Technical and Financial Assistance for Responsible Development near Montana's Rivers, Streams, and Wetlands
The margins along streams, rivers, and wetlands in Montana are important natural resources that often attract development because of the diverse natural features and amenities found there. These natural features include riparian areas and floodplains. Some of the amenities or values associated with these areas are: wildlife habitat, flood water storage, ground water recharge, water quality, forage and timber resources, cultural significance, and recreation.
Technical and financial assistance available from NRCS can help land owners and land managers maintain riparian and floodplain setbacks to protect these margins as waterfront areas come under development pressure. NRCS's natural resources conservation programs help people reduce soil erosion, enhance water supplies, improve water quality, increase wildlife habitat, and reduce damages caused by floods and other natural disasters.
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Bank erosion, flooding, introduction of pollutants and loss of critical habitat are all effects caused by building too closely to water's edge.
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Constructing a home with a stream setback helps maintain a natural setting, and provides room for fish, wildlife, and vegetation to thrive.
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NRCS Technical Resources
NRCS policy on providing assistance to managers of riparian areas (190 GM, part 411.03(d)) emphasizes that NRCS must strive to:
- provide the best alternatives for the sustainable production of multiple benefits;
- assist land managers to understand that riparian areas are vital components of the ecosystems in which they occur and are extremely important for flood control and hydrologic function (water quantity, quality, and timing); and
- incorporate riparian areas into conservation plans to sustain or improve water quality and quantity benefits
Conservation Practices - Riparian and Floodplain Management
To view the Standards, Specifications or Jobsheets for these practices, go to Section IV of the Field Office Technical Guide (FOTG).
- Channel Bank Vegetation - 322
- Filter Strip - 393
- Prescribed Grazing - 528
- Riparian Forest Buffer - 391
- Riparian Herbaceous Cover - 390
- Upland Wildlife Habitat Management - 645
- Use Exclusion- 472
- Wetland Wildlife Habitat Management - 644
Technical Notes - Riparian and Floodplain Management
Additional information is available from NRCS at your local USDA Service Center.
NRCS Conservation Programs
Land owners and land managers interested in the conservation and enhancement of riparian and floodplain areas on their land may be eligible for technical and financial assistance through the NRCS conservation programs listed here.
Additional Information
The following publications are available in Adobe Reader format. If you encounter any problems with the file provided on this page, please contact Technical Resources at 406-587-6822.
