Montana Title 75. Environmental Protection § 75-5-405. Voluntary filing of performance bond--terms--hearing

(1) A person who holds or has applied for a permit pursuant to 75-5-401 may voluntarily file a performance bond or other surety with the department for an amount sufficient to enable the state to reclaim the land disturbed by the project or activity authorized by the permit in accordance with all permit requirements and as needed to prevent pollution of state waters.

(2) If the department determines that the bonding level does not represent the present cost of reclaiming the disturbed land according to the reclamation requirements specified in the permit and the present cost of preventing pollution of state waters, the department shall notify the permittee and the permittee may modify the amount of the bond to accurately reflect the present cost.

(3) The department may not release all or any portion of a performance bond or other surety filed pursuant to this section until reclamation of the disturbed land has been completed to the satisfaction of the department and the department has determined that pollution of state waters has not occurred. The department may initiate bond forfeiture proceedings if the permittee fails to satisfactorily reclaim the disturbed land or prevent pollution of state waters.

(4) The department may not release a bond or other surety filed pursuant to this section until the public has been provided an opportunity for a hearing.