Readable transcription of the original document. The actual PDF is linked above and below.
June 11, 2024
Harris Himes — Via email: harrishimes@gmail.com Holy Ground A Corporation Sole PO Box 540 Hamilton, MT 59840-0540
RE: Complaint Closure [CVID #25448]
Dear Mr. Himes,
The Ravalli County Department of Environmental Health (RCEH) contacted the Enforcement Program of the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) regarding the property owned by Holy Ground A Corporation Sole, and located at 116 Bowman Rd., Hamilton Montana (Property). RCEH informed DEQ that the intended use of the parcel has changed, without issuance of a Certificate of Subdivision Approval (COSA).
On January 24, 2024, I issued a violation letter to you for violations of the Sanitation in Subdivisions Act on the Property. You responded to my letter on February 23, 2024, and stated that you did not meet the definition of a campground because you were not open to the public, nor were the spaces available for rent or lease; however, you did require a donation to assist with the costs.
I discussed your response with DEQ’s legal unit, as well as the Subdivision Review Section Supervisor. I have investigated this complaint and did not find any evidence that this is a campground open to the public. I did not find any advertising, no presence on the internet or social media, and no signage of any type indicating a person could come in and rent a space for camping.
Since this facility is not open to the public for rent or lease, it does not require review under the Sanitation in Subdivisions Act, and I am closing this complaint. However, please be advised that if in the future you decide to open the area as a public campground, you will need to obtain a COSA for the Property prior to opening.
If you have any questions, please contact me, my information is below.
Sincerely,
Susan Bawden Environmental Enforcement Specialist Enforcement Program 406.444.3390, sbawden@mt.gov
cc via email: - Marisa Heiling, DEQ Legal - Shawn Rowland, R.S., Subdivision Review Section Supervisor - John Palacio, R.S., Ravalli County - Karenna Doctor, R.S., DPHHS
Greg Gianforte, Governor | Chris Dorrington, Director | P.O. Box 200901 | Helena, MT 59620-0901 | (406) 444-2544 | www.deq.mt.gov