WMCC SHOWCASE GREEN STORMWATER INFRASTRUCTURE (GSI) GRANT PROGRAM AND APPLICATION GENERAL INFORMATION

Visit our website and check out our guidelines for more specifics: WMCC-EPA-Grant-Subaward-Guidelines.pdf

Eligible projects will create green stormwater infrastructure (GSI) projects designed to mitigate pollution and reduce runoff while showcasing co-benefits and opportunities for public engagement.

If you have any immediate questions please contact our general email DNRCARDDWMCC@mt.gov or grant staff directly.

Kristen Jordan, Grant Program Specialist, Kristen.Jordan@mt.gov

Heidi Fleury, Grant Program Specialist, Heidi.Fleury@mt.gov

Krista Lammers, Grant Administrative Specialist, Krista.Lammers@mt.gov

WMCC RESIDENTIAL & COMMUNITY GREEN STORMWATER INFRASTRUCTURE (GSI) GRANT PROGRAM AND APPLICATION GENERAL INFORMATION

Visit our website and check out our guidelines for more specifics: WMCC-EPA-Grant-Subaward-Guidelines.pdf

Eligible projects will develop or expand residential and community green stormwater infrastructure (GSI) programs that provide cost share, outreach, and programming on the benefits of using GSI to manage water quality impacts of stormwater runoff water. In addition to providing funds for materials, supplies and cost-shares for other services, successful programs will engage and educate residents and/or natural resource professionals about the conservation co-benefits of using GSI to mitigate toxic pollution from stormwater runoff in Western Montana watersheds that are part of the Columbia River Basin.

If you have any immediate questions please contact our general email DNRCARDDWMCC@mt.gov or grant staff directly.

Kristen Jordan, Grant Program Specialist, Kristen.Jordan@mt.gov

Heidi Fleury, Grant Program Specialist, Heidi.Fleury@mt.gov

Krista Lammers, Grant Administrative Specialist, Krista.Lammers@mt.gov

WMCC SEPTIC SYSTEM REPLACEMENT AND SEWER CONNECTIVITY GRANT PROGRAM AND APPLICATION GENERAL INFORMATION

Visit our website and check out our guidelines for more specifics: WMCC-EPA-Grant-Subaward-Guidelines.pdf

Eligible projects will provide water quality benefits by replacing aging and underperforming septic systems or connecting septic systems or a group of septic systems to a local water and sewer district. In addition to septic system replacement or sewer district connection, the program will engage and educate residents about toxic pollution from septic leachate in Western Montana watersheds that are part of the Columbia River Basin.

If you have any immediate questions please contact our general email DNRCARDDWMCC@mt.gov or grant staff directly.

Kristen Jordan, Grant Program Specialist, Kristen.Jordan@mt.gov

Heidi Fleury, Grant Program Specialist, Heidi.Fleury@mt.gov

Krista Lammers, Grant Administrative Specialist, Krista.Lammers@mt.gov 

WMCC SEPTIC EDUCATION AND MAINTENANCE GRANT PROGRAM AND APPLICATION GENERAL INFORMATION

Visit our website and check out our guidelines for more specifics: WMCC-EPA-Grant-Subaward-Guidelines.pdf

Eligible projects will develop or expand residential septic maintenance programs that provide cost share, outreach, and programming on septic water quality impacts. In addition to providing a maintenance cost-share or other services, programs or events will engage and educate residents and/or natural resource professionals about toxic pollution from septic leachate in Western Montana watersheds that are part of the Columbia River Basin. 

If you have any immediate questions please contact our general email DNRCARDDWMCC@mt.gov or grant staff directly.

Kristen Jordan, Grant Program Specialist, Kristen.Jordan@mt.gov

Heidi Fleury, Grant Program Specialist, Heidi.Fleury@mt.gov

Krista Lammers, Grant Administrative Specialist, Krista.Lammers@mt.gov

DO YOU NEED HELP APPLYING FOR A RENEWABLE RESOURCE PLANNING GRANT? 

DNRC is offering local governments Technical Assistance to apply for planning grants. Technical Assistance funds are designed to assist local governments that: 

1.  Do not have an established relationship with a professional engineering firm. OR 
2. Have not been successful in applying for DNRC planning grants in the prior biennium. 

