RDG Project Grants

Eligible Applicants:

• Cities, counties, or other political subdivisions
• Tribal governments in Montana
• Divisions of state government (departments, agencies, boards, commissions)

Eligible Projects:

Projects must be either a mineral development or crucial state need project.  See descriptions here.

In order to be eligible for RDGP funding, a project must:

• Be technically and financially feasible
• Be the most cost-effective alternative to address a problem or attain an objective
• Comply with statutory and regulatory standards protecting environmental quality
• Be from an applicant able and willing to enter into an agreement with DNRC for the implementation of the proposed project.
• Cannot relieve a liable party or include work on an actively permitted site

Examples of Projects Include: 

• Abandoned Mine Reclamation 
• Brownfields Cleanup 
• Abandoned Hazardous Waste Site Cleanup 
• Abandoned Oil and Gas Well Cleanup 
• Mining Related Mitigation Projects 
• Crucial State Needs (a documented set of circumstances or conditions that require action to prevent or eliminate severe and unacceptable damage to Montana's environment) ; including drought and flood mitigation

DNRC will recommend no more than $300,000 for most projects.  DNRC may recommend up to $500,000 for a project if the applicant has clearly demonstrated multiple natural resource benefits , the need and urgency of the project, and the financial need and unavailability of other funds to complete the project.

DNRC solicits, evaluates, and ranks each application and forwards its recommendations for funding to the Governor’s Office before each regular legislative session.  With the governor’s approval these recommendations are submitted to the legislature.  The legislature makes the final decision on which projects will be funded.  

Funds for projects approved by the legislature are awarded according to the funding priority list set by the legislature and are contracted according to available revenue.  Not all approved projects will be funded if the total amount requested exceeds available funds.