Environmental Documents

Triple derrick drilling rig to drill a single lateral horizontal Middle Bakken Formation test, 20,403’MD/10,161’TVD.

Paragon Geophysical Services, Inc has applied to conduct a seismic survey on State Trust Lands.

KATCO Farms Inc has requested to break approximately 297 acres of recently expired CRP and return the land to agricultural production.

The proponent, Wayne Sherrill Logging is requesting an Alternative Practice (AP) to rules 5 and 6: (36.11.304) retention tree requirements and road building within the SMZ. Piegan Creek has migrated into the existing roadbed.

Proponent desires to use an existing skid trail that is within an SMZ of a class 1 stream.

The Forestry and Trust Land Division of the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC) is proposing to repeal surface management rules and adopt new rules addressing recreational use of trust land. The proposed changes are necessary to renumber recreational use rules for trust land into their own subsection to make rules easier to find and to simplify language throughout to make the rules easier to understand. The rulemaking broadly simplifies and organizes content for all rules pertaining to recreational use of trust land while retaining the intent of the original rules.

Denbury plans to drill a horizontal well as a producer in the tertiary CO2/Waterflood program. The TVD of this well is 4,490’ and MD is 5,002’. Objective formation is the Muddy Sandstone. Solids will be contained in metal pits and then hauled to a licensed disposal facility. Surface casing to be set at 780’ and will be cemented back to surface.

Authorize the use of existing water pipelines for stock water through a land use license.

The lessee will install a spring development on their state trust lands grazing lease.

To permit the installation of an underground fiber optic cable to serve an existing cell tower through a contract with Dish Network located on State Trust Land Section 20, T01N, R26E in Yellowstone County for the Common Schools Trust. Fiber optic cable will be installed using a vibratory shank on a plow rig with a trench 3 inches wide and 30 inches deep. Cable will be buried once the project is completed.

The Dillon Unit of the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC) has received a request from the SW Montana Sagebrush Partnership (SMSP) for conifer encroachment removal projects in the Buffalo, Reservoir and Coyote Creek drainages areas of Beaverhead County (T8S R13W Section 13, 14,15, 21, 23, 25). There are approximately 940 acres of conifer encroachment removal projects proposed in 3 locations (see attached maps). The project will primarily benefit sage grouse habitat and other sage brush dependent species by removing scattered Douglas fir and juniper from sagebrush-grassland habitat. This project could begin as early as fall of 2025 and could take up to 5 years to complete. The DNRC along with SMSP, & MT FWP will be monitoring the project to see how the treatments are working and if improvements/changes need to be made.

Adam Hemry proposes the breaking and conversion of 512.90 Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) acres out of the 561.70 CRP acres under expired CRP contract 11000 on state land lease 5756, referred to herein as the “Project”. See Attachment A – Project Location Map for proposed break acres. The CRP contract, No. 11000, expired on 9/30/2022. The previous lessee originally re-bid the CRP “as is” but it was rejected by the Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) as it did not meet their minimum standards. In order for the tract to be put back into CRP it needed to be sprayed and re-planted, which the previous lessee did not have farm equipment to do so. The lease was then transferred to the current lessee for the purpose of converting the CRP to agricultural land for small grain production. The purpose of the conversion from CRP acres to agricultural production acres is to increase the overall revenue on lease 5756 for the Common Schools Trust while maintaining the Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC) land sustainability goals. The Project is expected to occur in the Fall of 2022.

Dean Knaup has applied to use approximately 1/4 mile of existing 2-track road to haul firewood from a private landowner to Calvert Road (a county road).

Denbury Onshore plans to drill dual lateral horizontal well into the Charles-Madison Formation. Upper lateral 7,345’ TVD / 12,623’ MD. Lower lateral 7,345’ TVD / 12,534’ MD. Surface casing to be set at 2,000’ and cemented to surface.

Denbury Onshore plans to drill a dual lateral horizontal injection well into the Charles-Madison Formation. Upper lateral 7,358’ TVD / 12,246’ MD. Lower lateral 7,374’ TVD / 12,356’ MD. Surface casing to be set at 2,000’ and cemented to surface.

Denbury Onshore plans to drill a dual lateral horizontal well into the Charles-Madison Formation. Upper lateral 7,382’ TVD / 12,902’ MD. Lower lateral 7,379’ TVD / 12,812’ MD. Surface casing to be set at 2,000’ and cemented to surface.

