Public Notice: Draft UIC Class V Aquifer Exemption Expansion and Area of Review Expansion – Montalban Oil and Gas Operations, Jody Field 34-1 & 34-2, Pondera County, Montana
Summary
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Underground Injection Control (UIC) program is providing public notice for the Montalban Oil and Gas Operations (MOGO) permit modifications and Aquifer Exemption (AE) expansion for the Jody Field 34-1 & 34-2 wells. The updated AE expands the area of the existing AE to account for the natural hydraulic gradient and accommodate for migration of injected fluids. The AE for the associated project has been updated based on comments received during the comment period provided ending in 2024. As a result, the Area of Review (AOR) for the permits has also been expanded. These wells are located in the Loneman Coulee Oil Field north of Great Falls in Pondera County, Montana. Relevant documents for this action can be found at: https://www.epa.gov/uic/underground-injection-control-epa-region-8-co-mt-nd-sd-ut-and-wy or at http://www.regulations.gov, Docket # EPA-R08-OW-2025-0852.
The purpose of this public notification is to provide interested and affected parties the opportunity to specifically comment on the proposed changes to the MOGO Jody Field 34-1 & 34-2 draft permits and Draft AE Record of Decision, as required by 40 CFR §§ 25.4(c) and 124.10. The public will have until September 26, 2025, to provide comments on the proposed changes.
Public input that EPA will consider during this comment period are limited to the changes made since the first public notice period in 2023-2024, specifically the lateral AE expansion, expanded AOR, and AOR analysis. EPA will review all relevant comments and make a final decision on the proposed changes after the comment period closes.
This notice also serves to provide the public with notice of a public hearing on the proposed changes that will be held prior to the close of the comment period.
Regulations addressing aquifer exemptions can be found at 40 C.F.R §§ 144.7 and 146.4. Regulations addressing area of review can be found at 40 C.F.R §§ 146.6.
Further notifications about this opportunity for public comment will appear only on this website and will not be provided via newspaper.
Applicants or Respondents
Montalban Oil and Gas Operations Inc.33 1st Avenue Southwest
Cutbank, MT 59427
United States