2019 Montana Code Annotated
Title 75. Environmental Protection
Chapter 2. Air Quality
Part 4. Enforcement, Appeal, and Penalties
75-2-402. Emergency procedure

75-2-402. Emergency procedure. (1) Any other law to the contrary notwithstanding, if the department finds that a generalized condition of air pollution exists and that it creates an emergency requiring immediate action to protect human health or safety, the department shall order persons causing or contributing to the air pollution to immediately reduce or discontinue the emission of air contaminants. Upon issuance of this order, the department shall fix a place and time within 24 hours for a hearing to be held before the board. Within 24 hours after the start of the hearing and without adjournment, the board shall confirm, modify, or set aside the order of the department.

(2) Except as provided in subsection (1), if the department finds that emissions from the operation of one or more air contaminant sources are causing imminent danger to human health or safety, it may order the person responsible for the operation in question to reduce or discontinue emissions immediately, without regard for 75-2-401. In this event, the requirements for hearing and confirmation, modification, or setting aside of orders as provided in subsection (1) apply.

(3) This section does not limit any power that the governor or any other officer may have to declare an emergency and act on the basis of this declaration, whether the power is conferred by statute or the constitution or is inherent to the office.

History: (1) thru (3)En. Sec. 12, Ch. 313, L. 1967; amd. Sec. 21, Ch. 349, L. 1974; amd. Sec. 7, Ch. 140, L. 1977; Sec. 69-3915, R.C.M. 1947; (4)En. Sec. 14, Ch. 313, L. 1967; amd. Sec. 9, Ch. 140, L. 1977; Sec. 69-3917, R.C.M. 1947; R.C.M. 1947, 69-3915, 69-3917(2); amd. Sec. 2, Ch. 417, L. 2013.