The purpose of the Water Committee is to enhance water quantity and quality for all beneficial uses.

  • Encourage the most effective and judicious use of irrigation water for agricultural purposes.

  • Establish baseline water quality information and monitor over time.

  • Develop and implement management practices and strategies to minimize in-stream sediment, nutrient loading, and contamination.

  • 310 permits are required for any individual or corporation in Montana proposing to work in or near a perennial stream or river on private or public land. You should contact the Sweet Grass County Conservation District for administration and inspection related to permitting. 

    225 Big Timber Loop Road
    Big Timber, MT 59011
    sweetgrasscd@macdnet.org
    406-932-5160

  • The Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation has gathered resources pertaining to water rights questions, applications, and more here.

  • For a current Montana Water Rights Adjudication map, click here.

  • More information coming soon.

The purpose of the Forest Committee is to educate, coordinate, and assist in promoting forest management practices on both private and public land within the entire watershed.

  • Improve forest health, sustain forest growth, improve wildlife habitat, and improve overall water quality and quantity.

  • Assist, cooperate, communicate, and coordinate efforts of fire suppression/ management agencies, while educating and involving private landowners in personal and property protection.

  • This area falls within the Yellowstone Ranger District. To contact the office, click here.

  • Wildfire risk can changed due to many variables. To learn more about the components of wildfire risk assessment visit the following sites:

    Montana DNRC

    USFS

  • Identifying forest pests like insect and disease is a critical step in prevention and control. Learn more about the Montana DNRC program here.

  • More information coming soon.

The purpose of the riparian committee is split into three categories: off-stream watering, bank stabilization, and grazing management.

In general, the riparian committee seeks to improve the health and function of riparian vegetative communities immediately adjacent to the stream.

    • Develop off-stream water sources to encourage cattle away from riparian areas.

    • Minimize in-stream sediment loading by prioritizing areas for bank stabilization projects.

    • Encourage landowners to implement grazing management practices that improve cattle grazing habits and distribution.

The purpose of the weed management committee is to control noxious weeds and educate landowners about their identification and management.

  • Educate landowners and the public about the abundance and threat of noxious weeds.

  • Develop a comprehensive weed management program for the entire watershed.

  • County Office Contact and Info

    Noxious Weed District is dedicated to protect our resources and land against invasive species. Noxious weeds in most instances pose the single greatest threat to the environment and healthy ecosystems. The direction of the noxious weed program is to be as proactive as possible through public education and awareness, progressive weed management and cooperation with all entities-private, local, state, and federal.

    Connie Weston
    cweston@sgcountymt.gov
    Phone: (406) 932-3582
    Cell Phone: (406) 220-2767

  • Sweet Grass County offers a cost-share program for weed spraying, which is available through the office of the Weed Coordinator. The cost-share cannot exceed $500/individual and/or property and must take place in Sweet Grass County. The weed district will refund 50% of the cost of chemical privately or 50% of total cost if done by a commercial applicator. 

    Learn more by contacting the local coordinator.

  • The state faces many varieties of noxious weeds, which are categorized by priority levels as defined here.

  • The Natural Resource Conservation Service in Sweet Grass County offers additional weed control financial assistance. To learn about opportunities with NRCS, click here.

    The basics of working with NRCS is outlined in this document.

  • A list of available commercial applicators and their contact information can be found here.

The purpose of the wildlife committee is to understand the habits and needs of wildlife species, how they interact with landowners, and to assist landowners and appropriate agencies in dealing with their management.

  • Inform landowners of predator species present in the area and work with wildlife management agencies to form partnerships to mitigate problems.

  • Understand the impacts of wildlife species in the watershed and set up collaborative efforts to manage their populations in conjunction with management of domestic animals.

  • Montana is the second most populous sage grouse state with 18% of the range wide sage grouse population. The NRCS helps facilitate the Sage Grouse Initiative to assist private landowners with conservation projects that are good for “the bird and the herd.”

    Learn more about Montana’s SGI here.

  • Regenerative Agriculture is a conservation management approach that emphasizes natural resources through improved soil health, water management, and natural vitality for the productivity and prosperity of American agriculture and communities.

    This pilot program addresses whole-farm resource concerns through support for voluntary regenerative agriculture conservation plans. It puts American farmers first as a part of the solution to Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) by supporting access to American-grown whole foods, critical to addressing the chronic disease crisis nationwide.

    Learn more about program participation here.

  • The Natural Resource Conservation Service in Sweet Grass County offers a variety of local and statewide programs to assist with land and water conservation projects that are beneficial to wildlife and livestock alike. To learn about opportunities with NRCS, click here.

  • While the law requires every hunter to have permission from the landowner, lessee or agent before hunting on private property regardless of whether the land is posted or not, landowners must post their land to avoid other types of trespassing. To be clear, in Montana a person is not trespassing if the landowner does not provide notice of a private property boundary. 

    Learn about properly posting your land here.

  • Before setting out on a hunt, it’s important to know where you plan to go and what is legally accessible. For maps to help plan, click here.

  • FWP has many programs to help landowners manage public hunting access, assist with game damage, and encourage public hunting on private land. To learn more about these opportunities, click here.

Want to Help?

If you are passionate about a particular issue, contact us to get involved on the committee!

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