(1) Upon receipt of an application to conduct opencut operations and within the time limits provided in 82-4-432, MCA, the department shall evaluate the application to determine if the requirements of the Act and this subchapter are satisfied.

(2) Except as provided in 75-1-208(4)(b), MCA, within five working days of receipt of an application to conduct opencut operations, the department shall determine and notify the applicant whether the application is complete. A complete application must be submitted on forms provided by the department, or alternative forms approved by the department prior to submission, and must contain the materials and information required by 82-4-432(1) and (2), MCA, and the plan of operation required by ARM 17.24.218 through 17.24.223.

(3) If the department determines that an application is complete, the applicant shall comply with the public notice requirements required by 82-4-432, MCA, and the department shall review the application for acceptability.

(4) A permit application is acceptable if the materials and information provided to the department demonstrate that the proposed opencut operation complies with requirements of 82-4-432(1) and (2), MCA. An application for a standard permit must contain a plan of operation that meets the requirements of this subchapter.

(5) A permit must provide that the operator shall comply with the requirements of the Act and this subchapter. Before determining that an application for a permit or amendment is acceptable, the department may condition a permit as necessary to accomplish the requirements of the Act and this subchapter.

(6) A permit becomes effective when the department notifies the applicant in writing that the information and materials provided to the department meet all the requirements of the Act and this subchapter and that the permit is approved and issued by the department.