DNRC will prioritize requests for Technical Assistance from local governments who meet the above criteria. 

If Technical Assistance is approved, DNRC will assign a contracted technical service provider to assist the local government with a Renewable Resource Planning Grant Application. 

Technical Assistance is limited to $3,000 or 20 hours @ $150/hour. Technical service providers are contracted with and paid by DNRC once a Renewable Resource Planning Grant Application is submitted. 

If you have questions, please contact Katherine Certalic kcertalic@mt.gov .

DNRC RRGL Emergency Grant 

Thank you for your interest in the RRGL Emergency Grant program. The legislature has appropriated $300,000 to the Renewable Resource Grant and Loan (RRGL) Program to provide emergency funding for projects that, due to their emergency nature, cannot wait for legislative approval. Grants are available for emergency projects that pose an immediate threat to the beneficial management of a renewable resource and, if delayed, will cause substantial damage or legal liability. All reasonable funding sources must be investigated before an emergency grant will be awarded. Emergency grants are limited to $30,000 per project. Grant assistance is limited to only serious emergencies that meet program requirements. 

Please review the Program Guidelines Here: RRGL-Program-Guidelines-2025-Biennium 

Grantees must enter into a contract with the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC) before funds can be reimbursed. Reimbursement requests must include copies of applicable invoices, proof of payment, and the DNRC Vendor Invoice. Project close-out documents include a Certificate of Compliance.
 

All conservation districts in Montana are eligible for apply for CD grant funding through the Conservation District Account administered by DNRC. The following criteria will be applied in evaluating CD grant funding requests. 

1. CD has a need for funds beyond mill for general operations. 76-15-530, MCA 
2. CD has levied the maximum county mills allowed for the current fiscal year. 76-15-530, MCA
3. A conservation district is not eligible to receive a grant unless it has exhausted its authorized mill levies. 76-15-530 MCA 
4. CD has submitted its Annual Financial Report to the Department of Administration- Local Government Services. 2-7-503, MCA 
5. CD has prepared and submitted a preliminary budget to the county clerk and recorder. 7-6-40, MCA. 
6. A statement of assets including account balances and the district’s plans and timeline for expending.For the most up to date grant guidelines, please visit the CD Resource Documents Site.
    

To inquiry about ideas, and/or project feasibility, contact the CD Specialist for your District who will work with you to develop the proposal including a detailed scope, schedule, and budget.
 

https://dnrc.mt.gov/Conservation/Conservation-Programs/Conservation-Districts/
 

Stephanie Criswell, Steph.Criswell@mt.gov, 406-444-6669
Mary Hendrix, Mary.Hendrix@mt.gov, 406-431-2639
Veronica Grigaltchik, Veronica.Grigaltchik@mt.gov, 406-437-4501
Kasydi Lucas, Kasydi.Lucas2@mt.gov, 406-594-0726
Catey Bauer, Catey.Bauer@mt.gov, 406-465-0948

GENERAL INFORMATION:
          The Montana Legislature provides Montana conservation districts with coal severance tax monies for any purpose that they are authorized to perform pursuant to MCA, Title 76, Chapter 15, Part 4.

The Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC) Conservation Resource Development Division (CARDD) offers this funding through CD Administrative Grants to conservation districts that do not have adequate funds to cover basic operation costs, such as administrative salaries, office supplies, communications, and insurance.  

All conservation districts in Montana are eligible for apply for CD Administrative grant funding. The following criteria will be applied in evaluating CDA funding requests. 

1. CD has a need for funds beyond mill for general operations. 76-15-530, MCA 
2. CD has levied the maximum county mills allowed for the current fiscal year. 76-15-530, MCA
3. CD has exhausted its authorized mill levies. 76-15-530 MCA 
4. CD has submitted its Annual Financial Report to the Department of Administration- Local Government Services. 2-7-503, MCA 
5. CD has prepared and submitted a preliminary budget to the county clerk and recorder. 7-6-4020, MCA. 
6. CD has submitted to the board of county commissioners an estimate in writing of the amount of money to be raised by assessment for the ensuring fiscal year. 76-15-511, MCA
7. A statement of assets including account balances and the district’s plans and timeline for expending.

Review the CD Administrative Grant Guidelines for additional information about this funding opportunity.

