FOREWORD 



To maintain or improve the quality of Montana's 

 environment we must manage the soil and water 

 resources in such a way as to meet the needs of 

 its people without deterioration of these physical 

 resources. 



The challenge before us is one we cannot over- 

 look if we are to manage and improve the soil and 

 water resources for the future. First of all, we 

 need an up-to-date inventory of our soil and water 

 resources with their present and alternative uses. 

 Treatment needs for management and improvement in 

 all phases of land use are most important to all 

 involved with land use decisions. 



This report provides a basic inventory of the 

 soil and water resources and related land use for 

 the private and State owned lands in Montana. 

 Treatment needs in terms of land use were deter- 

 mined by county conservation needs committees in 

 each of the fifty-six counties. 



