Montana Title 77. State Lands § 77-5-301. Findings and purpose

(a) acts as an effective sediment filter to maintain water quality;

(b) provides shade to regulate stream temperature;

(c) supports diverse and productive aquatic and terrestrial riparian habitats;

(d) protects the stream channel and banks;

(e) provides large, woody debris that is eventually recruited into a stream to maintain riffles, pools, and other elements of channel structure; and

(f) promotes flood plain stability.

(a) to protect the legitimate public interest in the quality and quantity of forest waters;

(b) to provide for standards, oversight, rehabilitation, and penalties to ensure that forest practices are conducted in a manner that conserves the integrity of Montana's streamside zones;

(c) to provide guidelines for the management of wildlife habitat in streamside zones; and

(d) to allow operators necessary flexibility to use practices appropriate to site-specific conditions in the streamside management zone.