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.

Film/Photograph for running company

Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC) proposes an easement grant to the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to provide public access parking on the existing Garnet Range Road “Hwy 200” parking lot. It would encumber 2.15 acres (see Easement Exhibit A on page 6) and include placement of a snow groomer storage shed.

operation of an existing irrigation water supply line.

The document reviews the environmental impacts of land use license applications that request authorization to lay hose along the ground surface of Trust Lands in order to transport water to an oil and gas well site for its use in well stimulation or fracking. This document identifies impacts that are consistent across applications and those that are site-specific or unique. The action alternative was approved and the Department will utilize the programmatic review as the basis of it's analysis for layflat hose land use license applications for the next ten years. A site specific checklist EA was created from this analysis and will be used to identify unique impacts to each application moving forward.

Jerry McMillen has requested permission from the DNRC for the purpose of connecting an existing tank to an existing stock water pipeline. The current well feeding this tank has failed. This pipeline would be installed using the trenching method and be approximately 400 feet in length. This pipeline should create more reliable water sources for livestock and wildlife in the area, while creating better grazing distribution within the scope of the project.

The Stillwater Unit of the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC) is proposing the Antice Flats Forest Management Project. The project is located approximately 10 miles northeast of Olney, Montana in Flathead County.

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.

The Missoula Unit of the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC) is proposing the CAMASPEN PROJECT. The project is located approximately 4 miles southeast of Potomac, Montana in the Camas Creek drainage in Missoula County Objectives of the project include: • Regenerate aspen and improve overall health of existing aspen colonies • Remove conifer encroachment • Promote existing camas plants in meadows

The CITT Off-Season Stock Water Mitigation Grant Program was created to address changes to the Flathead Indian Irrigation Project that will result in the loss of stock water outside of the irrigation season. The proposed action includes 10 grant-funded projects which will address this need. These projects will involve installing new wells, stock tanks, waterline, pumphouses, and fencing; and connecting to electrical service. Projects are grouped because of their similar nature and location.

The CITT Off-Season Stock Water Mitigation Grant Program was created to address changes to the Flathead Indian Irrigation Project that will result in the loss of stock water outside of the irrigation season. The proposed action includes 6 grant-funded projects which will address this need. These projects will involve installing new wells, stock tanks, waterline, pumphouses, and fencing; and connecting to electrical service. Projects are grouped because of their similar nature and location.

The CITT Off-Season Stock Water Mitigation Grant Program was created to address changes to the Flathead Indian Irrigation Project that will result in the loss of stock water outside of the irrigation season. The proposed action includes 8 grant-funded projects which will address this need. These projects will involve installing new wells, stock tanks, waterline, pumphouses, and fencing; and connecting to electrical service. Projects are grouped because of their similar nature and location.

The CITT Off-Season Stock Water Mitigation Grant Program was created to address changes to the Flathead Indian Irrigation Project that will result in the loss of stock water outside of the irrigation season. The proposed action includes 7 grant-funded projects which will address this need. These projects will involve installing new wells, stock tanks, waterline, pumphouses, and fencing; and connecting to electrical service. Projects are grouped because of their similar nature and location.

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

The Stillwater Unit of the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC) is proposing the Dog Rock Timber Sale. The project is located approximately 8 miles north of Olney, Montana in Flathead County.

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.

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.

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 Proponent has requested to install an improvement consisting of a stock water pipeline and a stock tank on this tract of State Trust Land. The pipeline would tie into an existing line located on deeded property to the south and extend approximately 5200 feet through the tract. The line would be installed utilizing a static plow method. This stock water development project should create more reliable water sources for livestock and wildlife, while creating better grazing distribution within the scope of the project. Two stock tanks would be placed on the tract of trust land. The lessee is working on form 606-ST

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.

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

The Trust Lands Forest Management Program of the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC) is proposing the Phase 2 HB 883 Precommercial Thinning Project. The project is located across 3 counties within the Stillwater, Kalispell, Swan and Libby DNRC administrative Units.

Treasure State Drilling rig #5 drill to 6,500’ depth.

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.

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

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 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 applied for a Land Use License for temporary layflat hose for the purpose of transferring freshwater across State of Montana Land tracts. The water would be utilized in the fracturing of a horizontal Bakken formation oil well.

Authorize two youth bicycle races on approximately 7 miles of existing Nordic ski trails.

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.

Range Telephone Cooperative has requested a right-of-way easement from the DNRC for the purpose of placing an underground fiber optic cable across the referenced tract of State-owned land.

