| Agencyname: | Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation |
| Abbreviation: | DNRC |
| Formedyear: | December 20, 1971 |
| Preceding1: | Montana Council on Natural Resources and Development |
| Preceding2: | Montana Oil and Gas Conservation Commission |
| Preceding3: | Montana State Board of Forestry |
| Preceding4: | Montana State Conservation Commission |
| Preceding5: | Montana State Forester |
| Preceding6: | Montana Water Resources Board |
| Employees: | 523.8 FTEs (2016) |
| Budget: | $240.6 million (2016) |
| Country: | United States |
| Divtype: | State |
| Divname: | Montana |
| Sizearea: | 147165sqmi |
| Sizepopulation: | 1,042,520 (2016) |
| Legaljuris: | State of Montana |
| Headquarters: | 1539 Eleventh Avenue, Helena, Montana |
| Chief1name: | Greg Gianforte |
| Chief1position: | Governor of Montana |
| Chief2name: | Amanda Kaster |
| Chief2position: | Director |
| Vehicles1: | Various cars, trucks, and off-road vehicles |
| Boats1: | Various patrol and utility craft |
| Aircraft1: | Light observation aircraft and helicopters |
| Website: | http://dnrc.mt.gov |
The Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC) is a government agency in the executive branch state of Montana in the United States with responsibility for ensuring sustainable development of the state's land, mineral, natural gas, oil, timber, water, and other resources.
Almost two-thirds of Montana voters approved of Amendment 2, the Montana Executive Department Allocation Amendment, on November 3, 1970. This amendment required that there be no more than 20 state executive or administrative offices, agencies, boards, bureaus, or commissions. The Montana Legislature passed enabling legislation, the Executive Reorganization Act, in 1971, which gave Governor Forrest H. Anderson the legal authority to reorganize state government. On December 20, 1971, Governor Anderson used this authority to create, by executive order, the Department of Natural Resources and Conservation. The agency superseded the Montana Council on Natural Resources and Development, Montana Oil and Gas Conservation Commission, Montana State Board of Forestry, Montana State Conservation Commission, Montana State Forester, and Montana Water Resources Board.
Amanda Kaster was appointed the current Director of Montana DNRC by Governor Greg Gianforte.[1]
DNRC has six divisions:
In addition to its divisions, nine boards and commissions are attached to the department for administrative purposes only: Board of Land Commissioners, Board of Oil and Gas Conservation, Board of Water Well Contractors, Drought Advisory Committee, Flathead Basin Commission, Montana Grass Conservation Commission, Rangeland Resources Committee, Reserved Water Rights Compact Commission, and the Resource Conservation Advisory Council.
The DNRC had a total budget of $240.6 million in 2016. Trust lands generated 48 percent of its budget. Revenue operations (fees, services, etc.) generated another 21 percent of all revenues, with general state revenues adding 12 percent and interest on debt another 10 percent.
The DNRC had 523.8 full-time equivalent employees in 2016.