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Lewis and Clark Conservation District Soil Erosion Sediment Control 

 Ordinance 



#77-01 



Enacted in 1977, this ordinance is the first land use regulation to be 

 adopted by a conservation district (as authorized in the Conservation 

 District Law). The ordinance provides a comprehensive and coordinated 

 erosion and sediment control program that includes application to 

 forestry activities (Section 8). Best management practices related to 

 forestry activities are presented in the ordinance as guidelines for 

 development of erosion and sediment controls. Each land occupier must 

 have an approved (by the district supervisor) conservation plan (with 

 woodland management section) or timber harvest plan before commencing any 

 timber harvesting activities. Enforcement of the ordinance is pursued 

 through the Lewis and Clark County Conservation District. Voluntary 

 compliance is stressed, but the District also has the authority to initiate 

 orders for mandatory corrective measures or cease and desist orders 

 through the district court. 



The state Division of Forestry assists the conservation district 

 in education and assistance to the public and evaluation of forestry manage- 

 ment plans. To date, 14 timber harvest applications have been field 

 checked and approved. Two violations have been documented (associated with 

 violation of the streambed preservation act), and are pending action by 

 the county attorney. Other statistical evaluation of the ordinance's 

 effectiveness are not available (due to its recent implementation). 



With respect to forestry activities, the Lewis and Clark County 

 sediment control ordinance provides the potential for effective local 

 control of associated water quality problems. There are two aspects 

 necessary for successful implementation of the ordinance: 1) Funding 



