Each year, MACD’s member districts are invited to craft and submit resolutions that will help direct the advocacy and policy work of the Association on specific natural resource issues. Through the resolution process, districts are able to provide the Association with direct input on natural resource topics of high interest or concern at the local, regional, state, and/or national level.
The full resolution process is described on the Resolution and Committees Process page. To submit a resolution, use the resolution google form, or one of the provided word documents on the Resolution and Committees Process page.
Resolutions Library
16-02: Supporting Infrastructure
WHEREAS, MCA 76-156-102 which is the Montana Association of Conservation Districts’ Declaration of policy, states “It is hereby declared to be the policy of the legislature to provide for the…
Read full resolution16-01: Support for Conservation District Water Reservations
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Montana Association of Conservation Districts will oppose any efforts to revoke or reduce the flow rates and volumes of any and all Water Reservations held by Conservation Districts.
Read full resolution15-03: Use Local Ecological Knowledge to Incorporate Predation Concerns Into Ecological Restoration for Endangered Species
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that MACD work with Montana Sage Grouse Oversight Team (MSGOT) to address predators as listed above as a component that needs better understanding and be included in restoration efforts, as well as control efforts if needed.
THEREFORE BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that MACD promote the use of “local ecological knowledge” in addressing the impacts to Sage grouse populations.
THEREFORE BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that MACD encourage the MSGOT and other agencies to address all impacts to Sage grouse populations.
Read full resolution15-02: Clarification and coordination of outreach regarding Board of Oil and Gas Form 22
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Montana Association of Conservation Districts work with the Montana Board of Oil & Gas Conservation to amend the wording on the Board of Oil & Gas Conservation Form 22, Supplemental Information # 6, to strike the phrase “stream crossing permit” and insert the phrase “310 Permit” to better inform an operator that a 310 permit covers projects in addition to stream crossings; and should contact the local conservation district in order for the district to determine if a 310 permit is required.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Montana Association of Conservation Districts request the Montana Board of Oil & Gas Conservation to encourage operators prior to filling out the Board of Oil & Gas Conservation Form 22, to meet with the local conservation districts to determine the extent of the local conservation district’s jurisdiction over well pads under the 310 Law.
Read full resolution15-01: Clarification and coordination of 310 and floodplain permitting
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Montana Association of Conservation Districts (MACD) work with DNRC to develop an amendment to the floodplain rules allowing an exemption from engineering requirements for such stabilization projects.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that MACD work with DNRC to provide outreach to floodplain administrators and conservation districts about the appropriate timing of the permitting process.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that MACD work with DNRC to find solutions to the engineering requirements and permitting delays.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that, if deemed necessary, MACD pursue legislative action to change floodplain statutes to address these concerns.
Read full resolution14-01: Endangered Species Prey Preservation
THEREFORE IT BE RESOLVED, that the Montana Association of Conservation Districts encourage the Federal government to add an addendum to the Endangered species act to that requires preservation of prey for listed endangered predators.
Read full resolution14-02: Oppose Continuous Grazing on Federal Lands
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that Montana Association of Conservation Districts is to contact the Department of Interior, Bureau of Land Management, to oppose continuous year- round grazing permits on native range lands in Montana.
THEREFORE BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that continuous year-round grazing should not occur on BLM lands with the exception of smaller unfenced parcels that are managed accordingly by the permit holder.
Read full resolution14-03: Recognition of Local Ecological Knowledge in Natural Resource Management
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Montana Association of Conservation Districts support the development of a Local Ecological Knowledge (LEK) program in Conservation Districts and promote the value of local ecological knowledge to agencies and the importance of local support for conservation activities and management of public lands.
Read full resolution14-04: Supporting Collaboration and Communication among Agencies and Local Entities
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Montana Association of Conservation Districts (MACD) contact and encourage the development of memoranda of understanding (MOU’s) among the agencies, colleges and research teams, non-governmental organizations (NGO’s) and conservation districts to encourage collaboration, cooperation and communication among NGO’s, state and federal agencies with local people such as producers, field office staff, district staff and supervisors, and county commissioners.
Read full resolution14-05: Cooperation before Litigation in Natural Resource Conflicts
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Montana Association of Conservation Districts seek legislation requiring that all organizations, agencies, and individuals bringing litigation to contest natural resource management on public lands in Montana, be required to provide proof that they have worked through the local Conservation Districts and watershed groups and exhausted all efforts to find a workable solution for the sustainability of the land, the wildlife, and the communities that are economically, culturally, and socially dependent on that land.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Montana Association of Conservation Districts work closely with NRCS, Montana State University Extension, DNRC and other agencies or seek funding for private consultation to aid with the technical support required for finding solutions.
Read full resolution13-11: Montana Conservation Practices Month
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that Montana CDs and Watershed Groups work to establish August as Montana Conservation Promotion Month starting August 2014. Participants will work with Montana Association of Conservation Districts and Montana Watershed Coordination Council to develop marketing materials (press release, logo, etc) and promote their own local event. Participants agree to organize and host a tour of a successful project or program in their area during the year.
Read full resolution13-10: Conservation District Group Benefit Plan
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Montana Association of Conservation District, in consultation with the Conservation Districts Bureau, Conservation & Resource Development Division, Department of Natural Resources and Conservation, develop legislation for the 2015 legislative assembly to adopt a specific law for codification in Title 15, chapter 10, part 4 and Title 76, chapter 15, Montana Code Annotated, to provide permanent funding of a group benefit plan for all conservation district employees by means of the conservation district’s annual regular levy.
Read full resolution13–09: Invasive Species Advisory Council
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that MACD supports the formation of an Invasive Species Advisory Council attached to the Governor’s office. This would more closely align Montana’s invasive species management efforts with surrounding states such as Idaho, Oregon, and Washington, and improve coordination among private, state, and federal stakeholders.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Invasive Species Advisory Council be comprised of members representing a cross-section of Montana agricultural, environmental, governmental, and business interests.
Read full resolution13–08: CBMPA Scope Expansion
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Montana Association of Conservation Districts approach the next Montana Legislature to request expanding the existing CBMPA law to include development of baseline and long-term monitoring data for all natural energy resources that impact water quality and quantity.
Read full resolution13–07: Legal Clarification of Reserved Water Rights
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that Montana Association of Conservation Districts (MACD) shall encourage, through contact and monitoring feedback reports, the Montana Department of Natural Resources to adhere to Section 89-8-107 of the Act, and Section 85-2-316(8)(a) M.C.A. and assist conservation districts in their efforts to promote beneficial use of Montana’s waters by allowing use of conservation district reserved water to be exempt from the DNRC change process if:
1) The source was identified on the original reserved water application;
2) The original public notice of the CD reflects correct information of proposed use;
3) The place of use, township, and range are listed on the original reserved water
application;
4) The proposed use does not exceed 10.0 cfs or 1,000 ac/ft per year; and
5) The purpose is for agricultural irrigation.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Montana Association of Conservation Districts working jointly with DNRC to adhere to M.C.A. 85-2-316(8)(a) to approach the Montana legislature to provide sufficient funding and staff to timely process approved conservation district reserved water applications.
AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that Montana Association of Conservation Districts seek legal clarification that a conservation district reserved water right is a conditional water right protected by law as is a permit to appropriate water, and as such is not subject to the same requirements of a new water right permit application.
Read full resolution