1. (1) Grant applications must address how projects would create habitat uplift or net conservation gain for species of conservation need or restore, rehabilitate, improve, or manage land or water as wildlife or aquatic habitat through habitat improvement or conservation. All applications must contain the following criteria:

   1. (a) the name, address, and telephone number of the project sponsor, project manager, and liaison (if different from the manager);
   2. (b) the title or name of the proposed project;
   3. (c) a description of the proposed project, including measurable objectives;
   4. (d) the total grant amount requested;
   5. (e) the location and size (area) of the proposed project and maps depicting the specific location of the project area, and ownership of participating lands;
   6. (f) a brief description of the history and background of the project;
   7. (g) a list of the species of conservation need expected to benefit from habitat improvement projects and a description of how those species are expected to benefit;

   8. (h) a description of the need and urgency of the proposed project, including details of how the project would do one or more of the following:

      1. (i) improve, conserve, protect, or maintain terrestrial or aquatic habitats;
      2. (ii) water enhancement projects to benefit aquatic habitat and allow for other watershed enhancements that benefit fish, wildlife, and water conservation;
      3. (iii) improve, maintain, or restore range conditions and increase drought resilience;
      4. (iv) address and mitigate detrimental impacts to wildlife habitat and the environment, and improve the condition of the land due to noxious weeds, soil disturbance, or loss of diverse habitat communities;
      5. (v) mitigate conflicts and reduce the potential for disease transmission between wildlife and domestic livestock;
      6. (vi) support activities and employees of the state tribal wildlife programs or create habitat uplift and net conservation gain for species of conservation need;
   9. (i) a description of the measurable objectives of the project;
   10. (j) a description of public access to participating lands within the project area if public access is provided as a part of the proposal;
   11. (k) any other information deemed relevant by the department, which is included in the project application;
   12. (l) a funding plan as described in (2);
   13. (m) a timeline and schedule for completion of the proposed project, including start dates and expected completion dates; and
   14. (n) a statement that the project sponsor, if the grant receives approval, is willing to enter a contract with the department for utilization of grant funds and required documentation, reporting, and monitoring.

2. (2) The funding plan must include the following:

   1. (a) the amount of funding contribution requested from the Wildlife Habitat Improvement Program, and the total amount of funding and in-kind contributions necessary to complete the project;
   2. (b) a breakdown of the cost components used to estimate the funding request;
   3. (c) a timeline detailing expected funding needs for the duration of the project, including any advance payments that may be requested; and

   4. (d) If multiple partners are involved in a proposed project:

      1. (i) a list of partners and their respective cash commitments ;
      2. (ii) a list of leveraged funds and in-kind contributions; and
      3. (iii) signed letters of commitment from each funding partner that identifies their role in the partnership, the source and amount of funds committed, and other in-kind contributions toward the proposed project.
3. (3) Grant funds may not be used to acquire perpetual easements or lands in fee title.

Authorizing statute(s): 87-5-808, MCA

Implementing statute(s): 87-5-803, 87-5-804, 87-5-805, 87-5-806, 87-5-807, MCA

History: NEW, 2018 MAR p. 632, Eff. 3/31/18; AMD, 2024 MAR p. 1453, Eff. 6/22/24; AMD, 2026 MAR, Notice No. 2025-274, Eff. 3/21/26.