Division Overview
Centralized Services Division
The Centralized Services Division 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
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
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.
