Contact: Patrick Lonergan, 406-582-2395

Bozeman, MT - Residents in Gallatin County are currently being encouraged to prepare their property for spring flooding. Southwest Montana is rapidly approaching spring runoff and once this occurs the possibility of flooding at any point will be present. Officials recommend property owners prepare for flooding before spring runoff occurs. Once the runoff begins increasing it is often difficult to properly prepare your property and if flooding does occur, it is to late to protect your property.

Gallatin County recommends that residents in areas prone to flooding talk with their insurance agents about flood insurance. If someone is considering flood insurance, now is the time to do it and have it take effect in time. Flood insurance has a 30 day waiting period after purchasing a policy before your policy becomes active. So don't wait until it floods to get insurance, it is too late.

Local officials also recommend preparing waterways around your property so they can accomodate as much water as possible. We recommend clearing ditches and culverts of any debris that may have formed over the winter. If larger projects are warranted on waterways, a permit will be required so start that process soon.

Residents that routinely see their property flooded should identify the materials they will need, such as sandbags, to properly protect themselves and stockpile it ahead of time. Once flooding occurs it is often difficult to procure the proper supplies fast enough, so we recommend preparing ahead of time.

Additional information on flooding is available at: http://www.readygallatin.com/flooding.php.

Bozeman, MT - Open burning in the State of Montana begins March 1^st.  Starting on the 1^st residents of Gallatin County will be able to activate the required $15 Gallatin County Burn Permit to conduct burning.  Permits can be purchased online at http://burnpermits.mt.gov/ or in person at:

 

-Gallatin County Treasurer?s Office, 311 West Main-Room 103 in Bozeman

-Bozeman Fire Station 1, 34 North Rouse in Bozeman

-Central Valley Fire District Station 1, 205 East Main in Belgrade

-Manhattan Fire Department, 222 Main in Manhattan

-Three Forks Public Library, 607 North Main in Three Forks

-Hebgen Basin Fire District Station 1, 400 Yellowstone in West Yellowstone

 

After permits are purchased, or renewed, the permit is good until November 30, 2012 when burn season closes.  These permits need to be activated each day a permit holder burns either online at http://burnpermits.mt.gov/, or by automated telephone at 1-877-306-2876.

 

Citizens can obtain additional information on burning and current burn locations in Gallatin County at http://burnpermits.mt.gov/.

 

 

Loading