Hearings on HB6 – Renewable Resources Grant and Loan Program (CD Projects included) Jan 18-20th

Starting today, the Section F Budget Subcommittee (Long Range Planning) will begin hearings on HB6, sponsored by Rep. Hopkins (R-Missoula), are taking place January 18th-20th. HB includes funding for the Renewable Resource Grant and Loan Program (RRGL).

Specifically, HB 6 includes funding for over 70 proposed grants, to a total cost of $112 million dollars. Of these, 20 are irrigation grants. Funding for conservation districts included in HB6 includes:

• Grant programs that districts can access: emergency grants, RRGL planning grants, irrigation development grants, watershed grants, and nonpoint source grants
• District Projects: 1.) Pondera CD – Birch Creek Project 2.) Ruby Valley CD – Jefferson Channel Restoration Project 3.) Pondera CD – PCCRC – Canal Headworks Automation 4.) Granite CD – Allendale Ditch Rehabilitation

There are two relevant programs funded in the bills currently within the Section F Subcommittee:

1. Renewable Resources Grant and Loan Program (RRGL) – HB6
2. Renewable Resource Development Program (RDGP) funding is in HB7, which is schedule for the week of Jan. 23rd.

Lindsey Volpe from DNRC (LmVolpe@mt.gov) is the primary contact for district projects within the RRGL Program and is coordinating testimony on specific projects. MACD will also be in committee to support district projects, as well as ongoing and new grant programs that will benefit districts.