76-22-104. Montana sage grouse oversight team -- rulemaking. The oversight team shall adopt rules to administer the provisions of this part, including:

(1) eligibility and evaluation criteria for grants distributed pursuant to 76-22-110 for projects that maintain, enhance, restore, expand, or benefit sage grouse habitat and populations, including but not limited to requirements for matching funds and in-kind contributions and consideration of the socioeconomic impacts of a proposed project on the local community. The evaluation criteria must give greater priority to proposed projects that:

(a) involve partnerships between public and private entities;

(b) provide matching funds;

(c) use the habitat quantification tool adopted pursuant to subsection (2); and

(d) maximize the amount of credits generated per dollars of funds awarded.

(2) the designation of a habitat quantification tool in consideration of applicable United States fish and wildlife service sage grouse policies, state law, and any rules adopted pursuant to this part;

(3) subject to the provisions of 76-22-105(2), a method to track and maintain the number of credits attributable to projects funded pursuant to this part that are available to a project developer to purchase for compensatory mitigation to offset debits under 76-22-111;

(4) methods of compensatory mitigation available under 76-22-111;

(5) review and monitoring of projects funded pursuant to this part;

(6) criteria for the acceptance or rejection of grants, gifts, transfers, bequests, and donations, including interests in real or personal property; and

(7) guidance on management options for any real property conveyed to the state under this part, including its sale or lease.

History: En. Sec. 5, Ch. 445, L. 2015; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 311, L. 2017.