LIBERTY COUNTY

CONSERVATION DISTRICT

About

Organized in 1950, the Liberty County Conservation District’s mission is to raise public awareness by providing leadership, education and administration of programs to conserve, improve and sustain our natural resources and environment.

The LCCD vision is having a community that is economically stable with the natural resources conserved by:

Providing education and encouraging control of nuisance weed and eradication of noxious weeds
Having no soils blowing above their tolerance level- ideally no soil or water erosion
Sustaining and improving water quality, with rivers and streams running clear
Encouraging tree planting for shelterbelts and wildlife
Encouraging recycling
Working jointly with all other agencies/organizations to enhance conservation practices within the District
Improving the public perception of the Conservation District.

Liberty County Conservation District is a political subdivision of the state, governed by a board of five (5) county-elected and two (2) city-appointed supervisors. District funding comes from local city and county taxes levied on real property within the boundaries of the district. Through a long-standing partnership with the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), Liberty County Conservation District is located in the NRCS Chester Field Office.

WHAT IS A CONSERVATION DISTRICT?

Montana’s conservation districts partner with private landowners to keep our land and water healthy for the next generation. Led and staffed by locals, conservation districts champion balanced conservation solutions for those that they serve.

Learn More

What We Do

Monthly Meetings

The Liberty County Conservation District Board of Supervisors meets once per month. Meetings are most often held on the third Thursday of each month at 7:00 p.m. in the District office conference room. Meeting dates may change due to holidays, statewide meetings or unexpected circumstances. The District office is located in the USDA Service office 18 Main Street, in Chester. District meetings are open to the public.

During the meetings, the Board of Supervisors reviews and discusses 310 applications, complaints, existing permits, and issues, along with educational events and additional relevant district business. Meeting agendas are generally posted by the Thursday prior to the next meeting.

Review approved minutes here.

310 Permit Information

Montana’s Natural Streambed and Land Preservation Act, also known as the 310 Law, is a state law that requires any person planning to work in or near a stream or river on private or public land to first obtain a 310 Permit from their local conservation district.

How do I apply for a permit?

Online Platform for submitting 310 Permit applications

Click ‘Apply for Permit’ and create an account before you begin.

There is no fee for a 310 Permit. Applications also be can be picked up at the district office or requested by email at Libertycountycd@gmail.com. For questions, contact Liberty County Conservation District by calling (406) 759-5778, emailing Diane Roberts at libertycountycd@gmail.com, or stopping in the office at 18 Main Street, Chester, MT.

Workshops & Events

Click here for all workshops and events

Cost Share Programs

The Liberty County Conservation District provides cost share assistance to private landowners in Liberty County for a number of different natural resource / conservation projects. All questions about Liberty County Conservation District’s Cost Share Programs can be directed to Diane Roberts via email (libertycountycd@gmail.com) or phone (406-759-5778 ext.102).
All applications and additional required materials for the following Cost Share Programs can be emailed to libertycountycd@gmail.com OR mailed to the Liberty County CD office located at: 18 Main Street, Chester, MT 59522 OR dropped off at the office.

Conservation Cost Share Program

Liberty County Conservation District realizes that one of the best opportunities to support and engage local landowners in a meaningful soil and water conservation project is to provide direct funding for those projects
through a Cost Share Program. To ensure transparency and appropriate use of funds, we have developed a basic application and ranking criteria for interested parties. Instructions and the application are linked on the bottom of this section. Liberty CD will consider funding projects that fall up to a maximum amount of $2500 under the following categories (please see cost share instructions document for more complete list of eligible projects):

Stream/Riparian/Irrigation projects
Weed Management projects
Pasture projects
Urban Natural Resources projects
Tree projects

Other projects including wildlife habitat improvement, alternative energy, fire protection, etc. Not all projects are eligible to receive $2500. and the Board of Supervisors will determine awarded amounts. Depending on the project, a land management plan may be required. Applicants will be ranked using several factors. Applicants may be required to participate in an on-site
consultation and a completion inspection. Applicants are also required to provide before and after photos. Applicants must reside within Liberty CD’s jurisdictional boundary. Applicants are accepted on a rolling basis and must be submitted to the LCCD Board of Supervisors to be approved. Applicants must be turned in by the first Thursday of each month to be on the month’s board
meeting agenda.

COST SHARE PROGRAM INSTRUCTIONS.docx

Land Management Plan fillable PDF

COST SHARE Application Fillable PDF