Description
Any person may apply for a loan for rangeland improvements on land that will be constructed, developed, and operated in Montana. If the person is a resident of Montana, is engaged in farming or ranching, and possesses the necessary expertise to make the loan practical.
Elligibility
Example projects include:
Stock water development (tanks)
Cross fencing
Establishment of grazing methods/programs
Reseeding
Mechanical restoration
Weed management
And anything that is considered a range improvement
Available Funding
Current interest rate = 3.5%
Maximum loan amount = $100,000
Repayment is scheduled for a maximum of ten years with annual installments
Length of Contracts
10 year maximum
Cost-share requirements?
NA
Required Documentation (prove ownership/lease arrangements)
1) Submit completed Part 1-Application Summary & Conservation Plan to local Conservation District (CD): • Application needs to be submitted to CD 2 weeks prior to the CD’s monthly board meeting. • The application must be on the Board agenda. 2) Conservation District Board of Supervisors will review Part 1 and approve or reject the plan based on project feasibility at the next scheduled meeting after Part 1 submission. • The CD must notify the applicant within 5 business days of the Board’s decision. • If approved, Part 1- Application Summary & Conservation Plan will be sent to DNRC by the CD. 3) Once the applicant has received notice of approval for Part 1, the applicant is required to: • Email or mail Part 2- Environmental Checklist to DNRC’s MEPA Coordinator (see pg. #11 for details). • The applicant is then required to mail Part 3- Confidential Financial Narrative, a current financial statement, and 2 years of cash flow information to the DNRC within 5 business days after notice of approval of Part 1 from the CD. 4) Upon receiving the full application, (Parts 1-3) DNRC will forward all application materials to the Rangeland Resources Committee (RRC) for review. • After the RRC reviews and provides their recommendation of approval, the application is then sent to the Director of DNRC for final approval. 5) After Director approval DNRC will: • Order Title Insurance on the real estate to be taken as security. • Prepare all loan documents for signing. • Assure proper filing of all security documents. • Funds will be advanced after all loan documents are signed and filed (loan closing).
Contact
Bill Herbolich bherbolich@mt.gov (406) 444-6668