(Helena) – A tentative determination has been made by DEQ to issue a 401 certification for the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway (BNSF), Bowdoin Siding & Malta Crossover Project.
The project is proposing to construct two components along the Milk River Subdivision: a crossover installation in the vicinity of in the existing Malta Yard located in Malta and an extension of the existing Bowdoin Siding from butting the Bowdoin National Wildlife Refuge. The extension component will include widening the existing water crossing over wetland and pond water features at to carry water under the main line, construction of a siding extension, and construction of a private service road within existing BNSF right-of-way for BNSF access to their tracks.
Public comments are invited and must be received by 11:59 p.m. on JUNE 18. Comments may be directed to the DEQ Water Quality Division, Water Protection Bureau, PO Box 200901, Helena, MT 59620
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PROJECT NAME:
Bowdoin Siding & Malta Crossover
LOCATION:
The project site is located at Latitude 48.384126°, Longitude -107.644060°; between Mile Post (MP) 330.67 to MP 332.32, near the town of Malta, in Phillips County, Montana.
RECEIVING WATER:
Adjacent wetlands and open water pond
CERTIFICATION NUMBER:
MT4012168
A tentative determination has made by DEQ to issue a 401 certification for the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway (BNSF), Bowdoin Siding & Malta Crossover Project (MT4012168) in Montana.
The project is proposing to construct two components along the Milk River Subdivision: (1) a crossover installation in the vicinity of MP 343.1 in the existing Malta Yard located in Malta, MT (Malta Center Crossover Component); and (2) an extension of the existing Bowdoin Siding from MP 330.67 to MP 332.32 abutting the Bowdoin National Wildlife Refuge (Bowdoin Siding Extension Component). The Bowdoin Siding Extension Component will include widening the existing water crossing over wetland and pond water features at MP 330.9 to carry water under the main line, construction of a siding extension, and construction of a private service road within existing BNSF right-of-way for BNSF access to their tracks.
The project will result in the discharge of approximately 2,790 cubic yards of fill material into 1.73 acres of waters of the United States, including wetlands.
TENTATIVE 401 WATER QUALITY CERTIFICATION
DEQ has examined the complete application, MT4012168, and bases its determination upon an evaluation of the information contained in the application that is relevant to water quality. DEQ certifies that this project in its current form following the conditions in the 401 Certification will not violate water quality standards. Certification of this proposal does not authorize the Applicant to exceed applicable state water quality standards.
Associated Materials:
Comment Period Ends: June 18, 2026
Send Comments To:
DEQ Water Quality Division
Water Protection Bureau
PO Box 200901
Helena, MT 59620
Or electronically to: DEQWPBPublic
