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Lawmakers consider raising penalties and clarifying jurisdiction for streambank protections
Summary
Senate Bill 472 prompted extensive testimony about enforcement and penalties under Montana’s 3-10 stream protection law, with conservation district supervisors seeking stronger fines and timber interests warning of overlapping jurisdiction with Streamside Management Zone rules.
Senate Bill 472 produced prolonged and sometimes contentious testimony as the committee considered changes to enforcement under Montana’s Natural Streambed and Land Preservation Act (commonly called the 3-10 law).
Sponsor Sen. Denley Loge said the bill aims to strengthen local conservation districts’ ability to protect streambanks, including increasing per-day fines and overall liability for restoration. Loge and several conservation district supervisors described situations where landowners or outside contractors damaged streambanks and “laughed” at current maximum penalties, which they said are too small to deter some violations. Sweetgrass County Conservation District supervisor Mark…
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