Legal Notice
Comprehensive Bond Review for Pipestone Quarry (Hard Rock Mining Operating Permit No. 00148)
The Montana Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) is conducting a comprehensive bond review for Operating Permit No. 00148 issued to Pipestone Quarry (PQ). PQ’s facility and associated disturbance is the Pipestone Quarry, approximately one and a half miles northwest of Pipestone, MT and about six miles west of Whitehall, MT in Jefferson County.
DEQ has determined that the current bonding level does not represent the present costs of compliance with the Metal Mine Reclamation Act, administrative rules adopted thereunder, and the operating permit. DEQ is proposing a bond increase of $255,515 (from $1,043,450 to $1,298,965). The bond increase is largely due to changes in fuel price and equipment rates, and updated indirect costs – mobilization, contingency, and administration costs.
The procedure for adjusting bonds as a result of a comprehensive bond review is set forth in Section 82-4-338(3), MCA. The permittee and the public will have until September 4, 2025, to comment on the proposed bond increase. DEQ will issue a final bond determination after the comment period has expired. The permittee, or any person with an interest that may be adversely affected by DEQ’s final bond determination, may obtain a contested case hearing before the Board of Environmental Review. A written request for a hearing must be filed with DEQ within 30 days of the issuance of the final bond determination, stating the reason for the request.
Requests for copies of the bond calculation associated with the comprehensive bond review, and any related questions should be directed to Millie Olsen, Hard Rock Mining Section Supervisor, Mining Bureau, Department of Environmental Quality, PO Box 200901, Helena, MT 59620-0901, by telephone at (406) 444-2461 or by e-mail at DEQHardRock@mt.gov.
Legal 25-081 Published in the Boulder Monitor August 6, 2025 MNAXLP
