Text Size 
DNRC Strategic Plan
- Director's Office
- Conservation and Resource Development Division
- Forestry Division
- Oil and Gas Conservation Division
- Reserved Water Rights Compact Commission
- Trust Land Management Division
- Water Resources Division
Introduction
The Strategic Plan of the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC) is the blueprint for the department's future success and provides the public information regarding department strategy. It answers three basic questions:
- Where are we?
- Where are we going?
- How are we going to get there?
It includes information that is important to us, such as our mission, vision and values; strategic goals and objectives; and organizational performance. We hope you find this informative and useful. Please let us know how you feel we are doing and what we can do to serve you better.
Send your comments to our Public Information Office
Our Mission
To help ensure Montana's land and water resources provide benefits for present and future generations
Vision
We want to be viewed as the public's agency of choice in natural resource management and customer service. We intend to be recognized as a value-based agency, one that exercises strong leadership and is able to respond to changing needs.
Values
Our guiding principles underpin all that we do:
- We obey the law.
- We tell the truth.
- We follow through on commitments and are accountable for our actions.
- We believe in being fiscally responsible for the taxpayer's money.
- We invite the public to participate in our actions and decisions.
- We provide prompt and courteous service to all our customers.
- We value and trust one another and strive for a healthy and productive work environment.
History
First established as a result of the Executive Reorganization Act of 1971, DNRC provides leadership in managing the state's natural resources. In 1995 the department was reorganized as part of the reorganization of Montana's natural resource and environmental agencies. It is presently responsible for promoting the stewardship of Montana's water, soil, forest, and rangeland resources and for regulating forest practices and oil and gas exploration and production.
Department Organization
The director of the Department of Natural Resources and Conservation is Mary Sexton.
As shown below, eight boards and commissions are attached to the department. Four of them - the State Board of Land Commissioners, Reserved Water Rights Compact Commission, Board of Oil and Gas Conservation, and Board of Water Well Contractors - have decision-making authority. The other four - the Resource Conservation Advisory Council, Rangeland Resources Committee, Grass Conservation Advisory Committee, and Drought Advisory Committee - act in an advisory capacity only.
View Organizational Chart
The department is organized into seven divisions:
- Director's Office
- Conservation and Resource Development Division
- Forestry Division
- Trust Land Management Division
- Water Resources Division
- Oil and Gas Conservation Division*
- Reserved Water Rights Compact Commission*
*Two of the divisions - the Oil and Gas Conservation Division and the Reserved Water Rights Compact Commission - are attached to the department for administrative purposes only.
Division Duties and Responsibilities
Director's Office
The Director's Office provides administrative and operational support to all divisions. Support services include financial management, purchasing, data processing, personnel, legal, reception, and mail. The division coordinates information services and prepares publications and graphic materials for printing. Trust revenues are collected and distributed, and ownership records for trust and non-trust lands are maintained.
Conservation and Resource Development Division
The Conservation and Resource Development Division coordinates, supervises, and provides financial and technical assistance to Montana's 58 conservation districts, and it provides technical, financial, and administrative assistance to public and private entities to complete projects that put renewable resources to work, increase the efficiency with which natural resources are used, or solve recognized environmental problems. The division receives advice and guidance from three attached bodies: the Resource Conservation Advisory Council, the Rangeland Resources Committee, and the Grass Conservation Advisory Committee.
Forestry Division
Goals and Objectives (pdf)
The Forestry Division protects the state's forested and non-forested watershed lands from wildfire; provides aviation services; operates a nursery and provides shelterbelt, windbreak, wildlife habitat improvement, reclamation, and reforestation plantings on state and private lands; and regulates forest practices and wildfire hazards created by logging or other forest management operations on private lands.
Oil and Gas Conservation Division
The Board of Oil and Gas Conservation and its technical support staff are attached to the department for administrative purposes. The quasi-judicial board is comprised of seven members consisting of industry representatives, landowners, and an attorney. They administer Montana's oil and gas laws and the federal Underground Injection Control Program to promote conservation and prevent waste in the recovery of these resources through regulation of oil and gas exploration and production. The board and its staff issue drilling permits; classify wells; establish well spacing units and land pooling orders; inspect drilling, production, and seismic operations; investigate complaints; conduct engineering studies; and collect and maintain complete well data and production information.
Reserved Water Rights Compact Commission
The Reserved Water Rights Compact Commission, which is also administratively attached to the department, was created by the legislature in 1979 as part of the water rights adjudication effort. Commissioners are appointed by the governor, the attorney general, the speaker of the House of Representatives, and the president of the Senate. The nine-member commission and its support staff negotiate water rights with Indian Tribes and federal agencies to establish a formal agreement on the amount of water to be allocated to each interest.
Trust Land Management Division
Goals and Objectives (pdf)
The Trust Land Management Division is responsible for managing the surface and mineral resources of forested, grazing, agricultural, and other classified state trust lands to produce revenue for the benefit of Montana's public schools and other endowed institutions. The State Board of Land Commissioners oversees the administration of the state trust land in Montana, as directed by the Montana Constitution. This board consists of Montana's top elected officials: the governor, superintendent of public instruction, secretary of state, attorney general, and state auditor.
Water Resources Division
The Water Resources Division is responsible for many programs associated with the uses, development, and protection of Montana's water. The division also develops and recommends water policy to the director, governor, and legislature. The division consists of an administration unit and four bureaus: water management, water rights, state water projects, and water operations. Attached to the Water Operations Bureau is the 6-member Board of Water Well Contractors, a quasi-judicial board that can issue, suspend, or revoke licenses; promulgate rules and regulations; investigate complaints; and hold disciplinary hearings. The 18-member Drought Advisory Committee is also attached to the Water Resources Division.
Field Operations
Although the department headquarters is located in Helena, the field operations for the department's programs are performed through field offices and personnel located in 28 different communities. Included are both full time and seasonal employees from the Conservation and Resource Development, Forestry, Oil and Gas Conservation, Trust Land Management, and Water Resources Divisions.
DNRC Field Operations Maps
Financial Information
The table below presents overall appropriations and funding of the Department of Natural Resources and Conservation for Fiscal Years (FY) 2004 and 2005.
Department of Natural Resources and Conservation Appropriations and Funding
for Fiscal Years 2004 and 2005
|
APPROPRIATIONS |
FY 2004 |
FY 2005 |
Total |
|
Full Time Equivalent Employees |
486.26 |
486.26 |
|
|
Personal Services |
$22,043,236 |
$122,095,657 |
$44,138,893 |
|
Operating Expenses |
$13,6258,703 |
$10,603,983 |
$24,232,686 |
|
Equipment & Intangibles |
$804,665 |
$748,615 |
$1,553,280 |
|
Capital Outlay |
$454 |
$454 |
$908 |
|
Local Assistance |
$213,373 |
$213,373 |
$426,746 |
|
Grants |
$892,175 |
$892,095 |
$1,784,270 |
|
Benefits & Claims |
$1,000,000 |
$1,000,000 |
$2,000,000 |
|
Transfers |
$398,339 |
$398,339 |
$796,678 |
|
Debt Service |
$584,394 |
$584,394 |
$1,168,788 |
|
TOTAL |
$39,565,339 |
$36,536,910 |
$76,102,249 |
|
FUNDING |
|||
|
General Fund |
$16,988,091 |
$17,006,615 |
$33,994,706 |
|
State/Other |
$20,630,081 |
$17,664,998 |
$38,295,079 |
|
Federal Special |
$1,947,167 |
$1,865,297 |
$3,812,464 |
|
TOTAL |
$39,565,339 |
$36,536,910 |
$76,102,249 |
