below to view the map. If you experience issues viewing the application, it may help to try a different browser. For information on how to use the application, please view the instructional video, How to Use Opencut's Web Mapping Application.
View Permitted Opencut Locations
Latest News
May 15, 2023
FACTS Rollout of Online Dryland Application
- Operators are required to Complete and Submit all Dryland Applications and Dryland Amendments starting May 15, 2023 within the Online FACTS Permit System.
- FACTS Portal https://svc.mt.gov/deq/factspermitting
- All other Applications, including the Standard Application, must continue to be submitted using the existing application forms found on the Opencut Website at https://deq.mt.gov/mining/assistance.
- All other Applications are expected to be available within FACTS in the near future.
Operators will be required to use FACTS for all Dryland permit and amendment applications starting Monday, May 15, 2023. For those Operators currently working on the older style Dryland applications (i.e. paper application), they must be submitted no later than June 16, 2023. After Friday, June 16, 2023, Dryland applications submitted on the older forms will no longer be accepted.
Opencut recommends that if you are currently working on a Dryland application, you create a FACTS account and copy the information from the Dryland application to the online FACTS Dryland application. You should find the online FACTS Dryland application easy, intuitive and more efficient. FACTS will not let you proceed if you do not answer all required questions, helping to keep minor deficiencies from occurring. Additionally, you will receive instant notification updates on your application status, deficiencies and approvals.
Some instructional videos can be found on the Opencut Permitting and Operator Assistance page at http://deq.mt.gov/mining/assistance.
Additional instructional videos will be posted soon.
If you have questions or concerns, please email them to DEQOpencut@mt.gov with the best phone number to reach you at, and a member of our team will contact you to assist.
Sincerely,
Opencut Mining Section
Department of Environmental Quality
P.O. Box 200901, Helena, MT 59620-0901
Email: DEQOpencut@mt.gov
The next Opencut Stakeholders Meeting is scheduled for January 17, 2023.
We will be meeting in person in Room 45 of the Metcalf building at 1pm on January 17, 2023 and will have a Zoom call-in option for those unable to attend in person.
For a copy of the Agenda click here.
For a copy of the Pending Bond Release Request list click here.
Zoom Webinar Information:
Please click the link below to join the webinar:
https://mt-gov.zoom.us/j/84950586838?pwd=U1FQaHQvYXRJTnh1NXRHOWVGODJZZz09
Passcode: 825431
Or One tap mobile :
US: +12063379723 84950586838# *825431# or +12133388477 84950586838# *825431#
Or Telephone:
Dial(for higher quality, dial a number based on your current location):
US: +1 206 337 9723 or +1 213 338 8477 or +1 646 558 8656
Webinar ID: 849 5058 6838
Passcode: 825431
Annual Production Reports (APR) for 2022 were mailed January 3, 2023.
2022 APR's will be due March 1, 2023.
The Notice of Adoption and Amendment of Opencut Mining rules was published in the Montana Administrative Register (MAR) Issue 19 on October 7th, 2022. The Notice of Adoption and Amendment of Opencut Mining rules can be found on pages 47-55.
The Notice (MAR Notice 17-425) can be found at the following link: https://rules.mt.gov/gateway/ShowNoticeFile.asp?TID=11154.
The Notice of Adoption and Amendment of the Opencut Mining rules addresses comments received by DEQ during the public comment period for the proposed rules that lasted from July 8th through August 8th, 2022, and during a public meeting held by DEQ on August 8th, 2022.
The Opencut Mining rules were updated on the Secretary of State’s website on October 7th, 2022.
Updated forms reflecting changes to the rules will be uploaded to the DEQ Opencut Mining website by close of business on October 11th. DEQ Opencut will continue to accept older forms until November 10th, 2022, after which operators and applicants will be required to submit documents to DEQ on the new forms.
Opencut Mining Contacts
Section Supervisor
Whitney Bausch (406) 444-3403
Unit Coordinator
J.J. Conner (406) 444-4979
Bond Questions/Program Support Specialist
Vacant (406) 444-3403
Program Support Specialist - Kalispell
Elizabeth Smith (406) 755-8965
Reclamation Specialist
Bryan Allison (406) 444-4969
Reclamation Specialist
Carly Russell (406) 444-4796
Reclamation Specialist
Ruby Hopkins (406) 444-7444
Reclamation Specialist
Anne Spezia (406) 444-9786
Public Comment Sites
The Opencut Section has received a complete Standard Permit Application for Miller Colony, Inc. - Miller Colony Gravel Pit - 3341 in Teton County. The application can be viewed at https://searchopencutpermits.mt.gov/ by entering 'Miller Colony Gravel Pit' in the 'Site Name' box and clicking 'Submit' or by entering '3341' in the 'Opencut#' box and clicking: 'Submit'
Comments will be accepted for this site throughout the permitting process. To submit a public comment click here. Thank you for taking the time to comment on this application.
The Opencut Section has received a complete Amendment Application for Daniel J. Vogel - Hereford - 1764 in Sanders County. The application can be viewed at https://searchopencutpermits.mt.gov/ by entering 'Hereford' in the 'Site Name' box and clicking 'Submit' or by entering '1764' in the 'Opencut#' box and clicking: 'Submit'
Comments will be accepted for this site throughout the permitting process. To submit a public comment click here. Thank you for taking the time to comment on this application.
