Public Notice: Opportunity to Comment on Draft Permit for the St. Ignatius South Side Wastewater Treatment Facility in Montana
Summary
The EPA intends to issue a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit under the authority of Section 402 of the Clean Water Act.
Activity
Discharge of treated municipal wastewater from the St. Ignatius South Side Wastewater Treatment Facility (WWTF) to an unnamed tributary to Sabine Creek. The facility is located west of US Highway 93 near the intersection of US Highway 93 and Sabine Road in St. Ignatius, Lake County, Montana. The facility’s discharge point (Outfall 001A) is located within the external boundaries of the Flathead Reservation at approximately latitude 47.318678° N, longitude 114.111149° W. Authorization for discharge is limited to only those outfalls specifically listed in the permit. During the treatment process, some sludge from the secondary clarifier is returned to the BiorotorTM, while excess sludge is pumped with a septic pumper when needed.
Public Comments
The public comment period ends 30 calendar days after the date of publication of this notice. Any interested person may submit written comments on the draft permit. Comments should be directed to Kenley Stone via email at the address listed in the "How to Comment" box above. If you are unable to adequately address comments via email, please reach out to Ms. Stone at the phone number provided to discuss alternative arrangements. All comments received prior to the end of the comment period will be considered in the formulation of any final permit determination and will be part of the administrative record. Any interested person may request a public hearing and the EPA will hold a hearing if the response to this notice indicates significant public interest. The EPA is also requesting comments on the possible adverse effects of reissuing the permit on historic properties and/or cultural resources in the area.
Permit Availability
The draft permit and the statement of basis for the draft permit are available below. The full administrative record – including all data submitted by the applicant – is available upon request for public inspection. For further information, please reach out to Ms. Stone at the contact information above.
Notification and details of any public comment period extension will be posted here. Interested parties on our email list will also be notified by email. If you wish to be added to our email list, there is a link to subscribe at About Region 8's NPDES Permit Program.
This draft permit was public noticed on the EPA's website on November 25, 2025.
Permittee
Rocki Davis, Operations Manager
Salish Kootenai Housing Authority
PO Box 38
Pablo, MT 59855