K. Streamside Management Zone Law
Who Must Apply
Any landowner or operator conducting a series of forest practices that will access, harvest, or regenerate trees on a defined land area for commercial purposes on private, state, or federal lands.
Activities Requiring a Permit
This law prohibits the following timber harvest activities within at least 50 feet of any stream, lake, or other body of water. The Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC) must approve any exceptions to these prohibited practices.
. Broadcast burning.
. Operating wheeled or tracked vehicles except on established roads.
. Clear cutting.
. Constructing roads in the Streamside Management Zone except when necessary to cross a stream or wetland.
. Handling, storing, applying, or disposing of hazardous or toxic material in a manner that pollutes streams, lakes, or wetlands or that may cause damage or injury to humans, land, animals, or plants.
. Casting road material into a stream, wetland, or watercourse.
. Depositing slash in streams or other water bodies.
Purposes of the Law
. To protect the quality and quantity of forest waters.
. To conserve the integrity of Montana's streamside zones.
Who Administers the Law
Department of Natural Resources and Conservation.
Application Procedure/Timeline
DNRC must be notified prior to beginning any forest practice. A request to conduct an alternative practice must be submitted to the appropriate DNRC field office. Alternative practices will require an environmental review. The request will be reviewed and an initial response issued within 10 days.
For more information, contact:
Forestry Division
DNRC
2705 Spurgin Road
Missoula, MT 59801
(406) 542-4300
or
Local DNRC Land Office www.dnrc.mt.gov/forestry/Assistance/
