Reclamation and Development Planning Grants

DNRC Reclamation and Development Grants Program (RDGP) is now accepting applications for RDGP Planning Grants. Grants up to $75,000 are available to any city, county, Tribe, conservation district or other political subdivision in Montana. Applications are due Thursday, November 2 by 5 pm. For additional information visit the RDG Planning Grants page.

Eligible Applicants: 

• Cities, counties, or other political subdivisions (e.g. conservation district, irrigation district, school district, water/sewer/solid waste district)
• Tribal governments in Montana
• Divisions of state government (departments, agencies, boards, commissions)

The RDG Program funds planning for the following project types:

1. Reclamation ($75,000):  Projects that repair, reclaim, and/or mitigate environmental damage to public resources from non-renewable resource extraction (mining, hazardous waste, and oil and gas)
2. Drought Management Plan ($50,000): Development of a drought management plan for a watershed or region of the state. Drought management plans must identify drought mitigation projects to implement.
3. Drought Mitigation Project Planning ($50,000): Planning for specific projects that address drought across a watershed, as the main purpose of the project. The project must be identified in an existing plan such as a drought management plan or a watershed management plan that ties the need for the project to the watershed for region.
4. High Hazard Dams ($75,000):  High hazard dam (Montana Dam Safety Act, MCA 85-15-106) projects that will mitigate damage to natural resources as a result of failure.  Planning grants must clearly demonstrate natural resource benefits.
5. Channel Migration Zone (CMZ) Mapping ($75,000):  Channel migration zone (CMZ) mapping projects that plan for large-scale flood assessment or other natural resource benefits to a watershed or region of the state. Projects must identify the natural resource needs of the area and include prioritization of projects benefiting natural resources. 
6. Other Crucial State Need ($50,000):  Projects that meet a crucial state need must prevent or eliminate severe and unacceptable damage to natural resources or capture extraordinary public benefit that would otherwise be lost.  They must have a regional, watershed, or statewide importance.  Public benefit from this type of project must directly relate to natural resources.