Lewis & Clark Conservation District

State Mandated Permitting

The Natural Streambed and Land Preservation Act--"310 Law"

The 1975 State Law requires Conservation Districts to review and oversee projects in and around the perennial streams in each of their areas.  In Lewis & Clark Conservation District, the Board has determined that they will follow the United States Geological Survey Topographic maps as an initial step for determining what is a perennial stream.  For the application form, click here and for instructions click here.  We revised our rules for implementation of the 310 law in 2006.  For more information please give us a call or email the district.  The Lewis & Clark Conservation District has permitting jurisdiction on Canyon Ferry Reservoir, Hauser Reservoir and Holter Reservoir, since they are in the Missouri River and are considered "run of the river".  Guidelines adopted by the Conservation District Board for permitting on the reservoirs can be found here.

COMPLAINTS:  Quite often people in the community notice work being done on a stream and they aren't sure if there is a permit issued or not.  Please call the District Office at 449-5000 ext. 112 to find out.  If you wish to file a complaint, you may have us mail or email the form to you or you may access it by clicking here.  Please remember that under State Law, all of the Conservation District's files are open to the public.  If you sign your complaint, anyone can access that information.

EMERGENCIES:  Emergencies often occur during spring run-off, or other flooding events, as well as during extended drought.  Under the 310 law, a landowner may conduct the work that needs to be done to safeguard life, property or crops.  Within 15 days of conducting that work, the landowner needs to fill out and submit to the District, an Emergency Notice.  The District Office can mail or email the form, or you may access it here.  Please keep in mind that if the District finds that work done was NOT an emergency it may be considered a violation under state law.  Additionally, if it is a valid emergency, additional work may be required and it may be necessary for the landowner to obtain a 310 Permit to conduct that work.

County Permitting

The Lewis & Clark Conservation District also administers the Sediment & Erosion Control Ordinance pertaining to erosion control on urban and forestry projects.  Initial application is usually done through the Notice of Proposed Urban Development and the Notice of Proposed Timber Harvest.  For larger scale operations, the full SEC Planning Guide is recommended.

Send mail to lccd@mt.net with questions or comments about this web site.
Last modified: 02/22/08