The Dillon Unit of the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC) is proposing the Sheep Canyon Timber Permit. The project is located approximately 14 miles south of Dillon, Montana.

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.

Special Recreational Use License - guided climbing lessons in the Point of Rocks area. Licensee will abide by all stipulations in license after review by DNRC biologist, hydrologist, and archeologist.

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

Riverside Contracting, Inc., henceforth referred to as the proponent, has applied for an aggregate take and remove permit on the referenced tract in Hill County, Montana. The proponent has obtained an opencut mining permit from the Montana Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) for this tract. Opencut permit number 3701 was approved by the Montana Department of Environmental Quality’s Opencut Mining Bureau on May 9, 2025. In conjunction with the approval of the Opencut Mining Permit, the Montana DEQ conducted an environmental assessment in accordance with the Montana Environmental Policy Act. The Montana DEQ selected the action alternative and issued an opencut mining permit on 42.0 acres of State Trust Lands and private lands in Hill County, Montana. The current DEQ opencut permit allows for the use of an asphalt plant, conveyor, crushing equipment, pug mill, and a screen. If the proponent wishes to utilize the permitted area for the use of an asphalt plant, they must pay an additional rental fee through their aggregate take and remove permit. This analysis, as well as the DEQ analysis, includes the impacts of the use of an asphalt plant at any time over the lifetime of the pit.

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.

The Town of Jordan (Henceforth referred to as proponent) has requested a permanent easement for the construction and operation of a sanitary sewer easement upon the above-referenced state tract. The project will encompass a 32 acre lagoon cell in order to convert the existing lagoon into a total retention wastewater system. In addition, the proponent has requested a 30’ easement for a lift station and force main under Big Dry Creek; these will be installed to transport wastewater effluent from existing lagoon cells to the new fourth cell. The permanent easement for the lagoon would encompass 37.196 acres. The permanent easement for the pipeline would encompass 0.91 acres. The total encompassed area would be 38.106 acres.

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.

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

The Anaconda Unit of the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC) is considering sale of the Upper Willow Timber Permit. The project is located approximately 15 miles northwest of Philipsburg, Montana.

This proposal includes fuel reduction through conifer removal on approximately 465 acres and timber harvest on roughly 85 acres, along with 2.5 miles of road maintenance. To promote rangeland vigor and reduce hazardous fuels, juniper and sub-merchantable Douglas-fir trees under 15” DBH would be removed in lop-and-scatter units, while those under 10” DBH would be removed in cut-and-pile units. The project includes approximately 400 acres of lop-and-scatter treatment and 65 acres of cut-and-pile treatment on state land. Timber harvest treatments may include overstory removal and sanitation prescriptions in Douglas-fir and Spruce sawtimber stands impacted by insects and disease, with an estimated harvest of 200 MBF on approximately 85 acres. Slash piles will be burned during the winter months when conditions are safe. Beaverhead County’s draft Community Wildfire Preparedness Plan (CWPP) and the DNRC MTFAP designate this area as a high wildfire-risk area. This proposal aims to reduce wildfire risk, protect community infrastructure, restore resilient landscapes, and enhance public awareness and firefighter safety to the Upper Grasshopper Valley.

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.

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.

The Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC) Conservation and Resource Development Division (CARDD) is issuing the FINAL Environmental Assessment for the Winifred Wastewater Treatment and Discharge Project. The project proposes to use American Rescue Plan Act funds to construct a new 3-celled facultative lagoon north of the town and construct an adjacent spray irrigation process for the disposal of effluent. A new lift station will pump from the existing sewer collection main on the northeast side of Town and pump to the new treatment and disposal facilities approximately one-half mile due north of town. The implementation of this new facility should eliminate the Montana Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (MPDES) discharge permit, address public health concerns associated with noncompliant discharge, protect local groundwater, improve aquatic life conditions in Dog Creek, and develop a new water supply for beneficial use of a marketable crop (alfalfa) through spray irrigation.

Zach Johnson has requested a land use license from the DNRC for the purpose of placing and maintaining a stock water pipeline across state-owned T9S-R46E-Sec 16. The pipeline will run from a well located on T9S-R46E-Sec 17 and terminate on the south side of T9S-R46E-Sec 9. This pipeline would be installed using the rip trench/static plow method and be approximately 1 mile in length. This pipeline should create more reliable water sources for livestock and wildlife in the area, while creating better grazing distribution within the scope of the project. No stock tanks will be placed upon trust land only buried pipeline.