Montana Title 82. Minerals, Oil, and Gas § 82-4-439. Extended review--criteria--timeframes

(2)(a) For a complete application subject to an extended review, the department shall, within 60 days from the date the department determines the application warrants an extended review, inspect the proposed site if the department determines an inspection is necessary and notify the applicant as to whether or not the application is acceptable pursuant to 82-4-432. If the application is unacceptable, the notice must include a detailed explanation of the deficiencies.

(b) Within 30 days of receipt of the applicant's response to the identified deficiencies, the department shall review the responses and notify the applicant as to whether or not the application is acceptable. If the application is unacceptable, the department shall notify the applicant in writing and include a detailed identification of the deficiencies.

(c) The department may for sufficient cause extend either or both of the review periods in subsection (2)(a) or (2)(b) for an additional 30 days if it notifies the applicant of the extension prior to the end of the respective original period. The department shall include in the notification of extension the reason for the extension.

(d) If the application is acceptable, the department shall issue a permit or a permit amendment to the operator that entitles the operator to engage in the opencut operation on the land described in the application.