310 Permitting Process: What you should expect when pursuing a 310 permit and working with the conservation district.

At High Plains Conservation District, we do our best to help you secure a 310 permit as soon as possible. The district Board of Supervisors reviews 310 permit applications at their board meeting each month. Permit approvals can be very fast or lengthy, depending on the project and the merit of the application.

The process below is meant to give you an idea of necessary tasks to receive a 310 Permit. Take the 310 Permit Process, and any other required permit processes, into account when planning the timeline of your project.

310 PROCESS STEP-BY-STEP

Step 1: Submit a Joint Application

To start the 310 process, you must submit a Joint Application Form to the district. The district cannot take action on any 310 permits without having received a complete application from from the applicant.

The Joint Application Form can be completed by a landowner, project manager, or contractor. It should be completed by the person with the most knowledge of the project or the capacity to communicate with the district regularly during the 310 process.

High Plains Conservation Staff are available and willing to help you complete an application form if needed.

Step 2: The district will conduct a site inspection of the proposed project

Once an application is received, High Plains CD staff will contact you confirming that they received it. If you do not receive a confirmation email, please reach out to the district ASAP to ensure we have your application. We will contact you to schedule an on-site inspection of your proposed project area. The inspection team can consist of district staff, FWP local fisheries biologist, district board members, and agency personnel for other required permits if applicable. Site inspections usually take between 30 minutes to 1 hour, depending on the complexity of the project.

Whoever is most knowledgeable about the project and the site, or whoever will be completing the work should be the person on site with us. Having somebody available at the site to answer questions and discuss reasonable alternatives to the proposed work is important for relaying accurate information to the board so they can make an informed decision.

Inspections generally take place the first week of each month depending on all parties availability.

Step 3: The HPCD Board will review your application at their monthly board meeting

Following the site inspection, the Board of Supervisors will review your application for a 310 permit at their monthly board meeting. Board meetings are open to the public, and we usually review 310 applications at 1 PM. You are encouraged to attend the meeting and answer questions about your project.

The board will review information provided in the application form, photos from the site inspection, and comments or observations made by the inspection team at the site. The board may motion to take the following actions on 310 Permit applications:

  • Approve as submitted - approval of the project as described by the applicant.

  • Approved with modification(s) - approval of the project with modifications to the scope of work. Modifications are meant to provide additional project requirements to the applicant to ensure that 310 Law is followed.

  • Denied - denial of the permit application.

  • Not a project - a motion to indicate that 310 Law does not apply to the proposed project therefore the district will not take jurisdiction over the permitting for the project. Permit waivers are available at the request of the applicant.

  • Tabled - the board can make a motion to table a permit application if they decide there is a need for more information or further review. Tabled applications must be reviewed by the board at a later date. HPCD staff will work with the applicant to provide the board with the necessary application materials for review at a later date.

Step 4: Permit Approval and Permit Package Delivery

If the board approves your permit application, district staff will notify you of their decision. A permit package will be sent to you either through the mail or electronically

YOUR PERMIT IS NOT VALID UNLESS YOU SIGN AND RETURN OUR COPY OF THE SUPERVISOR DECISION FORM! Failure to return the signed copy within 15 days may result in a void 310 permit. Permit holders that receive their permit package in the mail will be provided a return envelope.

Step 5: Project Completion Form

Upon receiving a permit package, you will find a Project Completion Form enclosed. Permit holders are required to submit the project completion form and post-project photos upon completion of work. A follow up site inspection may take place at the discretion of district staff or the Board of Supervisors.