75-5-315. Outstanding resource waters -- statement of purpose. (1) The legislature, understanding the requirements of applicable federal law and the uniqueness of Montana's water resource, recognizes that certain state waters are of such environmental, ecological, or economic value that the state should, upon a showing of necessity, prohibit, to the greatest extent practicable, changes to the existing water quality of those waters. Outstanding resource waters must be afforded the greatest protection feasible under state law, after thorough examination.
(2) The purpose of 75-5-316 and this section is to provide this protection, when necessary, and to provide guidance to the department in establishing rules to accomplish that level of protection.
History: En. Sec. 2, Ch. 501, L. 1995; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 208, L. 2003; amd. Sec. 45, Ch. 324, L. 2021.
Structure Montana Code Annotated
Title 75. Environmental Protection
Part 3. Classification and Standards
75-5-301. Classification and standards for state waters
75-5-303. Nondegradation policy
75-5-304. Adoption of standards -- pretreatment, effluent, performance
75-5-305. Adoption of requirements for treatment of wastes -- variance procedure -- appeals
75-5-306. Purer than natural unnecessary -- dams -- definition
75-5-307. Hearings required for classification, formulation of standards, and rulemaking
75-5-308. Short-term water authorizations -- water quality standards
75-5-310. Site-specific standards of water quality for aquatic life
75-5-311. Local water quality districts -- department approval -- local water quality programs
75-5-312. Temporary water quality standards
75-5-315. Outstanding resource waters -- statement of purpose
75-5-317. Nonsignificant activities
75-5-318. Short-term water quality standards for turbidity
75-5-320. Temporary water quality standards variances
75-5-321. Transition for nutrient standards
75-5-322. through 75-5-324 reserved