UNDERSTAND THE PERMIT PROCESS & THE JOINT APPLICATION FORM

Work in or near Montana streams, wetlands, floodplains and other waterbodies may require one or more permits.

Several of these permits use the same Joint Application Form, but each permit is reviewed separately by the appropriate agency.

HOW MONTANA’S STREAM PERMITTING PROCESS WORKS

  • IDENTIFY WHICH PERMITS MAY APPLY

    Stream-related work may require one or more permits. It’s not

    ALL PERMITS

  • COMPLETE THE JOINT APPLICATION FORM

    Enter your required project information and any additional details required for the permits that apply.

  • FOLLOW SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS

    Submit your 310 through Gilly. Other permits have their own submission requirements.

  • EACH PERMIT IS REVIEWED SEPARATELY

    The appropriate agency reviews its permit or authorization.

  • WAIT FOR REQUIRED APPROVALS

    Do not begin work until the required permits and approvals are in place.

MONTANA’S JOINT APPLICATION FORM

The Joint Application Form is one shared form used for several local, state and federal stream-related permits.

Why “Joint”? Conservation Districts and participating agencies created the form to reduce duplicate paperwork, improve coordination and streamline the permitting process.

A project may need one permit or several. The Joint Application Form collects the core project information shared across permits, along with any additional information required for the permits that apply.

ONE FORM. SEPARATE PERMITS.

Each reviewing agency issues its own permit or authorization. Required approvals must be in place before work begins.

The Joint Application Form Permits →

Looking for more detailed (DNRC) instructions?

DNRC Joint Application Instructions (PDF)→

THE 310 LAW - Montana's Natural Streambed and Land Preservation Act

In 1975, the Montana Legislature enacted the Natural Streambed and Land Preservation Act, commonly called the 310 Law.

Details of the 310 Law →

WHAT THIS MEANS

The 310 Law applies to projects that may physically alter or modify the bed or banks of a perennially flowing stream, river or spring.

Local Conservation Districts administer the 310 Permit process.

Find Your Conservation District →