This document is transcribed from the Montana DNRC website at: http://dnrc.mt.gov/permits/stream_permitting/mnslpa.asp
Information for 310 Applicant
310 Forms page
Who Must Apply
Any private, nongovernmental individual or entity that proposes to work in or near a stream on public or private land.
Activities
Requiring a Permit
Any activity that
physically alters or modifies the bed or banks
of a perennially flowing stream.
Purposes of the Law
• To minimize soil erosion and sedimentation.
• To protect and preserve streams and rivers in their natural or existing state.
Who Administers
the Law
The Board of
Supervisors of the Green Mountain Conservation
District (GMCD)
Application
Procedure/Timeline
A person planning
a project must contact the GMCD office to obtain
a permit application prior to any activity in or
near a perennial-flowing stream. Once an
application is accepted, a team that consists of
a GMCD representative; a Department of Fish,
Wildlife and Parks biologist; and the applicant
may conduct an on site inspection. The team
makes recommendations to the GMCD board, which
has 60 days from the time the application is
accepted to approve, modify, or deny the permit.
Local rules apply. There is no charge for a 310
permit.
Cover Letter sent to each applicant:
Green Mountain Conservation District
PO Box 1329 Trout Creek, Montana 59874
406-827-4833
Website: greenmountaincd.org Email: gmcd@blackfoot.net
TO: 310 Applicant
Montana’s Natural Streambed and Land Preservation Act, also known as the 310 Law, is a state law intended to protect and preserve lands adjacent to streams and rivers in their natural or existing state. The rules require that any person planning to work in or near a perennial stream, river or designated reservoir on private land must first obtain a 310 Permit from the local conservation district.
The purpose of the 310 Law is to minimize soil erosion and sedimentation, maintain water quality and stream channel integrity, and prevent property damage to adjacent landowners. The permitting process takes 30 – 90 days.
It is important that you submit your new application in triplicate and also include detailed drawings, general plan view with cross-section (elevation) showing vertical dimensions, if applicable, of your project and an accurate map location showing directions to your property. If a dock is involved in the project, you need to describe the dock, its dimensions and show how the dock will be anchored and/or attached to the shoreline. Also, we require a current photo of the project site.
Frequently an inspection needs to be done before a decision on the application can be made. In order for this application to be placed on our next meeting agenda, we must receive it completely filled out and in our office the Wednesday prior to the meeting. Our meetings usually are on the third Wednesday of each month in our office in Trout Creek behind the Local Store. You may contact the office to verify that date. We begin the 310 application discussions after 8:00 p.m. and we encourage you to attend the board meeting to discuss any questions the Supervisors or advisors may have about your proposed project.
This application may also be used for an Army Corps of Engineers (Section 404) Permit that frequently is needed if a 310 permit is necessary for any work. If the property for the proposed work is within the Thompson Falls Reservoir, property boundaries will need to be verified with PPL Montana. Mark Sommer is the contact person for this clarification, and his phone number is 406-728-4176.
If you have any further questions you may contact our office at any time. Our regular office hours are Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 9:00 a.m. to noon, although there are times when we need to be out in the field during those hours. I would suggest that you call the office to confirm that there will be someone there if you wish to meet with someone in person.
Sincerely,
Jean Dunn
Administrator