EPA Public Hearing

EPA Public Hearing on Madison Aquifer

On September 23, 2025, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) held a Public Hearing on whether to approve the permit to grant Montana Renewables an exemption to allow up to 11.5 billion gallons of jet fuel wastewater to be injected into 2 wells by Valier over the next 40 years.

Mayor Wes Seabolt, Public Works Director Glen Howendobler, and Town Clerk Sue Violette attended the public meeting in Conrad. 33 people gave public comment, 32 Commissioners, Mayors, and citizens opposed the approval of this permit. 1 person supported the approval of the permit.

Mayor Seabolt spoke on behalf of the Town of Cascade. He reiterated that the Town’s Wells feeds clean water from the Madison Aquifer to the town and is the Town’s only source of drinking water. The Town of Cascade made it clear that we do not support this permit.

They have not been allowed to sample the wastewater to verify what is actually going to be injected ​i​nto the aquifer.

The EPA will only review and act upon public comments. (Aquifer Exemption Expansion) The Town urges everyone to submit public comments. The deadline to have public comment is October 13, 2025. You should mail your comments by October 10, 2025, as October 13, 2025, is a holiday and there will be no mail. You can go to the EPA’s website; however, it is not easy to use​, and it is very limited.

Public comments may be mailed to:

Ms. Velrey Lozano

U.S. EPA Region 8

Mail Code: 8WD-SDZU

1595 Wynkoop Street

Denver, CO 80202-1129