HB685

Montana HB685 amends water quality standards and procedures for classifying outstanding resource waters.

Montana HB685 amends water quality standards and procedures for classifying outstanding resource waters. It modifies the definition of "high-quality waters" and establishes criteria for classifying waters as outstanding resource waters. The bill also revises the nondegradation policy, allowing degradation feasibility allowances under specific conditions. It mandates the Department of Environmental Quality to adopt rules for classifying waters as outstanding resource waters and authorizes fees for permit applications and annual discharges.