In order to maintain eligibility for most USDA programs, producers must comply with the Highly Erodible Land Conservation (HELC) and Wetland Conservation (WC) provisions, agreeing they will not:
Produce an agricultural commodity on highly erodible land without an adequate conservation system;
Plant an agricultural commodity on a converted wetland;
Convert a wetland to make possible the production of an agricultural commodity.
The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is responsible for providing program participants technical assistance and determinations to assist them in complying with the provisions.
HELC/WC Provision Contacts
Name: Kale Gullett
Title: State Resource Conservationist
Phone: 406-587-6998
Email: kale.gullett@usda.gov
Name: Alex Dado
Title: State Soil Scientist
Phone: 406-587-6730
Email: alex.dado@usda.gov
HELC/WC Technical Resources
Given the geographical differences of wetlands, soils, and climate in each State; information and technical resources specific to Montana implementation of the HELC/WC provisions are provided below:
Montana Department of Transportation Wetland Assessment Method (PDF; 4.4 MB) Designed to address highway and other linear projects, this method can also be applied to other types of projects, including mitigation projects to evaluate wetland functions and values.
