Conservation Districts

Call: 406-357-2320 X 101
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Why were conservation districts created?

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310 Law - Permitting

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Conservation Equipment

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Contact Information

Why were Conservation Districts Created?

Conservation districts are unites of local government designed to help citizens conserve their soil, water, and other renewable natural resources. They were organized in the 1930s as a response to the “Dust Bowl” days. In 1937, President Roosevelt encouraged Montana to adopt legislation enabling the creation of local soil conservation districts. Today, there are almost 3000 conservation districts nationwide, and their conservation activities encompass a wide spectrum of natural resource issues. The State Montana passed legislation creating its conservation districts in 1939 to provide for local control of natural resource management programs and activities. Montana’s 58 conservation districts cover all counties and include more than 70 municipalities included within district boundaries. Each District is governed by a Board of Supervisors. Five are elected in the general public election, and two Urban Supervisors are appointed by Incorporated Municipalities within the District. In addition to the appointed and elected Supervisors serving the District, the CD may appoint an unlimited number of local individuals to serve as Associate Supervisors.

How Do Conservation Districts Operate?

Montana’s CDs are political subdivisions of the state and are governed by a board of five supervisors elected by local voters in a general election. In addition, a municipality that has chosen to be incorporated into a district may appoint up to two urban supervisors to represent urban interests on the board. This combination of officials representing diverse views has a relatively broad scope of authorities.

Because of their unique characteristics and proven track record, CDs have been entrusted by the state with mandated activities such as implementation of the 310 Law, water reservations, stream access portage routes, county planning board participation, and local Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) consultation. Also, CDs serve as the local point of contact for numerous federal programs. This is all in addition to the long-standing CD roles such as educating landowners about sound conservation practices, tree planting and organizing educational activities for school children.

310 Law – Permitting:

Each Conservation District in the State of Montana is responsible for Administering the Natural Streambed and Land Preservation Act or 310 Law (Senate Bill 310) on behalf of the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC) for proposed activities which would alter the bed and or banks of any stream of concern. The Blaine County Conservation District requires that 310 applications be submitted for proposed work on the following streams:

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Rivers

Missouri River
Milk River

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North East Blaine County

Woody Island Coulee
Buckley Creek

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South East Blaine County

Creek White Bear Creek
S. Rock Peoples Creek

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North West Blaine County

Battle Creek
E. Rok Battle Creek
Lodge Creek
Red Rock Creek

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South West Blaine County

ClearCreek
Bean Creek
Snake Creek
Birch Creek
Black Coulee Creek
Cow Creek

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North Central Blaine County

Thirty Mile Creek
Wayne Creek

All 310 Applications must be reviewed at a regular Conservation District Board Meeting and be noticed on the Agenda.

In the event of a River or Stream related emergency please contact the District immediately at (406) 357-2320 x 101.

More information on the 310 Application and Permitting Process can be found here or by contacting the Blaine County Conservation District at: (406) 357-2320 x 101.

Current 310 Application Materials may be downloaded here or by contacting the District at: (406) 357-2320 x 101.

Conservation Equipment

In order to promote conservation practices, districts rent out equipment to land users. The Blaine County Conservation District has a Tree planter and Flow meter for rent.

Tree Planter Rental: $50 / per day: A Rental agreement must be completed prior to scheduling and use.

Flow Meter: Free.

(Contact Conservation District at 406-357-2320 X 101 )

Deputy Clerk

Shannon Sattleen
Email:

shannon.sattleen@mt.nacdnet.net

Advisors

Kailee Calnan – NRCS District Conservationist / Chinook Field Office
Julianne Snedigar – MSU Extension Agent - Advisor
Tim Conlan– Blaine County Weed/Mosquito Surpervisor
Hunter VanDonsel – NRCS Wildlife Biologist / Pheasants Forever Consultant

Board of Supervisors

Bruce Anderson – Chair
Kurt Hansen – Vice Chair
Greg Jergeson– Treasurer
Gary Unruh
Dennis Mitchell
Vacant
Tyrel Obrecht – Urban Supervisor – Turner

Address

228 Ohio St. PO Box 189
Chinook, MT 59523

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Hours of Operation

Monday-Friday
8 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Our Office

Blaine County Courthouse
420 Ohio St
Chinook, MT 59523

Resources

Jobs
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Road Report
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Office Hours

Mon-Fri: 8am - 5pm
Sat-Sun: Closed

Bio coming soon.

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Deputy Chris Adair has been with the Blaine County Sheriff’s Office since August of 2012. Since then he has become the Field Training Officer, Firearms Instructor, Armorer, Deputy Coroner, and the Senior Operator for Blaine County’s breath alcohol testing equipment. He also is the DUI Task Force Coordinator. He lives in Chinook with his wife and 2 sons. Previous to living here they were residents of Flathead County.

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John Colby started his career in Law Enforcement with the Blaine County Sheriff's Department in 1996 as a Detention Officer/Dispatcher. In 1998 he began working with the Harlem Police Department where he served as a patrolman and later as the Chief of Police. In 2001 Harlem consolidated its law enforcement with the Blaine County Sheriff's Department and John Colby remained as a Deputy Sheriff. In 2002 John accepted a job with the Williston Police Department and served as a patrolman and later as a senior patrolman. In 2007 John left the Williston Police Department and went to work for Dyn-Corp in Konduz Afghanistan training the Afghanistan Nation Police. In March 2010 John was returned to Chinook and accepted a position as a Deputy Sheriff with the Blaine County Sheriff's Department. John was promoted to the Lieutenant of the Blaine County Sheriff's Department in 2012. John is one of the Taser Instructor's, Field Training Officer, K9 Handler, and was recently assigned to the Tri-Agency Drug Task Force. John and his wife Dawn have two children JJ, and Aspyn.

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Bio coming soon

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Bio coming soon

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Robo joined the Blaine County Sheriff's Office in October of 2013. He resides with his handler Sheriff John Colby.

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Deputy Levi Gonzalez joined the Blaine County Sheriff's Department in January 2018. Levi studied Criminal Justice at Utah Valley University and Excelled in courses such as Criminal Justice, Forensics, and Criminal Law. Along with some formal education, he has trained with professional firearms instructors, and in hand-to-hand combat, to help him pursue his career in law enforcement. He moved to Montana with his wife in March of 2013 and owns a small ranch in Blaine County where he runs a small cow/calf operation. He looks forward to serving Blaine County, where he is happy to call home, with his wife, daughter and son, for many years to come.

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