87-1-257. River restoration program. (1) The department shall administer a river restoration program.

Terms Used In Montana Code 87-1-257

  • Appropriation: The provision of funds, through an annual appropriations act or a permanent law, for federal agencies to make payments out of the Treasury for specified purposes. The formal federal spending process consists of two sequential steps: authorization
  • Contract: A legal written agreement that becomes binding when signed.
  • State: when applied to the different parts of the United States, includes the District of Columbia and the territories. See Montana Code 1-1-201

(2)The program may consist of physical projects to improve rivers and their associated lands in order to conserve and enhance fish and wildlife habitat, including but not limited to a change in appropriation right or leasing of water rights under 85-2-436.

(3)The department shall work cooperatively with individuals, conservation districts, and state, local, private, tribal, and federal organizations to achieve the goals of the program and may contract with private organizations to implement specific river restoration projects.

(4)The department shall present projects to the local conservation district for review and recommendations and obtain any applicable permits.

(5)The department shall receive the consent of the landowner or lessee of any associated lands before initiating physical projects on these lands.

(6)A project conducted under the program may not restrict or interfere with the exercise of any water right.