Denbury Onshore plans to drill a vertical well into the Deadwood Formation 9,599’ TVD/MD. Surface casing to be set at 1,729’ and cemented to surface.

Denbury plans to drill a horizontal well as a producer in the tertiary CO2/Waterflood program. The TVD of this well is 4,471’ and MD is 8,834’. Objective formation is the Muddy Sandstone. Solids will be contained in metal pits and then hauled to a licensed disposal facility. Surface casing to be set at 1,000’ and will be cemented back to surface.

Proponent will remove junipers within the project area.

Bluebird, LLC plans to drill a Tyler Formation test, 5,200’ MD / TVD. The location is in general Sage Grouse habitat and requires sage grouse approval. The approval letter was received 10/12/2022. II. PROJECT

Kirk Donsbach is proposing to install a shallow well and stock tank in the SW4SE4NW4 of Section 36, Township 19 North, Range 22 East. The proposed water development installation is planned to be installed directly adjacent to Box Elder Creek in hopes to have access to water on years when the creek is dry. The proposed shallow well will be used for stock water.

The Environmental Analysis evaluates the impacts of an action and no action alternative for a proposed Land Use License to construct a oil well pad on State of Montana Trust Lands in Roosevelt County, MT.

CWT Operating, LLC plans to drill a 7,900’ TVD / MD well with the objective formation being the Duperow or Nisku, depending on Duperow production test.

CWT Operating, LLC plans to drill a 7,900’ TVD / MD well with the objective formation being the Duperow or Nisku, depending on Duperow production test.

IFG Timber LLC and the Plains Unit and of the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC) are proposing the Elk Creek LA Timber Sale. The project is located approximately 3 air miles south of Heron, MT

AM Welles applied to the Department of Natural Resources for the ability to test aggregate resources on State of Montana Trust Lands: NW4 and the N2SW4 of Section 36, Township 6S, Range 1W. The issuance of an aggregate testing permit allows the permittee to dig holes between 3 ft and 20 ft in depth to observe and test the aggregate resource present. The results of the testing may determine whether the permittee has interest in developing the resource.

Floweree Cattle is proposing the construction of a stock water pipeline across trust lands in Petroleum county. The water source is on private land and there would be no water place of use on trust lands.

Forza Operating, LLC plans to drill a well for a Nisku formation test 8,210’ MD / 3,252 TVD. II. PROJECT

Forza Operating, LLC plans to drill a well for a Nisku formation test 7,884’ MD / 3,236 TVD. II. PROJECT

The document analyzes the environmental impact that would occur if a LUL were granted to Gilman Construction for the storage of chipping material in an active opencut site on 5S 8W Sec. 28.

Glacier Peak Mainstream LLC as the proponent has applied for a 35' Right Of Way Easement in Section 16 Township 28N, Range 59E. That easement encumbers .318 acres and is 24 rods long across the state tract. The purpose of this easement is to construct and maintain a crude oil pipeline in addition to a waterline placed in the same easement across this tract.

The Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC), Missoula Unit is proposing the Goldielogs Timber Sale Project. The proposed action is located approximately 15 aerial miles east of Missoula in the Gold Creek area of Potomac, Montana.

Haymaker Energy Project, LLC is applying for a Land Use License to access and/or utilize State Trust Land for the following purpose(s): Conduct archaeological, wetland, and related environmental surveys to support agency review of a proposed wind energy project; Electrical resistivity testing will occur in addition to geotechnical boring (utilizing air rotary drilling techniques) to support transmission line structure installation; Conduct site reconnaissance for engineering or wildlife surveys

Pyramid Mountain Lumber has applied for a Streamside Management Zone (SMZ) Alternative Practice to operate equipment inside of the SMZ to facilitate slash removal and timber harvest on both sides of 900 feet of the James Ditch.

Triple derrick drilling rig to drill a single lateral horizontal Bakken Formation test, 21,042’MD/10,385’TVD.

Triple derrick drilling rig to drill a single lateral horizontal Bakken Formation test, 20,814’MD/10,404’TVD II

Kanduch Logging has requested Alternative Practices on three sites.

Avanti Energy Montana, LLC plans to drill a well for a Souris River/Flathead formation test 6331’ MD / TVD.