Through the CDA application, districts will be able to opt-in for $3,500 in funding for Montana Association of Conservation Districts (MACD) annual dues. The district agrees to supplement these funds with $500 in non-CDA funding. Through association dues, MACD provides statewide programming and services to all districts in Montana.

Districts are also able to use this application to request 310 reimbursements for permits issued in 2024.

APPLICATION DEADLINE: May 31, 2025 by 5:00 pm
For additional information about Conservation District Grant Programs, visit dnrc.mt.gov.

For Additional Information Contact:

Contact your CD Specialist

About VFC GRANT PROGRAM 

The Volunteer Fire Capacity (VFC) Program, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service, makes funding available to rural fire departments. This federal funding is passed through and administered by the Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC). 

The Volunteer Fire Capacity (VFC) Grant Program is authorized by the Cooperative Forestry Assistance Act of 1990, (Farm Bill) and assists rural volunteer fire departments by providing cost-share grants for training, equipping, and organizing. Rural fire departments represent the first line of defense in coping with wildfires and other emergencies in rural areas and rural communities. These departments are charged with the protection of lives, homes, and business investments.

The VFC grant has been an excellent resource for local fire organizations, and we encourage your participation. These grants have certainly benefited all 56 counties within Montana.

Eligible Applicants

A rural fire department which is defined as "an organized, not for profit, fire protection organization that provides service primarily to a community or city with a population of 10,000 or less to a rural area, as defined by the Secretary of Agriculture, whose firefighting personnel is 80 percent or more volunteer, and that is recognized as a fire department by the laws of the State. 16 U.S.C. 2106. 

Eligible Projects

APPROVED PROJECTS

• Wildland Training for Department Personnel
• Wildland Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
• Wildland Equipment and Water Handling
• Radio Communications (P25 Compliant)
• Fire Department Organization and Planning. 
• Formation of a NEW rural or volunteer fire district

UNAPPROVED PROJECTS

• Any single item costing $5,000 or more will not be eligible for grant funding consideration.
• Construction or improvement of fire stations for housing equipment, normal operational expenses and maintenance do not qualify for VFC funds.
• Structural PPE and equipment.
• Boots
• Medical supplies and equipment

Additional Requirements

• National Fire Incident Reporting (NFIRS) compliant by reporting ALL fire occurrences to NFIRS as required by Montana Law (ARM 23.12.402). 
• National Incident Management System (NIMS) compliant.
• Insurance coverage. Provide a current Certificate of Liability Insurance.
• At the time of application for a VFC grant, the applicant must be registered in Systems for Award Management (SAM) and hold an active registered Unique Entity Identifier (UEI). 
• Taxpayer/Federal Identification Number (TIN)/Employer Identification Number (EIN).
• Certification Regarding Debarment, Suspension, Ineligibility and Voluntary Exclusion - Lower Tier Covered Transactions, Form AD-1048.
• Each Grantee must certify that no vendor or contractor debarred or suspended from being able to work under a federal grant, according to the terms of 2 CFR Part 180, has received any money under this grant project by signing the Certification Regarding Debarment, Suspension, Ineligibility and Voluntary Exclusion - Lower Tier Covered Transactions, Form AD-1048. 
• Financial assistance on any project requires a non-federal match for project expenditures. The funding must be matched on a 10 percent basis (90% VFC-10% match). 
• Purchase(s) must be made following receipt of the award. No purchase(s) may be made prior to the date listed on the VFC award will be eligible for cost-share assistance

Funding Information

Financial assistance on any project requires a non-federal match for project expenditures. The funding must be matched on a 10 percent basis (90% VFC-10% match). 

Timeline

• Application Period April 1, 2025 – May 17, 2025
• Application Scoring Early June 2025
• Award & Denial Notifications Sent August - September 2025

Funding

• Funding is conditional upon available allocations to this program.

How to Apply

Applications can be submitted via: 

• Submittable (scroll down to create an account);
• Emailed to DNRC VFC/VFA Grant Program Manager, Rhea Blankenship at rheablankenship@mt.gov;
• Mailed Attention: Rhea Blankenship to 2705 Spurgin Road Missoula MT 59804.

Helpful Links

• Fillable Application (if applying in Submittable, you will upload the completed PDF application)
• 2025-2026 VFC Guide/Manual