2) The decision-making process is made more visible to the public; 

 Eind broader participation is allowed: 



5) Decisions are based on substantial documentation and therefore 

 should stand up better under court scrutiny; 



4) Interagency coordination is brought about so that the concern and 

 expertise of all interested agencies can be considered jointly; 



5) Negative impacts to the environment, including renewable resources, 

 can be identified and in most cases mitigated. 



Beyond MEPA, there are numerous state laws which do not necessarily fit 

 into the environmental category, but which will be of interest to people who 

 use and manage range land. 



A brief listing of those most of you are aware of would include: 



1) The Water Use Act - requires a permit from the Department of Nat- 

 ural Resources and Conservation to appropriate surface water, a notice of 

 completion for wells with a yield of 100 gpm or less, and a permit for lar- 

 ger wells. 



2) The Water Pollution Control Act - requires a permit from the Depart- 

 ment of Health and Environmental Sciences for point source discharges of was- 

 tes into state waters. 



3) Floodway Management Act - requires a permit from the Department of 

 Natural Resources or local governing body for certain structures and noncon- 

 forming uses of land within a designated floodplain. 



4) Nat-ural Streambed and Land Preservation Act - requires a permit from 

 the Conservation District Supervisors for physical alterations to a perennial 

 stream, its bed, or immediate banks. 



5) Grazing Districts Law - requires a permit from the Department of 

 Agriculture for the use of restricted pesticides. 



7) Animal Confinement Rules - requires a permit from the Department of 

 Health & Environmental Sciences for operation of a confined animal feeding 

 facility. 



All of these laws are well intentioned — most are necessary — yet, it is 

 obvious just from a brief listing that someone wanting to use water may have 

 to get three different permits; someone wanting to start a feed lot may need 

 even more. 



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