310 permits in Chouteau County, Montana
Planning work in or near a stream in Chouteau County? A culvert, a bridge, bank work, a ford, riprap, or clearing
the channel all need a 310 permit from the local conservation district before you start. Here is who to call.
Chouteau County is covered by more than one conservation district. Which one handles your permit depends on where the work is. If you are not sure, call either one with your address or legal description and they will tell you.
Chouteau County Conservation District
Covers about 64 percent of Chouteau County
Office in Fort Benton
Big Sandy Conservation District
Covers about 36 percent of Chouteau County
Office in Big Sandy
What to expect
- Call first. Describe the project before you plan it in detail. The district will tell you whether it needs a permit
and send you the application, which is Montana's Joint Application for work in streams.
- Cost. DNRC's Joint Application instructions list the 310 permit as no fee, and districts such as Gallatin
say it is free. DNRC also says a fee may apply in some places, so ask.
- Timing. A review team makes recommendations, and the district board has 60 days from accepting your application
to approve, modify or deny it. Apply well ahead of when you want a machine in the water.
- Other permits. Some stream work also needs federal or other state permits. The district can tell you, and our
310 permit guide explains which, and what skipping a permit costs.
When the board meets: 310 applications are decided by the district board. Call and ask when the next meeting is and how far ahead they need your application.
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Sources, checked October 30, 2026: Montana DNRC and Montana Association of Conservation Districts, Conservation District
Directory; DNRC conservation district and county boundary maps; DNRC Stream Permitting; Joint Application instructions; district websites
where available. Contact details change; if a number is wrong, the DNRC Conservation Districts Bureau is at (406) 444-6667.