. A planning guide for protecting Montana's wetlands and riparian areas . Wetlands; Wetland management; Riparian areas; Riparian areas. How it Works: County and city governments may adopt regulations to separate land uses into districts within their juris- dictions. With county and municipal zoning, a growth policy plan must be adopted for the entire jurisdiction before any zoning regulations may be created. Like- wise, adopted zoning regulations must comply with the growth policy plan. In municipalities, a zoning commission initiates drafting of a city or town zoning ordinances. In counties,
. A planning guide for protecting Montana's wetlands and riparian areas . Wetlands; Wetland management; Riparian areas; Riparian areas. How it Works: County and city governments may adopt regulations to separate land uses into districts within their juris- dictions. With county and municipal zoning, a growth policy plan must be adopted for the entire jurisdiction before any zoning regulations may be created. Like- wise, adopted zoning regulations must comply with the growth policy plan. In municipalities, a zoning commission initiates drafting of a city or town zoning ordinances. In counties, the county planning board initiates county zoning. The zoning commission or county planning board recommends proposed zoning regulations to the elected governing body. After pub- lic hearings, the county commission or city council may adopt, modify, or reject the recommended regu- lations. County or municipal zoning can protect wetlands and riparian areas through zoning by prohibiting develop- ment in identified areas; allowing only low-impact uses in identified areas; establishing setbacks for de- velopment adjacent to these areas; requiring that any development in or near one of these areas be de- signed to prevent or minimize impacts; and/or re- quiring that impacts to these areas be mitigated. Strengths: Because adopting zoning regulations require exten- sive public hearings, this tool can foster public edu- cation opportunities and citizen support for protect- ing wetlands and riparian areas. A community can clearly buttress the values and goals contained in their plan through zoning regulations. In this way, a growth policy plan that specifically emphasizes protection of open space, wetlands, streams, or rivers, paves the way for zoning regulations that will support these community values. Weaknesses: Zoning is not commonly used in Montana outside of incorporated areas. Where it is used, zoning rarely has been used to specifically protect wetlands or ri- parian areas. Add
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