Often referred to as Montana's "environmental watchdog," MEIC has successfully changed public policy and defended Montana's Constitution by exerting the influence of its members and staff on State government and in the courts. We have increased the public's understanding of and involvement in environmental problems and issues.

MEIC has been instrumental in the design, passage and implementation of many of Montana's landmark environmental laws, including the Montana Environmental Policy Act (MEPA).  The Act was severely hampered by amendments adopted by the 2001 legislature, and MEIC is working to restore the ability of state agencies to require environmentally protective mitigation under MEPA while monitoring and influencing state agency compliance with MEPA.

But any environmental law is only as good as its enforcement.  And a law can only be adequately enforced if there are appropriate rules and procedures that implement it.  While Montana's environmental enforcer, the Department of Environmental Quality, sees its role more as “compliance assistance” — a euphemism for allowing violators to reduce the penalties against them or have them dropped entirely if the company agreed to come back into compliance — MEIC is working to lessen DEQ discretion and deter violators.

MEIC also works on the state level to ensure compliance with federal environmental laws, including the Federal Superfund and Federal Clean Air Act and Clean Water Act.

Proposed 2010 "Takings" Initiative

State and local governments could have to pay up to $1.2 billion dollars over the next six years if United Property Owners of Montana manages to qualify and pass its proposed statewide ballot initiative. The initiative would require governments to pay property owners any time their property value decreases by 25%, even if a government regulation is not solely responsible for that decrease in value.  MEIC is strongly opposing the measure, intended to appear on the November 2010 ballot.