Montana Title 75. Environmental Protection § 75-5-318. Short-term water quality standards for turbidity

(1) Upon authorization by the department or the department of fish, wildlife, and parks pursuant to subsection (4), the short-term water quality standards for total suspended sediment and turbidity resulting from stream-related construction activities or stream enhancement projects are the narrative standards for total suspended sediment adopted by the department under 75-5-301. If a short-term narrative standard is authorized under this section, the numeric standard for turbidity adopted by the department under 75-5-301 does not apply to the affected water body during the term of the narrative standard.

(2) The department shall review each application for short-term standards on a case-by-case basis to determine whether there are reasonable alternatives that preclude the need for a narrative standard. If the department determines that the numeric standard for turbidity adopted under 75-5-301 cannot be achieved during the term of the activity and that there are no reasonable alternatives to achieve the numeric standard, the department may authorize the use of a narrative standard for a specified term.

(3) Each authorization issued by the department must include conditions that minimize, to the extent practicable, the magnitude of any change in water quality and the length of time during which any change may occur. The authorization must also include site-specific conditions that ensure that the activity is not harmful, detrimental, or injurious to public health and the uses of state waters and that ensure that existing and designated beneficial uses of state water are protected and maintained upon completion of the activity. The department may not authorize short-term narrative standards for activities requiring a discharge permit under rules adopted pursuant to 75-5-401. Authorizations issued under this section may include conditions that require water quality or quantity monitoring and reporting.

(4) In the performance of its responsibilities under this section, the department may negotiate operating agreements with other departments of state government that are intended to minimize duplication in review of activities eligible for authorizations under this section. The department of fish, wildlife, and parks may, in accordance with subsections (1), (2), and (3), authorize short-term water quality standards for total suspended sediment and turbidity for any stream construction project that it reviews under Title 75, chapter 7, part 1, or Title 87, chapter 5, part 5.