FAQs: Montana’s Draft Eutrophication Assessment Methods 

What is eutrophication?“Eutrophication” is the fancy scientific word describing the over-saturation of a waterbody with nutrients, including nitrogen and phosphorus, resulting in unhealthy ecological conditions. Excess nutrients can fuel algae and plant growth, which reduces oxygen and creates conditions harmful…

Top 5 Issues with Montana DEQ’s Draft Eutrophication Assessment Method

The Montana Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) is seeking public comments on the Draft Eutrophication Assessment Method for Wadeable Streams and Medium Rivers. “Eutrophication” is the fancy scientific word describing the over-saturation of a waterbody with nutrients, including nitrogen and…

Waterkeeper Files Notice of Intent to Sue the Environmental Protection Agency Over Inaction on Montana’s Impaired Waters

Montana’s Water Quality Integrated Report remains under federal review as politics override science On Wednesday, July 15, 2026, Upper Missouri Waterkeeper filed a 60-day Notice of Intent to Sue to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for its failure to take…

DEQ Announces Future Impairment Determination for Big Hole But Unnecessary Delays Anticipated

Waterkeeper’s Science and Advocacy Lead DEQ to Long-Overdue Big Hole River Protections; Concerns About Pollutants Driving Algal Blooms Remain At a Big Hole River Open House last night in Divide, the Montana Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) shared that it…

DEQ’s Draft Environmental Assessment for Subsurface Wastewater Systems

The Montana Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) is now accepting public comment on its draft programmatic Environmental Assessment (EA) for the construction and operation of subsurface wastewater treatment systems (SWTS). A coalition of conservation groups, including Upper Missouri Waterkeeper, Montana…

Top 5 Issues of DEQ’s Programmatic Environmental Assessment for Subsurface Wastewater Systems

The Montana Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) is accepting public comment on its draft programmatic Environmental Assessment (EA) for the construction and operation of subsurface wastewater treatment systems (SWTS). Here are the top five issues with the EA as proposed:…