Do You Need a Permit? MT's Natural Streambed & Land Preservation Act (310 Permit Program)

Anyone planning to work in or near a stream must obtain a 310 permit from their local conservation district office.

WHO MUST APPLY: Any private, non-governmental individual or corporation that proposes to work in or near a stream on private or public land must apply for a 310 permit.

HOW: The person conducting the work should submit a completed application to the conservation district. District supervisors will notify the Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Parks and, if requested, set up an inspection of the site. After a team inspection, the district supervisors will approve, modify, or deny the permit application. The permit process takes 30 to 60 days.

WHY: The purpose of the 310-permit program is to minimize soil erosion and sedimentation, maintain water quality and stream channel integrity, and keep streams and rivers in as natural a state as possible.

EMERGENCY PROVISIONS: The law allows for actions that are “necessary to safeguard life or property during periods of emergency.” The conservation district must be notified within 15 days of the action. An inspection team will determine if the project is approved as designed, requires modifications, or is denied and must be removed. If possible, contact the conservation district before taking the emergency action.

The original application and all materials (maps, design, pictures) and one complete copy of the application and materials must be submitted to the district in the mail or by attending the regular monthly meeting. The Jefferson Valley Conservation District meets on the third Tuesday of each month at 11 AM in Borden’s conference room in Whitehall, MT.