MT SB123

Division of Disaster and Emergency Services gains authority to coordinate local, state, and federal permitting for stream, wetland, and floodplain projects during governor-proclaimed emergencies or disasters

Covered permits include conservation district stream work approvals, Fish Wildlife & Parks streambed construction notices, floodplain permits, Army Corps of Engineers permits, DEQ water quality certifications, and navigable riverbed authorizations

Coordination activities include requiring agency personnel attendance at onsite meetings, tracking permit progress for public communication, developing agency benchmarks, and sharing engineering studies to prevent duplicative efforts

State agencies (DEQ, DNRC, FWP, conservation districts) must submit to the division's coordination authority during declared emergencies, though the division cannot compel federal agencies to act

Amends sections 75-5-318, 75-5-402, 75-7-113, and 87-5-502 MCA to add emergency coordination requirements to existing permit procedures