Triple derrick rig to drill a single lateral horizontal Bakken Formation test, 25,904’MD/9,506’TVD.

King Street Productions propose a filming project for the Paramount series, 1923, located on Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC) state trust land known as Rock City.

Triple derrick drilling rig to drill a single lateral horizontal Bakken Formation test, 26,407’MD/10,412’TVD.

Triple derrick drilling rig to drill a single lateral horizontal Bakken Formation test, 26,199’MD/10,429’TVD.

Triple derrick drilling rig to drill a single lateral horizontal Bakken Formation test, 26,138’MD/10,429’TVD.

Triple derrick drilling rig to drill a single lateral horizontal Bakken Formation test, 26,509’MD/10,444’TVD.

Climbing Arrow Ranch, LLC installed a private well and water line on state land in 1988, referred to herein as the “Project”. The location of the Project is within the W2 of Section 36, T5N, R5E. The Project resulted in a temporary disturbance on approximately 0.66 acres and was reseeded to native grass mix. See Exhibit A, Project Location Map. The water well and water pipeline are used for stockwater and domestic purposes on the Climbing Arrow Ranch, LLC’s private land east of the Project

NorthWestern Energy proposes a staging site for construction purposes on state land, referred to herein as the “Project”. The proposed location is within the NW4SE4 of Section 2, T31N, R5W. The Project will cause temporary disturbance on approximately 1.84 acres

The Montana DNRC, Stillwater Unit, has received a request from Kimberly G. Ledwell and Jacob M. Porter for an amendment to existing easement ROW-12464 near Trego, MT. The proposal would amend the existing easement ROW-12464. The current easement provides access to two privately owned parcels for the purpose of timber management. The amendment would add year-round residential access to each parcel. The road already exists, and footprint would not change. The total encumbrance would be 1.0 acres.

Hydra MT LLC plans to drill a well to use as a class II SWD injection well in the Dakota Formation. Surface casing to be set at 1,880’. Proposed TD is 5,703’ TVD, 8,966’ MD. II. PROJECT

LHC, Inc has applied for a permit to test for aggregate through the Minerals Management Bureau.

The Clearwater Unit of the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC) is proposing the Loose Horse Projects. The project is located approximately 9.25 miles south of Seeley Lake, Montana.

The proposed action is the issuance of a land use license for the collection of 2600 live willow whip cuttings, ~5-6 feet in length and ¼ - 1 inch in diameter, on ~200 ac of Common School Trust Lands. The purpose of the land use license is to procure willow whip cuttings for stream and wetland restoration projects on nearby lands.

Issuing a Land Use License (LUL) for general access to state land to mow 1-2 acres and remove existing metal gate and replace with a wood gate. This is in conjunction with filming the 1923 movie. No filming or other action will occur on state land. State land and gate will be seen on camera in the background.

Behm Energy, Inc plans to drill a vertical oil well with an objective formation being the Sawtooth, 4,490’ TVD/MD.

Behm Energy, Inc plans to drill a vertical oil well with an objective formation being the Sawtooth, 4,480’ TVD/MD. II

Proponent, Magnus Services, LLC, applied for a Land Use Licenses to lay temporary layflat hose for the purpose of transferring freshwater across State of Montana Land tracts. The water would be used in the fracturing of a horizontal Bakken formation oil well.

Malmstrom Air Force Base is requesting a Right of Way for the expansion of the sewer lagoon. The justification for this expansion is costly frequent pumping and issues during the winter with the lagoon freezing. In association with this project, they are requesting to relocate an existing helicopter pad and access road to accommodate the lagoon expansion.

The Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC), Stillwater Unit, is proposing to remove a user-built boat ramp and block unauthorized motorized access to the shore of Murray Lake, in Flathead County, MT

Proponent proposes to use an existing road on state land in Sections 13 & 24, T12S R10W to import and export materials (gravel and silt) to and from a stream restoration project on private land and more easily access the private reaches of the stream

Bozeman Trax Partners is applying for a Land Use License (LUL) to provide temporary access on an existing gravel road to a cell tower on their deeded land. The width of existing road is ~30 feet and the length is ~500 feet. The total acres involved is less than 1 acre. The project area is within the municipal boundaries of the City of Bozeman, MT.

The proponent will be installing a boundary/grazing fence on their state land grazing lease for normal livestock operations.

