What are 310 permits?

Within the Missoula city limits, the Missoula County commissioners administer the Natural Streambed and Land Preservation Act of 1975, and 310 permits are required for any activity conducted by a non-governmental body that results in a change in the state of a natural stream or river, its bed or immediate bank. Missoula County's 310 jurisdiction includes the Clark Fork River and Rattlesnake Creek within parts of Missoula city limits. View the Missoula County jurisdictional area on this map.

The Montana Legislature enacted The Natural Streambed and Land Preservation Act of 1975, and it was the Legislature's intent that the requirements of this law provide “adequate remedies for the protection of the environmental life support system from degradation and provide adequate remedies to prevent unreasonable depletion and degradation of natural resources.”

Missoula County has a policy that the natural rivers and streams, and the lands and property next to them, are subject to the jurisdiction of the Natural Streambed and Land Preservation Act and should be protected and preserved in their natural or existing state, and to prohibit unauthorized projects to minimize soil erosion and sedimentation. It is also Missoula County’s policy to recognize the needs of irrigation and agricultural uses of rivers and streams and protect the water for any useful or beneficial purpose. This is why the County does 310 permits.