As used in this part, the following definitions apply:

1. (1) "Applicant" means any person presenting notice of a project to the supervisors.
2. (2) "Department" means the Montana department of fish, wildlife, and parks.

3. (3) "District" means:

   1. (a) a conservation district under Title 76, chapter 15, in which the project will take place;
   2. (b) a grass conservation district under Title 76, chapter 16, where a conservation district does not exist; or
   3. (c) the board of county commissioners in a county where a district does not exist.
4. (4) "Person" means any individual, corporation, firm, partnership, association, or other legal entity not covered under 87-5-502.

5. (5)

   1. (a) "Project" means a physical alteration or modification that results in a change in the state of a natural, perennial-flowing stream or river, its bed, or its immediate banks.

   2. (b) Project does not include:

      1. (i) an activity for which a plan of operation has been submitted to and approved by the district. Any modification to the plan must have prior approval of the district.
      2. (ii) customary and historic maintenance and repair of existing irrigation facilities that do not significantly alter or modify the stream in contravention of 75-7-102; or
      3. (iii) livestock grazing activities.
6. (6) "Stream" means any natural, perennial-flowing stream or river, its bed, and its immediate banks except a stream or river that has been designated by district rule as not having significant aquatic and riparian attributes in need of protection or preservation under 75-7-102.
7. (7) "Supervisors" means the board of supervisors of a conservation district, the directors of a grass conservation district, or the board of county commissioners where a proposed project is not within a district.
8. (8) "Team" means one representative of the supervisors, one representative of the department, and the applicant or the applicant's representative.
9. (9) "Written consent of the supervisors" means a written decision of the supervisors approving a project and specifying activities authorized to be performed in completing the project.

History: En. 26-1512 by Sec. 3, Ch. 463, L. 1975; R.C.M. 1947, 26-1512; amd. Sec. 2, Ch. 218, L. 1979; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 551, L. 1987; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 426, L. 1995; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 447, L. 2003.