Environmental Documents

Triple derrick drilling rig to drill a single lateral horizontal Bakken Formation test, 27,886’ MD/10,375’ TVD.

Installation of an underground fiber optic

The Plains Unit of the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC) is proposing the Banana Fire Salvage and Clark Hinch timber sales. The projects are located approximately 5 and 8 air miles northeast of Plains, MT in the Clark Hinchwood area.

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Butte Field Office is requesting an Alternative Practice for the Big Hole West Forest Management Project (BHW), to allow for the restoration of riparian vegetation (aspen, willow, alder etc.) in coordination with timber sale operations, due to conifer shading out and out competing riparian vegetation.

Clinton is wanting to install a stock water pipeline across state land. Pipeline route is planned in the NE corner of the tract and would service the adjacent private land. Both point of source and point of use for the water are on private land. This is part of a NRCS project, and the best route was through the corner of state land.

The Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC) Forestry & Trust Land Management Division (FTLD), Bozeman Unit is proposing the conversion of 20.0 acres of State land described as a portion of the W2SW4 of Section 2, Township 1 North, Range 2 East from Classified “Grazing” to “Other” for the purpose of commercial leasing for development.

Proposed project to improve a spring and pipeline, and authorization for conveying water from state to private property.

Triple derrick rig to drill a single lateral horizontal Bakkan Formation test, 31,088’ MD/10,450’ 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.

Temporary storage site for BLM-sponsored groomer shed and equipment.

DNRC received an application from the Proponent, West Dakota Water, the placement and operation of a temporary water pump and to lay a temporary layflat hose for the purpose of transferring freshwater across State of Montana Land tracts.

Triple derrick drilling rig to drill a single lateral horizontal Bakken Formation test, 27,881’ MD/10,385’ TVD.

In 2020, SWPB worked on a project to replace the guard gate stem at the Nilan North Dam, the stem was bent and prevented operation of the gate. Nilan East Dam stem guides were also replaced as preventative maintenance. Water is delivered through the dam by the operation of two gates, a guard gate and an operating gate. The guard gate is upstream of the operating gate and is typically kept open while the operating gate is used to regulate flow out of the reservoir. The guard gate is typically only closed to allow for inspection of the outlet conduit and the operating gate. Since the gate stem guide replacement in 2020, the Nilan East Dam guard gate hasn’t properly sealed, we are proposing to place a small temporary coffer dam upstream of the Nilan East Dam and dewater the area to facilitate safe entry into the outlet conduit to diagnose and fix the ongoing guard gate sealing issue.

Northwestern Energy has submitted an easement application to authorize the extension of a 1 phase 7,200/12,740V electric primary distribution line on State Trust Land located in T1S R2W Section 24 pursuant to MCA 77-2-101 & 102. This extension will feed a cell tower for Vertical Bridge Development, LLC. This extension of power service will involve installation construction and require future maintenance on State Trust Land. The statement of necessity states that the nearest alternative to provide power to the cell tower would require routing power from an overhead power line on the east side of HWY 287on private property. This route would require crossing the MDT maintained highway and impact 2900 feet of private active farmlands, in which the private landowners were not willing to sign an easement for this -route. The route selected for the extension is along a private road that provides access to a gravel pit (G-1086-86), and the new underground powerline will lay adjacent to other utilities already encumbering the route. The proposed easement is approximately 1,404.65 feet long by 10 feet wide, encompassing 0.32 acres. See the attached exhibits for the proposed easement route and location.

This EA evaluates an action and a no action alternative related to an application to test for gravel resources on state trust land near Loma, MT.

Installation of a 25kV overhead powerline over the Smith River, encompassing 0.062 acres (90.16 feet long by 30 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.

Triple derrick drilling rig to drill a single lateral horizontal Bakken Formation test, 31,104’ MD/10,047’ TVD.

Triple derrick drilling rig to drill a single lateral horizontal Bakken Formation test, 25,731’ MD/10,047’ TVD.

Still photography shot for apparel promotion.