The right to a healthy environment is enshrined in Montana's Constitution, which directs the state and every person to "maintain and improve a clean and healthful environment in Montana for present and future generations." The values behind this directive are part of what make Montana such a great place to live, work, and play.
The Department of Environmental Quality administers most of Montana's environmental, cleanup, monitoring, pollution prevention, and energy conservation laws and regulations. We do so in a way that seeks to ensure environmentally responsible economic opportunity continues to drive growth, investment, and thriving communities in our state.
Here at Montana DEQ, we understand that environmental regulations can be complicated and often differ slightly from state to state or between federal, state, and local levels. We also recognize that the regulations governing our work have a direct impact on businesses, local governments, and all Montanans. DEQ staff are here to help you navigate these regulations. We know you expect the highest level of service from your state government and we seek to consistently meet or exceed your expectations.
This page serves as a one-stop-shop listing all of the regulatory products administered by DEQ. The information on this page is provided as a resource to anyone who may be seeking a permit, license, or other authorization to operate under Montana's environmental laws. The links below will connect you with more detailed information across our website that we hope will be helpful. Of course, if you do not find what you are looking for or still have questions, you can always contact us. We would love to speak with you about what environmental requirements may apply to your business or project.
An additional resource that may be helpful is the Montana Index of Environmental Permits. The 22nd Edition of this document was published by the Legislature's Environmental Quality Council in 2020 and provides an index, by industry sector, of all environmental permits across Montana state agencies.