Montana Department of Environmental Quality

A Montana district court ruled in favor of an environmental group that challenged the state's approval of new septic systems in the Gallatin Valley. The group argued that the state failed to assess cumulative impacts from the septic systems and how they may harm the river.

A third of Montana waterways are impaired by nutrient pollution. Environmental groups are petitioning the state to stop issuing permits they say make the problem worse.

The town of Belt has worked with the state for decades to tackle issues left by the Anaconda Coal Mine. A new multimillion-dollar water treatment facility will finally fix that. The plant will clean the acid drainage before discharging it back into the creek.

BLM continues oil and gas approvals despite federal shutdown; Environmental groups are petitioning the state to stop issuing pollution discharge permits until new standards can be set; The Montana State Prison has the green light to resume water use in all areas of the facility after a water line broke in October.

In 2023, the DEQ listed sections of the Gallatin River as impaired due to recurring algal blooms. The blooms choke out fish and degrade water quality. State scientists are amid a six-year study trying to understand what's causing the harmful blooms. The state says it will use the results to inform local development regulations and a plan to protect the river.

The Trump administration wants to repeal greenhouse gas regulations that limit emissions for cars and a variety of other sources. State law prevents Montana from having air pollution standards stricter than the federal government.

The Montana Supreme Court last year ordered state environmental regulators to redo their assessment of a power plant near Laurel. The new report is out, but environmental advocates aren’t happy.

A new lawsuit claims the Montana Department of Environmental Quality failed to assess how nutrient pollution from septic systems near the town of Big Sky will harm the Gallatin River.

Widespread algae blooms are emerging across southwest Montana’s waterways. And, Fishing restrictions hit Southwest Montana.

The Milk River Project provides drinking and irrigation water to thousands of people along the Hi-Line. After a catastrophic failure in 2024, managers say irrigation will soon be restored in part. And, a lawsuit filed by conservation groups alleges water quality violations in Big Hole River management.