Paving & Dust Control

The best and longest lasting way to prevent dust emissions from roads is to pave the road. Current MPH regulations require all new roads and most driveways in the Air Stagnation Zone be paved and require reasonable precautions be taken to control fugitive particulate emissions from any source or activity.

The Public Works Department estimates that paving costs $100,000 per mile, which means paving all unpaved County Roads would cost approximately $50 million. Since 1995, more than $4 million dollars of Federal Congestion, Mitigation and Air Quality Funds (CMAQ) have been used for paving within the City’s Air Stagnation Zone. Dust abatement costs an estimated $4,000 per mile, which would require a total of $2 million annually to treat all unpaved roads. The total road budget from tax dollars is approximately $1.3 million.

The County continues to look for means to prevent or reduce dust from unpaved roads. Options include increasing the Public Works Department’s share of the county tax dollars, creating Rural Special Improvement Districts and applying for grants when available.

1. Use the Public Works Dust Abatement Program

If you would like to participate in the dust abatement program, please click here to fill out an interest form or call 406-258-3710.

Planning starts in late January/early February each year, so please look for an email around that time as we finalize the 'Proposed Abatement List' of roads that MCPW will cover. As in previous years, the county will be doing all of the work and contracting out for the magnesium chloride only.

2. Create an RSID for Paving or Dust Abatement
Rural Special Improvement Districts (RSID) can be created to provide funding for improvements and maintenance of infrastructure, such as streets. The funds are generated by all the affected property owners. For citizens to create an RSID, at least 60% of the affected property owners must sign a petition indicating their preliminary support. Once the petition is presented to the County Commissioners, a public hearing will be held. The RSID can only be created if less than 50% of the owners in the area protest. Contact Public Works if you are interested in creating an RSID in your neighborhood. 

3. Hire a private firm for dust control
A third option is to hire a private firm to apply dust suppressant to the road on a one time or annual basis. The money can be collected through private agreements with affected property owners. This can be done on a voluntary basis or through a Homeowner’s Association. On roads the County maintains, a permit is required through the Public Works Department and only approved suppressants are allowed. Through this permitting system the County does road preparation work before the dust suppressant is applied to maximize the dust abatement benefits. 

4. Contact the Western Federal Lands Highway Division
If an unpaved road accesses federal land then the Western Federal Lands Highway Division may be interested in the project to provide safe and adequate transportation access to and through federally owned lands. For more information contact them at (360) 619-7700.

5. Traffic control options
A road surface’s silt and moisture content greatly influence dust emissions. Traffic factors, such as vehicle speed, weight and number of wheels, can also influence dust emissions from unpaved roads. Modifying these factors can influence emissions. State statute requires that an engineering study and “speed limit warrant test” be conducted before a speed limit can be changed. If you believe a speed limit change is warranted on a County road, you can contact Public Works. Public Works can produce “Slow Down Dust Hazard” signs as budgets allow. These signs are considered advisory, however, and are not enforceable.