Montana is the only states in the nation to offer grants through a noxious weed trust fund administered by the Department of Agriculture. The fund was established in 1985 with a $2.5 million cap. The interest off of this fund the vehicle license fee is what generates grant funding. Recently at the 2007 legislature, HB 269 increased the Trust and capped it at $10 million. The estimated interest off of this fund in 2008 is $409,000 and will be used for direct on the ground local cooperative, educational, and research projects. Grant deadlines are the first of December, with hearings held in March of the following year. For more information, refer to the MDA website: http://agr.state.mt.us/weedpest/weedforms.asp
Tags: MT Legislation