Permit Process


1. Complete and submit the Joint Application Form

Forms can be submitted to the District Administrator via email or in person at the RVCD office. Applications will be reviewed at RVCD Advisory Board Meetings, held the 1st Wednesday of every month. Submit your application as soon as possible prior to the next upcoming meeting to ensure it will be placed on the agenda. All RVCD Meetings are open to the public, and applicants are strongly encouraged to attend.

2. Site Inspection

An on-site inspection with a Conservation District and a Montana FWP representative is set upon receipt of the 310 application. The team will discuss the project on site. After an inspection is conducted, team members make recommendations to the District at a regular meeting. You may wish to review the Team Member Report form to familiarize yourself with the criterion your project will be evaluated on.  If no inspection is required, the District may proceed with the application and the applicant will be notified of its decision.

3. Decision

During the next monthly 310-meeting, applications are approved, modified, or denied for a permit. This time period can be extended if the RVCD determines it necessary to collect further information. After receiving notice of the decision, the applicant has 15 days to sign and return the Board’s Decision Form to indicate agreement (Note: Permit letters may take up to two weeks to be sent out). Unless otherwise stated on the supervisors decision form, the applicant must wait 15 days before proceeding with the project. If the applicant does not return the signed Board’s Decision Form, the permit is automatically null and void. The RVCD has 60 Days upon receipt of an application to make a decision.

The District considers these factors:

  • The effects on soil erosion and sedimentation, considering the methods available to complete the project and the nature and economics of the various alternatives.
  • The effects of stream alteration.
  • The effects on stream flow, turbidity, and water quality caused by materials used or by removal of ground cover
  • The effects on fish and aquatic habitat.
  • Whether there are modifications or alternative solutions that are reasonably practical that would reduce the disturbance to the stream and its environment and better accomplish the purpose of the project.
  • Whether the proposed project will create harmful flooding or erosion problems upstream or downstream.