Stream Permits and Emergencies

Not surprisingly, we're getting a lot of questions on these two topics right now.  Stream permits (the "310 permit") is required for any project work that affects the bed or banks of a perennial stream on private land, or on public land where the project is being done by a private, non-governmental entity (like bridges on National Forest land that are used to access the privately owned or leased cabins).  Conservation Districts are required by law to administer this program. In the event of emergencies, work can be done and an Emergency Notice can be filed after the fact.  People…
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July Regular Board Meeting

The July regular board meeting has been changed to July 19, 2018 at 1 p.m. at the USDA Service Center Conference Room, 790 Colleen Street, Helena MT 59601.  The meeting will be preceded by the Lewis & Clark County Local Work Group meeting at 10:30 a.m.  The public is always welcome at any of the Conservation District meetings. June 14, 2018 Meeting minutes July 19, 2018 Local Work Group notice July 19, 2018 Regular meeting notice     UPDATED JULY AGENDA  
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A Day in Augusta

For landowners in the Augusta or Dearborn areas who were affected by the flooding this past week, we want to let you know that we're going to be in Augusta at the Youth Center/Senior Center/ Public Health office on June 29 from 10-2 collecting information on bridge and culvert damage as well as stream damage.  We'll have permit forms--regular and emergency--bridge and culvert installation information, and other information for you.   We're also hoping to have any program information from the Farm Service Agency and information on whether the Conservation District will have funding available to assist with bridge and culvert…
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Stream Permitting and Emergencies

I'm starting to get some phone calls, especially from the northern part of the county.  Emergencies can be taken care of with the paperwork filed after the fact.  That form is the Emergency Notice.  If you have a bigger project, like a bridge, we're probably looking at having some between meeting meetings just to handle stuff that needs a quicker turnaround.  Those are taken care of with the 310 Permit Application Form.  There are instructions that go with that application form.  Please read them first if you have questions, but feel free to call or email the office, 406-449-5000 ext.…
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Flooding-AGAIN!!!

To all of our readers out there who are again underwater this fine June day, know our thoughts are with you! If you have an emergency in your stream system, where life, crops or property are in imminent danger, please do the work that needs to be done, and follow up with an Emergency Notice to the Conservation District within 15 days of doing the work.  In this very busy stream permitting spring, photographs are helpful in determining what needs to be done, and what was done. From what I've read on the news this morning, the Sun River, the…
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Spring 2018 High Water

After hearing about flooding around the county, we took a drive. We started in East Helena at the reconstructed Prickly Pear Creek channel near the old ASARCO site, then drove out further into the Valley, checked out Prickly Pear, Ten Mile creeks. We then took a swing over to Lincoln and looked at Keep Cool Creek, the Blackfoot River and swung back by Ten Mile Creek at Williams Street on the way back to the office. If the weather keeps doing what it is, the flooding will likely worsen. Please be prepared out there. If you have to do any…
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April Board meeting

The next regular meeting of the Lewis & Clark Conservation District will be April 12, 2018.  It will take place at 1 p.m. and will be at 790 Colleen Street, Helena Montana in the USDA Service Center Conference Room.  The public is always welcome at Conservation District meetings. April Meeting Notice March regular Meeting Minutes March Emergency Meeting Minutes
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Is it going to be another 2011???

With snowpack at a high percentage, the fear now amongst emergency responders and natural resource professionals is that we are going to have spring flooding.  High temperatures are projected to be in the 30's and 40's for the 10 day forecast for the Helena area and even the lows are in the high teens to the 30's. If you live near small streams, large streams or even "dry" drainages, you may very well see some flooding, depending on how the snowpack starts to go off. Please be prepared!  If you are in the vicinity of a perennial stream, please be…
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February Meeting CANCELLED

Once again, mother nature has stymied us!  The morning meeting with the Cascade County Conservation District and the afternoon regular meeting have both been cancelled due to bad weather. It's likely that since this meeting date was so close to the March meeting date (March 8) that we will not reschedule February's meeting.
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