Denbury Onshore plans to drill a horizontal well into the Mission Canyon Formation 7,283’ TVD / 13,293’ MD. Surface casing to be set at 1,700’ and cemented to surface.

Denbury Onshore plans to drill a vertical well into the Silurian-Ordovician Formations 9,093’ MD / 8,963’ TVD. Surface casing to be set at 2,000’ and cemented to surface.

Hydra MT LLC plans to drill a well to use as a class II SWD injection well in the Dakota Formation. Surface casing to be set at 1,880’. Proposed TD is 5,780’ MD / TVD

Hydra MT LLC plans to drill a well to use as a class II SWD injection well in the Dakota Formation. Surface casing to be set at 1,880’. Proposed TD is 8140’ MD, 5714’ TVD.

This action would authorize a right-of-way for the expansion of the sewer lagoon at Missile Alert Facility L 01“LIMA” on Trust Lands, including associated construction, maintenance, and use. The lagoon has reached its current capacity, reducing its effectiveness. Additionally, during winter months, maintaining and draining the lagoon at its existing size becomes costly and operationally challenging.

Mote Lumber has applied for a Streamside Management Zone (SMZ) Alternative Practice for approximately 500 feet on both sides of Indian Meadows Creek on private land owned by Silver King Land & Cattle, LLC. Downstream of the project area the creek contributes directly to Landers Fork and normally flows during six months of the year or more, therefore this is a Class 1 under the Streamside Management Zone Law. The applicant seeks an Alternative Practice to operate equipment to within 15 feet of the ordinary high-water mark, operate a landing, and cut additional trees. The primary purpose of this treatment is to remove standing live and dead trees that are a safety hazard for project workers who will be constructing a faux beaver dam following harvest to provide an initial safe location for beaver. Up to 10 trees per 100 feet on each side of the stream will be retained to provide snags for wildlife.

Proponent wishes to cross Alder Creek, a class 2 SMZ, when it is dry, to harvest ground otherwise inaccessible.

As part of Montana Tunnel Mine, Inc approved reclamation plan, a portion of Clancy Creek would be relocated and the original location would be harvested and reshaped to stabilize the slopes

Proponent has applied to operate equipment within the SMZ and remove trees within the SMZ that pose a hazard to adjacent structures.

Proponent applied to use existing skid trail with in a class 3 SMZ.

Response to South Yaak Fire in summer 2021. USFS intends to remove dead and hazardous trees that could impact public travel along the Kilbrennan Lake Road. Operation of equipment within the SMZ and removal of additional trees has been requested

The DNRC Missoula Unit Trust Lands is issuing a Temporary Road Use Permit to the Lolo National Forest/DNRC GNA program.

MCR, LLC plans to re-enter well with an objective formation being the Swift, 3,010’ TVD/MD.

LHC, Inc. has applied to test for gravel on State Trust Lands

The proponent, Wayne Thunberg, is applying for a Land Use License to utilize a ±0.75-acre area of State Trust Land. Mr. Thunberg has been in trespass by using this portion of land for temporary construction access a portion of his private lands south of State Section 16, as shown in ‘Exhibit A’ without State authorization. Due to the topographical limitations of his private lands, the only way to access the construction site on his lands is to cross the state section. The proponent utilized this portion of state land without proper authorization and is now seeking proper permission and permits in order to continue utilizing this portion. The illegal use of the Trust land was discovered during the grazing lease evaluation process.

The proponent, Timberline Farm and Ranch, LTD, whose has applied to the DNRC Southern Land Office (SLO) for a Land Use License to permit the use of a two-track road on the south half of Section 36, Township 10 North, Range 29 East in order to access his private lands west of said section as shown in Exhibit ‘A.’ The proponent currently is the owner of the lands belonging to Bergin Farm and Ranch LLC south and east of the State Section. These lands are in the same vicinity as each other, the only legal access to Timberline Farm and Ranch LTD Co lands is on the far southwestern corner of their private held block of land, which is about a 15 mile re-route. The proponent is requesting a Land Use License to access these lands more efficiently by utilizing the existing two-track road on the State Trust Land.

Telecommunications line to N Havre Co. Water Dist.

Forza Operating, LLC plans to drill a well for a Nisku formation test 8,109’ MD / 3,416 TVD.

