Judge stops Montana psychiatric facility from breaking ground, orders new environmental study

Montana's District Court Judge Ed Zink issued a preliminary injunction on Wednesday, halting construction of a proposed 32-bed forensic mental health facility in Laurel. The decision comes after a lawsuit filed by the Laurel CARED group, also known as Community Advocates for Responsible Economic Development. The facility, intended to treat and rehabilitate individuals within the criminal justice system, was slated to begin construction next week at its location west of the city.

Critics, including Laurel CARED, argued that the state had not conducted a thorough environmental assessment to determine if the site had sufficient water resources. Attorney Liz Forster expressed concern over the facility's capacity to utilize the necessary water supply, stating that an adequate environmental review would provide clearer insight and prevent potential wastage of taxpayer funds.

Laurel CARED President Jennifer Lorenz welcomed the ruling, emphasizing the significance of adhering to environmental regulations and the importance of public participation in government projects of substantial scale. Mental health advocates and Governor Greg Gianforte's administration had advocated for the facility's construction to alleviate the backlog of individuals awaiting mental health evaluations in local jails.