Montana Grass Conservation Commission

Mission:

"To provide for the conservation, protection, restoration, and proper utilization of grass, forage and range resources of the State of Montana"

Creation of Montana grass conservation commission
– membership meetings - compensation.

The commission is composed of five members appointed by the governor to serve staggered 3-year terms.

• The governor, after giving full consideration to representation by both large and small operators, shall appoint:  

1. two members who are either officers of or who serve on the board of directors of a state district;

2. two members who hold active grazing preference rights within a state district; and

3. one member of the public who possesses a general understanding of the livestock industry and the proper use of rangelands within state districts for the purpose of livestock production.

4. Ex officio members may be appointed by the commission as needed.

5. Members may not be appointed for more than three consecutive terms. The commission shall annually elect from among its members a presiding officer and a vice presiding officer.  The presiding officer shall preside over all meetings of the commission, except that the vice presiding officer shall assume the duties of the presiding officer in the absence of the presiding officer.

6. The commission shall meet annually at the main offices of the department in Helena .  The commission may hold other meetings at times and places as necessary upon the call of the presiding officer or the request of a majority of commission members and upon at least 7 days’ written notice to the commission members of the time and place of the meeting. A majority of commission members constitutes a quorum for the transaction of business.  The commission shall keep accurate records of all business that is considered, and the presiding officer shall sign all orders, minutes, and other documents of the commission.

7. Commission members may receive no compensation for their services, but members are entitled to compensation for actual expenses incurred in carrying out their duties, including travel and per diem.  

8. The commission is allocated to the department for administrative purposes only as provided in 2-15-121. The commission shall, if it determines that personnel services are required, hire its own personnel, and 2-15-121 (2)(d) does not apply. The secretary must be employed at the discretion of the commission.

Powers of Commission

The commission has all the powers enumerated in this chapter and any other powers necessary or incidental to carrying out the full purpose and intent of this chapter, including but not limited to:

1. conducting hearings on issues brought before the commission and conducting investigations into matters affecting the commission or the operation of state districts, including appeals of decisions made by the board of directors of an individual state district or other actions taken in accordance with this chapter;

2. administratively promoting and fostering an atmosphere of cooperation and mutual trust between the federal bureau of land management, the United States forest service, the department, and state districts and upholding the terms and conditions of any memorandum of understanding between those entities with regard to provisions noted in the Federal Land Policy and Management Act, the Public Rangelands Improvement Act, the Taylor Grazing Act.

3. prescribing methodologies to be used for the real-location of grazing preference within cooperative state districts that, for whatever reason, no longer have access to historical grazing preference records;

4. preparing and standardizing various forms to be used by the state districts and supervising or regulating the organization and operation of state districts;

5. issuing citations directed to any person requiring the person’s attendance before the commission and subpoenaing witnesses and paying expenses that would be allowed in a court action;

6. requiring an officer or director of a state district to submit records of the state district to the commission for the purpose of aiding an investigation con-ducted by the commission;

7. requiring state districts to annually furnish itemized financial reports; and

8. cooperating and entering into agreements on be-half of a state district, with its consent, with any governmental subdivision, department, or agency in order to promote the purposes of this chapter.

MONTANA GRASS CONSERVATION COMMISSION

Dan Teigen
HC 33 Box 845
Teigen, Mt 59084

Steve Barnard
HC 73 Box 18
Hinsdale, Mt. 59241

Leo Solf
Box 121
Winnett, Mt. 59087

Mr. Alvin Windy Boy SR
RR Box 917
Box Elder, Mt. 59521

Sandra K. Brown
Executive Vice President
Box 622
Terry, Mt. 59349
Sandra.brown@mt.nacdnet.net

 

MONTANA STATE GRAZING DISTRICTS

Badland Grazing District
Buffalo Creek Grazing District
Buggy Creek Grazing District
C & B Grazing District
Chain Buttes Grazing District
Crooked Creek Grazing District
Devil’s Basin Grazing District
East Custer Grazing District
Flatwillow Creek Grazing District
Fort Pease Grazing District
Froze to Death Grazing District
Grass Range Grazing District
Indian Butte Grazing District
Kilby Butte Grazing District
Missouri River Basin Grazing District
North Blaine Grazing District
North Phillips Grazing District
North Valley Grazing District
Pole Creek Grazing District
Prairie County Grazing District
Red Butte Grazing District
South Phillips Grazing District
Wayne Creek Grazing District
Weede Grazing District
Williams Coulee Grazing District
Willow Creek Grazing District
Winnett Grazing District