Public hearing set on conservation district stream permitting changes

Press release

The Hill County Conservation District will hold a public hearing May 18 on its proposed revisions for natural streambed and land preservation act rules governing the administration of the district’s stream permitting program.

The revision will include changing the time frame for an applicant to appeal a board decision from 15 days to 30 days per House Bill 383 that become law during the 2019 legislative session.

The permitting, covered by 310 rules, is under protections covered under the Montana Natural Streambed and Land Preservation Act of 1975. The act mandates that any modifications to the bed or bank of continuously flowing streams be approved by a local conservation district board.

Additionally, the district has clarified a number of its policies, including listing the resources used to determine district jurisdiction, listing the streams in this jurisdiction, the district’s policy concerning forms generated by other conservation districts, project vegetation survival standards, woody debris policy, crossing width standards, completion notice requirements, and the district’s surety bonds policy.

The public hearing will begin at 5 p.m. Thursday, May 18, Havre USDA building at 206 25th Ave. W. to provide an opportunity for people to present views and submit written comments on the proposed rules.

Print copies of the draft rules are available by contacting the district at 206 25th Ave. W. Suite #1, Havre, MT 59501, and digital copies can be requested from [email protected]. A copy of the draft 310 rules will also be available on the Hill County Conservation District Facebook page.