A Categorical Exclusion for the Two Bear Therapeutic Riding Center for a one-day trail ride from South Spencer Trailhead to Spencer Ridge on system roads and trails.

Objectives of the project include: • Use of Sections 4, 9, and 16; T15N-R12W for training sites and a winter base camp.

The United States Border Patrol has requested a land use license from the DNRC Eastern Land Office for the purpose of installing an image detection system and solar panel upon a tract of State Trust Land. The image detection system will consist of a camera approximately 5”x2.5”x7” and a solar panel 31”x18.5”x8”. This system will assist local, state and federal law enforcement agencies with conducting investigations.

The United States Border Patrol. (Henceforth referred to as proponent) has requested a land use license from the DNRC Eastern Land Office for the purpose of installing an image detection system and solar panel upon the tract of State Trust Land referenced above. The image detection system will consist of a camera approximately 5”x2.5”x7” and a solar panel 31”x18.5”x8”. This system will assist local, state and federal law enforcement agencies with conducting investigations.

Triple derrick drilling rig to drill a single lateral horizontal Bakken Formation test, 21,193’MD/10,359’TVD.

Triple derrick drilling rig to drill a single lateral horizontal Bakken Formation test, 20,950’MD/10,368’TVD.

Triple derrick drilling rig to drill a single lateral horizontal Bakken Formation test, 20,801’MD/10,383’TVD.

City of Whitefish is proposing a right of way easement for a pedestrian bridge through navigable waters of the Whitefish River. City of Whitefish proposes a strip of land 12 feet wide, 6 feet on each side of a centerline located in the Northwest quarter of the Northwest quarter of Section 36, Township 31 North, Range 22 West, Principal Meridian, Montana, containing 0.021 acres more or less.

The City of Whitefish is proposing a right of way easement for a pedestrian bridge through navigable waters of the Whitefish River. The City of Whitefish is proposing to encumber a strip of land 12 feet wide, 6 feet on each side of a centerline located in the Northwest quarter of the Northwest quarter of Section 36, Township 31 North, Range 22 West, Principal Meridian, Montana, more particularly described as follows: Commencing at Northeast corner of Lot 1, Hendrix Tracts, City of Whitefish, Records of Flathead County, thence N3°56'29''W, 290.00 feet to the TRUE POINT-OF-BEGINNING, said point being the intersection of the centerline of the Whitefish Yards Pedestrian Bridge and the Westerly low water mark of Whitefish River, a state navigable river; thence following the centerline of said bridge. N72°01 '42"E, 76.19 feet to the Easterly low water mark of said river, said point being the POINT-OF TERMINUS; thence S9°30'50"W, 317.80 feet to the Northeast corner of said Lot 1, Hendrix Tracts; containing 0.021 acres more or less. The lands involved in this proposed project are held by the State of Montana in trust for Montana Public Land-Trust Navigable Rivers Trust per the Enabling Act of February 22, 1889; 1972 Montana Constitution, Article X, Section 11. The Board of Land Commissioners and DNRC are required by law to administer these trust lands to produce the largest measure of reasonable and legitimate return over the long run for the beneficiary institutions (Section 77-1-202, MCA). City of Whitefish is proposing a right of way easement for a pedestrian bridge through navigable waters of the Whitefish River. The City of Whitefish is proposing to encumber a strip of land 12 feet wide, 6 feet on each side of a centerline located in the Northwest quarter of the Northwest quarter of Section 36, Township 31 North, Range 22 West, Principal Meridian, Montana

The proposed change is to add a new pipeline and stock tank to Statement of Claim 40C 30137879 in order to move water to a dry field where cattle needing water will be rotated through. One stock tank and approximately 1,600 feet of pipeline will be added. The Point of Diversion is located in Govt Lot 6, NWSW, Sec 6, Twp 19N, Rge 24E in Fergus County and the additional stock tank location is located in NWSENE, Sec 1, Twn 19N, Rge 23E in Fergus County. The stock watering system operates at 35 Gallons Per Minute and has a float/shut off valve. The DNRC shall issue a water use change authorization if an applicant proves the criteria in 85-2-402 MCA are met.

Triple derrick drilling rig to drill a single lateral horizontal Middle Bakken Formation test, 20,223’MD/10,168’TVD.

Triple derrick drilling rig to drill a single lateral horizontal Middle Bakken Formation test, 20,332’MD/10,178’TVD.