Program Overview
The Opencut Section reviews permit and amendment applications within its statutory timeframe to ensure Opencut minerals (bentonite, clay, scoria, soil materials, peat, sand or gravel) are extracted in accordance with the act and rules to ensure adequate protection of environmental resources and successful reclamation of the affected land back to a productive postmining land use.
If you believe you need a permit, applicable forms and instructions can be found by clicking the "Permitting and Operator Assistance" button. Contact us if you have questions or run into problems with any of the information. We're here to help!
Opencut Permits & Locations
To review the permit for an existing Opencut site, click the button below to visit DEQ's data portal where you can search Opencut permits.
Permitted Opencut site locations may be viewed using DEQ's web mapping application. Click the button below to view the map. If you experience issues viewing the application, it may help to try a different browser. For information on how to use the application, please view the instructional video, How to Use Opencut's Web Mapping Application.
View Permitted Opencut Locations
Opencut Mining Contacts
Section Supervisor
Whitney Bausch (406) 444-3403
Unit Coordinator
J.J. Conner (406) 444-4979
Bond Questions/Program Support Specialist
Laura Hunn (406) 444-4949
Bond Questions/Program Support Specialist
Blayne Ehlke (406) 444-4936
Program Support Specialist - Kalispell
Elizabeth Smith (406) 755-8965
Reclamation Specialist
Bryan Allison (406) 444-4969
Reclamation Specialist
Carly Russell (406) 444-4796
Reclamation Specialist
Ruby Hopkins (406) 444-7444
Reclamation Specialist
Anne Spezia (406) 444-9786
Reclamation Specialist
Bailey Tasker (406) 444-6726
Reclamation Specialist
Madeline VerWey (406) 444-2885
Reclamation Specialist
Eric Tackett (406) 444-6804