Administrative Rules of Montana › Department 36 - NATURAL RESOURCES AND CONSERVATION › Chapter 36.27 - LAND ADMINISTRATION › Subchapter 36.27.2 - Rules Governing the Establishment, Administration, and Management of State Natural Areas › Rule 36.27.201 - DEFINITIONS

Current through Register Vol. 13, July 5, 2024
As used in these rules, the following terms shall have the
				  meanings indicated, except where the context otherwise requires:
(1) "Application" means a written request,
				submitted to the board or the department, for the purpose of acquiring an
				interest in lands controlled by the board.
(2) "Articles of dedication" means the
				documents presented to the board, by the department, which form the basis for
				designating a state natural area.
(3) "Board" means the board of land
				commissioners.
(4) "Certificate of
				designation" means a legal document, issued by the board, expressing the
				official designation of a state natural area.
(5) "Council" means the state natural areas
				advisory council as appointed by the governor in accordance with
				2-15-122, MCA.
(6) "Department" means the department of
				natural resources and conservation.
(7) "Managing entity" means any state,
				federal, or local governmental agency, department, board, individual, citizens'
				organization, or commission which accepts, and is recognized by the department
				as qualified to fulfill, the responsibility for managing a state natural area,
				as prescribed by the Montana Natural Areas Act of 1974, these rules, and the
				master plan.
(8) "Master plan"
				means a plan prepared by the department, with the aid of the managing entity,
				that sets forth in specific detail the purpose, character, RESOURCES,
				management, and other considerations, for the protection and use of an
				individual state natural area.
(9)
				"Montana Natural Areas Act of 1974" is that act codified as Title 76, chapter
				12, part 1, MCA.
(10) "Nominating
				party" means an individual, government agency, research group, citizens'
				organization or any other interested party which recommends, to the department,
				an area for designation as a state natural area.
(11) "Proposal" means a written request,
				submitted to the board or the department to gain the necessary authority to
				initiate a development project or other activity which would alter the existing
				characteristics or nature of lands controlled by the board.
(12) "Significant actions" means a land use
				activity which, if initiated, would produce obvious visual changes in the
				natural characteristics of land.
(13) "State natural area" means an area
				established in accordance with these rules and the Montana Natural Areas Act of
				1974, which is subsequently within the administrative jurisdiction of the
				board. These areas of land must generally appear to have been affected
				primarily by the forces of nature with the visual aspects of human intrusion
				not dominant, and also must have one or more of the following characteristics:
(a) an outstanding mixture or variety of
				vegetation, wildlife, water resource, landscape and scenic values;
(b) an important or rare ecological or
				geological feature or other rare or significant natural feature worthy of
				preservation for scientific, educational or ecological purposes;