Environmental Documents

Triple derrick drilling rig to drill a single lateral horizontal Bakken Formation test, 31,291’ MD/10,024’ TVD.

The document is a draft analysis for a proposed land use license for offsite materials and storage within a gravel pit located on State Trust Lands near Ennis, MT. The analysis evaluates the impacts of an action and a no action alternative.

This analysis contemplates an action and no action alternative for an application for land use license that requests the ability to build a surface location and drill a salt water disposal well on state trust lands in Richland County, MT.

The proponent has submitted an easement application to authorize the expansion and upgrading of the current 60-year-old sewer infrastructure servicing a Missile Alert Facility to include the construction, operation, and maintenance of the updated expanded infrastructure. The proposed easement would encumber an addition 2.81 acres to 4.84 acres already encumbered by the missile facility, access road, helipad, etc. Additionally, this action would block up existing encumbered lands and improve connectivity to the already existing infrastructure.

Decision Based on the environmental review conducted in the Draft EA, DNRC has determined that the proposed action will not have significant or long term adverse impacts. The proposed action is reasonable and a suitable means to accomplish the project goals and therefore, this environmental assessment is the appropriate level of analysis, and an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) is not required. DNRC SWPB adopts the Draft EA as Final and approves the Action Alternative.

Northwestern Energy (NWE) proposes to acquire a new easement and abandon the existing natural gas pipeline crossing the Clark Fork River east of Turah, MT following the installation of a new natural gas pipeline as part of the proposed “Clinton Reroute Project”. The existing crossing is authorized by Easement No. D-15449. Proposed activities would take place on .16 acres within the low water mark of the Clark Fork riverbed in section18 T12N R17W, Missoula County.

Triple derrick drilling rig to drill a single lateral horizontal Bakken Formation test, 31,281’ MD/10,113’ TVD.

Alternative Practice to operate equipment in the SMZ and to reduce the number of trees in portions of SMZ below the minimum retention requirement.

Triple derrick drilling rig to drill a single lateral horizontal Bakken Formation test, 21,270’ MD/10,594’ TVD.

Bill Gay/Sandrock LLC has requested a land use license for the purpose of constructing a stock water pipeline across the referenced tract of state owned land.

Proponent is proposing to extend their telecommunications facilities in their South Malta Exchange. These improvements will offer state-of-the-art telecommunications toll and distribution facilities, as well as future growth capabilities for the community. The proposed route was determined by field review as the most direct route between terminus locations while also providing access to existing and future network considerations. The proposed route will provide accessibility for construction and maintenance since it is located primarily along existing roadways. Proposed route goes through lease Ag-658 and Ag-8932. The proposed ROW is 20 feet wide.

Proponent is proposing to replace existing copper telecommunications facilities (ROW-13215) with fiber optics. This will extend their telecommunications facilities in their South Malta Exchange. These improvements will offer state-of-the-art telecommunications toll and distribution facilities, as well as future growth capabilities for the community. The proposed route was determined by field review as the most direct route between terminus locations while also providing access to existing and future network considerations. The proposed route will provide accessibility for construction and maintenance since it is located primarily along existing roadways Proposed ROW is 20 feet wide.

The Kalispell Unit of the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC) is proposing the Spencer to Beaver Forest Management Project. The project is located 4 miles west of Whitefish, MT.

Removal of windthrow from a homesite that borders two class 1 smz's. This is on private land and requires operation in five 100 foot segments of SMZ. The majority of windthrow can be removed from existing road. An HRA exemption has been filed for this, it will produce less than 5MBF of merchantable timber.

Triple derrick drilling rig to drill a single lateral horizontal Bakken Formation test, 31,444’ MD/10,106’ TVD.

On State Lease 6807, Three Bar Ranch is wanting to install a culvert crossing on Buffalo Creek. This crossing will eliminated the need to drive through the creek bed, improving access across the lease for all management practices.

Triangle Telephone Cooperative Assn., Inc. (TTCA, Inc.) is requesting a right of way easement across two pieces of State Land in Wheatland County. This easement will be used for the replacement of existing underground communication fiber that service the Harlowton Exchange. By upgrading the existing infrastructure they will improve service to customers and provide future growth opportunities. Construction of these project will take place in existing road right of ways and be installed with a knife pulled behind a bulldozer to limit overall land disturbance.

Vigilante Electric Cooperative has applied to the MT DNRC, Dillon Unit to place an overhead powerline on the above referenced Montana Trust Land in the Dillon Unit. The new residential power line would provide improved electrical services including 3 phase service to the surrounding rural area. The upgrade comprises approximately 2.87 miles of new overhead electric transmission line. The new line would parallel Birch Creek Road. The line would be operated at a voltage of 7,200 volts. The line would be approximately 20 – 25 feet above ground surface, poles at 30 feet total height. As proposed, poles will be topped with raptor friendly modifications. Ground disturbance would be minimal, except for the placing of power poles at points along the installation route. The width of the requested easement over the 5 state tracts would be 30 feet wide, 15 feet each side of centerline and would encompass approximately 10.44 acres of state land. See attached maps. Vigilante Electric Cooperative wishes to start construction in the Winter / Early Spring and complete the project by April, 2026.