Montana Code Annotated 2023

TITLE 75. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION

CHAPTER 10. WASTE AND LITTER CONTROL

Part 4. Hazardous Waste Management

Permits

75-10-406. Permits. (1) A person may not construct or operate a hazardous waste management facility without first obtaining a permit from the department for the facility, except that the department may, by rule, prescribe conditions under which specified hazardous wastes or specified quantities of hazardous waste may be disposed of at solid waste disposal sites licensed by the department pursuant to Title 75, chapter 10, part 2.

(2) Any person who wishes to construct or operate a hazardous waste management facility shall apply to the department for a permit on forms provided by the department. An application must contain, at a minimum, the name and business address of the applicant, the location of the proposed facility, a plan of operation and maintenance, and a description of pertinent site characteristics.

(3) A permit may be issued for a period specified by the department and is subject to renewal by the department upon a showing that the facility has been operated in accordance with the terms of the permit and the rules applicable to the facility and in compliance with the provisions of this part and any applicable order of the board or department.

(4) Any permit issued is subject to revocation by the department for failure of the permittee to comply with the terms and conditions of the permit, the department rules, an order of the board or the department, or the provisions of this part. Any person who is denied a permit by the department or who has a permit revoked or modified shall be afforded an opportunity for a hearing before the board upon written application made within 30 days after service of notice of denial, revocation, or modification by mail. Service by mail is complete upon mailing.

(5) Notwithstanding any other provisions of this part, the department may, in the event of an imminent and substantial danger to public health or the environment, issue a temporary emergency permit to any person for treatment, storage, or disposal of hazardous waste or to any facility to handle hazardous waste not covered by the existing facility permit. Emergency permits may be oral or written, may not exceed 90 days in duration, and may be terminated by the department at any time prior to 90 days.

(6) The department may, as it considers appropriate, grant permits by rule to classes or categories of hazardous waste management facilities where the facility owner or operator is already licensed or permitted by the department pursuant to other state environmental statutes or where an interim period exists until final administrative disposition of a permit application is made.

(7) In permits issued under this section, the department shall require corrective action for all releases of hazardous waste or constituents at a treatment, storage, or disposal facility, including corrective action for releases that extend beyond the facility boundaries if necessary to protect public health or the environment. A permit must contain a schedule of compliance for corrective action and requirements for assurance of financial responsibility for completion of the corrective action.

(8) Each permit issued by the department to a person owning or operating a facility must contain the terms and conditions the department considers necessary to protect human health and the environment.

History: En. Sec. 13, Ch. 358, L. 1981; amd. Sec. 2, Ch. 336, L. 1987; amd. Sec. 3, Ch. 386, L. 1989.