State of Montana Newsroom
DEQ Issues Draft Hazardous Waste Permit for Malmstrom Air Force Base
Public Comment Period Now Open
Department of Environmental Quality
HELENA— The Montana Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) is proposing to reissue a hazardous waste permit to Malmstrom Air Force Base (MAFB) in Cascade County for operation of a hazardous waste storage facility and continued remediation of contaminated areas on the base. As part of the permit reissuance process the public is encouraged to provide comments on the draft permit and environmental assessment during the public comment period.Hazardous waste permits issued by DEQ are in effect for 10 years and must be reissued or terminated at the end of that period. A hazardous waste permit was initially issued to MAFB in 1989 and reissued in 2001 and 2012. The permit allows storage of hazardous waste in an on-site storage building for up to one year. In addition, MAFB must conduct facility-wide investigation and remediation of hazardous waste and hazardous constituents that may have been released to the environmental including soil, sediment, groundwater and surface water. Hazardous wastes stored in the on-site storage building include solvent wipes used for weapons cleaning, paint stripper and thinner, acids and bases, pesticides, and some pharmaceutical wastes. MAFB also uses the building for storage of universal wastes, such as mercury-containing light bulbs and batteries, and non-hazardous wastes. Stored wastes are generated on-base and at missile alert and launch control facilities under the control of MAFB.
A 45-day public comment period will be open until Nov. 16, 2022, after which DEQ will review comments and make a final decision on the permit reissuance. Comments can be submitted electronically or by mail. A public hearing will be held if DEQ determines, based upon requests, that there is a significant degree of public interest. To view the draft permit and environmental assessment, and to learn more about how to submit comments or request a public hearing, please visit: https://deq.mt.gov/News/publiccomment-folder/Malmstrom-AFB-09302022