Sweeping open-cut permitting bill in Montana Legislature creating a gravel pit predicament
Montana 67th Legislative Session
April 22, 2021
HELENA According to data from the Montana Department of Transportation, the Treasure State is home to more than 1,800 gravel pits. These so-called “open-cut” mining provides material critical to everything from paving roads to building homes.
Proponents of a bill that could soon head to Gov. Greg Gianforte’s desk say it could pave the way for even more gravel production in the state by further easing the permitting process for certain types of operations. But some landowners worry that House Bill 599 would allow gravel operations to impact their water supply and tank their property values and eliminate the opportunity to have a voice in the process.