Department of Environmental Quality

Goals

Update: DEQ has developed financial tracking of IM/IT spending plans in order to proactively plan for IT projects and advancement of digital initiatives throughout the agency.

Objectives

  • Work with the Environmental Council of the States (ECOS) to implement a nation-wide environmental Application Programing Interface

    Update: Due to funding, resources, and the pandemic, ECOS was unable to support this initiative. DEQ shifted focus to other environmental initiatives including enhancement of DEQ's GIS system and expansion of DEQ's ePermitting solution.
  • Create a sustainable financial mechanism with support from the regulated community to enhance future DEQ digital transformation

    Update: DEQ partnered with EPA to begin developing digital initiatives that would provide Montana citizens greater access to information and services.

Update: Due to changes in IT infrastructure and funding, LEED-certified technology facilities no longer proved to be a feasible option for DEQ to pursue as part of the agency's IT strategic plan.

Objectives

  • Deploy new DEQ information technology investments on LEED-certified facilities and platforms to the maximum extent possible.
    Update: Due to change in IT infrastructure, funding, and statewide priorities, DEQ did not advance technology initiatives on LEED-certified facilities.
  • Move three existing DEQ systems to LEED-certified facilities/platforms
    Update: Due to change in IT infrastructure, funding, and statewide priorities, DEQ did not advance technology initiatives on LEED-certified facilities.

Update: DEQ focused on expansion of digital solutions in the areas of sample data, geospatial data, drinking water data, and permitting.

Objectives

  • Deploy an agency-wide permitting system on a SaaS or low-code platform that can interface with existing agency-wide systems

    Update: DEQ is finalizing expansion of the agency permitting system for Opencut mining applications. DEQ has successfully integrated the agency permitting system with GIS.
  • Deploy an agency-wide constituent relationship management system on a SaaS or low-code platform that can interface with existing agencywide systems
    Update: DEQ developed the architecture for a constituent relationship management system, including integration specifications to interface with DEQ's existing enterprise IT solutions.
  • Lead the digital transformation of the State of Montana natural resource agencies by deploying three new cloud-based technologies available to citizens and the regulated community that improve the quality, timeliness, security, and accuracy of the bidirectional data we share.

    Update: DEQ successfully deployed the agency GIS technology within a cloud based platform in 2021, providing real time access to DEQ's GIS data to the public https://discover-mtdeq.hub.arcgis.com/. DEQ also successfully deployed a cloud based solution for data transparency around sampling for lead in water in schools. https://mtdeq.equisonline.com/Default.aspx?d=16234650&auth=basic%20cHVibGljOjhaOEtSN0VQV3dVaA%3D%3D
    In 2022, DEQ, in partnership with SITSD, architected and deployed a digital solution for subdivision application submittals.

Agency Contact Information

Agency Director / Administrator
Christopher Dorrington
(406) 444-6815
cdorrington2@mt.gov
P.O. Box 200901 Helena, MT 59620
Information Technology Contact
(CIO / IT Manager)
Michelle Hauer
(406) 444-7424
michelle.hauer@mt.gov
P.O. Box 200901 Helena, MT 59620
Information Security Manager
Michelle Hauer
(406) 444-7424
michelle.hauer@mt.gov
P.O. Box 200901 Helena, MT 59620