Montana Title 82. Minerals, Oil, and Gas § 82-4-122. Application and approval of permit

(1) A person desiring a mine-site location permit shall file with the department an application that must contain a reclamation plan for any preparatory work and any other information the department considers necessary to determine if the proposed area to be affected by the operation is appropriate for the location of a new strip mine or a new underground mine. The department may require any information included in but not limited to an application for a strip-mining permit or underground-mining permit as required by part 2 of this chapter.

(2) Except as provided in 75-1-205(4) and 75-1-208(4)(b), the department shall notify the applicant within 365 days of receipt of a complete application if the proposed site is an acceptable location for development of a new strip mine or a new underground mine. If the site is approved, the department shall issue the applicant a mine-site location permit. If the location is not approved, the department shall notify the applicant in writing, setting forth reasons why the location is not acceptable. The department shall also notify the applicant within 365 days of receipt of a complete application whether the proposed reclamation plan is or is not acceptable. If the plan is not acceptable, the department shall set forth the reasons for nonacceptance of the plan. It may propose modifications, delete areas, or reject the entire plan.