Yellowstone Conservation District

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  • Home
  • About
  • Board and Staff
  • Contact Us
  • STREAM PERMITTING
    • Stream Permitting
    • 310 EMERGENCY
  • Water Reservations
  • Meeting Documents
  • Current Projects
    • Fly Creek
    • ARBOR DAY
  • Additional Resources
  • News/Updates
  • PROJECT PORTFOLIO
    • Lake Elmo Projects
    • Salt Cedar Project
    • Mesonet Weather Station
    • Past Projects Gallery
  • YCD Learning Center
    • Education and Outreach
    • Upcoming Events
    • Yellowstone Watershed
  • 2024 Annual Work Plan
  • West End Reservoir Plan
  • BBWA/RMC Plan & Grants
  • Joint Application
  • More
    • Home
    • About
    • Board and Staff
    • Contact Us
    • STREAM PERMITTING
      • Stream Permitting
      • 310 EMERGENCY
    • Water Reservations
    • Meeting Documents
    • Current Projects
      • Fly Creek
      • ARBOR DAY
    • Additional Resources
    • News/Updates
    • PROJECT PORTFOLIO
      • Lake Elmo Projects
      • Salt Cedar Project
      • Mesonet Weather Station
      • Past Projects Gallery
    • YCD Learning Center
      • Education and Outreach
      • Upcoming Events
      • Yellowstone Watershed
    • 2024 Annual Work Plan
    • West End Reservoir Plan
    • BBWA/RMC Plan & Grants
    • Joint Application

Yellowstone Conservation District

Yellowstone Conservation DistrictYellowstone Conservation DistrictYellowstone Conservation District
  • Home
  • About
  • Board and Staff
  • Contact Us
  • STREAM PERMITTING
    • Stream Permitting
    • 310 EMERGENCY
  • Water Reservations
  • Meeting Documents
  • Current Projects
    • Fly Creek
    • ARBOR DAY
  • Additional Resources
  • News/Updates
  • PROJECT PORTFOLIO
    • Lake Elmo Projects
    • Salt Cedar Project
    • Mesonet Weather Station
    • Past Projects Gallery
  • YCD Learning Center
    • Education and Outreach
    • Upcoming Events
    • Yellowstone Watershed
  • 2024 Annual Work Plan
  • West End Reservoir Plan
  • BBWA/RMC Plan & Grants
  • Joint Application

Stream Permitting

Montana's Natural Streambed and Land Preservation Act

Also known as the 310 Law, is a state law which requires that any person planning to work in or near a perennial stream or river on private or public land must first obtain a 310 Permit from their local conservation district. 

What is the purpose of the 310 Law?

The purpose of the 310 Law is to insure that projects on perennial streams will be carried out in ways that are not damaging to the stream, its banks or to adjoining landowners.

Who Administers the 310 Law?

Conservation Districts throughout Montana administer the 310 Law. The Yellowstone Conservation District in partnership with Fish Wildlife and Parks administer the 310 law in Yellowstone County. 

Who needs to complete an application?

Any private, nongovernmental individual or entity that proposes to work in or near a stream on public or private land in Yellowstone County must contact the Yellowstone Conservation District to obtain a permit application prior to any activity in or near a perennial-flowing stream. 

How do I apply for a 310 Permit?

Applications can be picked up in the district office or downloaded below. Please submit your application to the YCD. For questions call the office at 406-247-4420 or email livie@mt.gov

How long does the permit process take?

The permitting process takes between 30 and 90 days. Once approved, a 310 permit is valid for one year. Permit decisions are made by the Yellowstone Conservation District Board of Supervisors during the regular monthly meetings. 


Once submitted, the board will review your application and decide to accept the project or not. 


Once an application is accepted, a team that consists of a Yellowstone Conservation District representative, a MT FWP biologist and the applicant may conduct an on-site inspection. The team makes recommendations to the conservation district board to be reviewed at the next regular meeting. 


The district will decide at the next meeting whether to approve, modify or deny the project. After receiving the supervisors' decision, the applicant has 15 days to return the permit, signed to indicate agreement with the district's decision. 

What if I have an emergency?

There is an emergency provision in the 310 Law to handle actions necessary to safeguard life or property, including growing crops, during periods of emergency. If a person takes emergency action, a notice of emergency form must be completed and submitted to the Yellowstone Conservation District within 15 days of action taken. The emergency action will be reviewed by the conservation district. The district will decide if the action was appropriate, must be modified, or must be removed and/or replaced. 


Emergency Permitting

Downloads

 

Apply for Permits

Joint Application Form

The Joint Application Form was recently updated. Click the link below for the new form.

Joint Application

Joint Application Instructions

 https://dnrc.mt.gov/Licenses-and-Permits/Stream-Permitting/

This form can be used for the following permits:

  • Conservation District (local government) - 310 permits
  • MT Fish, Wildlife and Parks (state government) - SP 124 permits
  • County Floodplain Administrators (local government) - floodplain permits
  • US Army Corps of Engineers (federal government) - Section 404/Section 10 permits
  • MT Department of Environmental Quality (state government) - 318 (turbidity) Authorizations
  • MT Department of Natural Resource and Conservation (state government) - Navigable river land use licenses and easements

YCD 310 Model Rules - 2020.doc (pdf)

Download

Complaint Form 274 - Fillable 120916 (pdf)

Download

Agency Contact List - 2025 (docx)

Download

310 Law

Montana Natural Streambed and Land Preservation Act: 310-Law

Montana Code Annotated (MCA) 2019 Title 75 / Chapter 7 / Part 1

The Natural Streambed and Land Preservation Act is intended to protect and preserve streams and rivers and the lands adjacent to them. The law requires any individual or business proposing work in or near a perennial stream to apply for a 310 permit through their local conservation district.

If you are planning a project in or around a stream, this law pertains to you.


310 Basics: https://dnrc.mt.gov/_docs/conservation/CDBureau/Virtual-Trainings/310_SVSR_2021.pdf

Need more information

Additional 310 Information

The purpose of the 310 law is to keep rivers and streams in as natural or existing condition as possible, to minimize sedimentation and to recognize beneficial uses.  Any individual or corporation proposing construction in a perennial stream must apply for a 310 permit through the local conservation district.


Visit the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation for more information on stream permitting: 

https://dnrc.mt.gov/Licenses-and-Permits/Stream-Permitting/


https://yellowstonerivercouncil.org


The Practical Streambank Bioengineering Guide

https://efotg.sc.egov.usda.gov/references/public/NM/BIO-48_The_Practical_Streambank_Bioengineering_Guide.pdf

Yellowstone Conservation District

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