The Opencut Section has received a complete Standard Permit Application for Gratech Company, LLC - Whitmer - 3421 in Roosevelt County. The application can be viewed at https://searchopencutpermits.mt.gov/ by entering 'Whitmer' in the 'Site Name' box and clicking 'Submit' or by entering '3421' in the 'Opencut#' box and clicking: 'Submit'
Comments will be accepted for this site throughout the permitting process. To submit a public comment click here. Thank you for taking the time to comment on this application.
The Opencut Section has received a complete Standard Amendment Application for Titan Inc - Clark - 1729 in Madison County. The application can be viewed at https://searchopencutpermits.mt.gov/ by entering 'Clark' in the 'Site Name' box and clicking 'Submit' or by entering '1729' in the 'Opencut#' box and clicking: 'Submit'
Comments will be accepted for this site throughout the permitting process. To submit a public comment click here. Thank you for taking the time to comment on this application.
The Opencut Section has received a complete Standard Amendment Application for Wager Dennis Murphy - Sickler #2 - 3393 in Flathead County. The application can be viewed at https://searchopencutpermits.mt.gov/ by entering 'Sickler #2' in the 'Site Name' box and clicking 'Submit' or by entering '3393' in the 'Opencut#' box and clicking: 'Submit'
Comments will be accepted for this site throughout the permitting process. To submit a public comment click here. Thank you for taking the time to comment on this application.
The Opencut Section has received a complete Standard Permit Application for Johnson Lance - Valley - 3495 in Gallatin County. The application can be viewed at https://searchopencutpermits.mt.gov/ by entering 'Valley' in the 'Site Name' box and clicking 'Submit' or by entering '3495' in the 'Opencut#' box and clicking: 'Submit'
Comments will be accepted for this site throughout the permitting process. To submit a public comment click here. Thank you for taking the time to comment on this application.
The Opencut Section has received a complete Standard Permit Application for Lake County Road Department - Oxford - 3498 in Lake County. The application can be viewed at https://searchopencutpermits.mt.gov/ by entering 'Oxford' in the 'Site Name' box and clicking 'Submit' or by entering '3498' in the 'Opencut#' box and clicking: 'Submit'
Comments will be accepted for this site throughout the permitting process. To submit a public comment click here. Thank you for taking the time to comment on this application.
The Opencut Section has received a complete Standard Permit Application for Croell Inc - Oscar's - 3494 in Yellowstone County. The application can be viewed at https://searchopencutpermits.mt.gov/ by entering 'Oscar's' in the 'Site Name' box and clicking 'Submit' or by entering '3494' in the 'Opencut#' box and clicking: 'Submit'
Comments will be accepted for this site throughout the permitting process. To submit a public comment click here. Thank you for taking the time to comment on this application.
The Opencut Section has received a complete Standard Permit Application for Reynolds Shawn - Coombs Lane - 3286 in Lake County. The application can be viewed at https://searchopencutpermits.mt.gov/ by entering 'Coombs Lane' in the 'Site Name' box and clicking 'Submit' or by entering '3286' in the 'Opencut#' box and clicking: 'Submit'
Comments will be accepted for this site throughout the permitting process. To submit a public comment click here. Thank you for taking the time to comment on this application.
The Opencut Section has received a complete Standard Permit Application for RBC Sand and Gravel Inc - Darby - 3501 in Ravalli County. The application can be viewed at https://searchopencutpermits.mt.gov/ by entering 'Darby' in the 'Site Name' box and clicking 'Submit' or by entering '3501' in the 'Opencut#' box and clicking: 'Submit'
Comments will be accepted for this site throughout the permitting process. To submit a public comment click here. Thank you for taking the time to comment on this application.
The Opencut Section has received a complete Standard Amendment Application for Strata Corporation - Strata Yellowstone Plant - 2171 in Richland County. The application can be viewed at https://searchopencutpermits.mt.gov/ by entering 'Strata Yellowstone Plant' in the 'Site Name' box and clicking 'Submit' or by entering '2171' in the 'Opencut#' box and clicking: 'Submit'
Comments will be accepted for this site throughout the permitting process. To submit a public comment click here. Thank you for taking the time to comment on this application.
The Opencut Section has received a complete Standard Amendment Application for American Colloid Company - Daun - 3172 in Carter County. The application can be viewed at https://searchopencutpermits.mt.gov/ by entering 'Daun' in the 'Site Name' box and clicking 'Submit' or by entering '3172' in the 'Opencut#' box and clicking: 'Submit'
Comments will be accepted for this site throughout the permitting process. To submit a public comment click here. Thank you for taking the time to comment on this application.
The Opencut Section has received a complete Standard Permit Application for Schellinger Construction Co Inc - Berg - 3496 in Powell County. The application can be viewed at https://searchopencutpermits.mt.gov/ by entering 'Berg' in the 'Site Name' box and clicking 'Submit' or by entering '3496' in the 'Opencut#' box and clicking: 'Submit'
Comments will be accepted for this site throughout the permitting process. To submit a public comment click here. Thank you for taking the time to comment on this application.
The Opencut Section has received a complete Standard Permit Application for TMC Inc - Black - 3462 in Gallatin County. The application can be viewed at https://searchopencutpermits.mt.gov/ by entering 'Black' in the 'Site Name' box and clicking 'Submit' or by entering '3462' in the 'Opencut#' box and clicking: 'Submit'
Comments will be accepted for this site throughout the permitting process. To submit a public comment click here. Thank you for taking the time to comment on this application.