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 MODIFICATIONS OF EXISTING STATUTES 



Montana has several existing statutes that could be modified to control 

 water quality impacts of silvicultural practices. Brief summaries of 

 some of these laws are found in Section VIII. 



1) The State Conservation Districts Law could be modified to: 



a) hold referendums on ordinances designed to control water 

 impacts (this could include various land uses or solely forest 

 practices). Currently such referendums are at the discretion of 



the district and entirely voluntary. This option allows the eligible 

 voters in the districts to decide whether a control program is in 

 their best interests. Direction could be provided by the state in 

 cooperation with the Montana Association of Conservation Districts to 

 detail elements of a desired program specific to each district. 



b) formulate regulations (adopt by resolution) without a referendum 

 to control water quality impacts. This would be similar to a^ 

 above except that eligible voters do not decide the ultimate fate of 

 the program. Unless Section 76-114, RCM 1947, was modified, voters 

 could decide to discontinue the district or part of the district if they 

 were unhappy with the regulations adopted by resolution without adequate 

 public input. 



2) Section 81-1409, RCM 1947, provides for cooperation between the state 

 (Dept. of Natural Resources and Conservation) and public or private land- 

 owners to prevent soil erosion. The section could be modified to require 

 such cooperation and provide for rules and regulations to implement this 

 program. 



