Natural Resource Information System Statutes
2-15-1514. STATE LIBRARY COMMISSION -- NATURAL RESOURCE DATA SYSTEM ADVISORY COMMITTEE.
(1)(a) There is a state library commission which is created in Title
22, chapter 1. (b) The composition, method of appointment, terms of office,
compensation, reimbursement, and qualifications of commission members remain
as prescribed by law. (2)(a) There is a natural resource data system advisory
committee consisting of an employee of the environmental quality council,
of the state library, and of each principal data source agency, appointed
by the head of the respective state agency, and by the board of regents
of higher education for the Montana university system. (b) The state library
shall provide staff support to the committee, within the limits of the
library's available resources.
[Natural Resource Information System] General
90-15-101. PURPOSE.
It is the purpose of this chapter to establish a planning framework for
the development of a natural resource information system, to implement
the system, and to establish an ongoing Montana natural heritage program.
90-15-102. DEFINITIONS.
As used in this chapter, the following definitions apply: (1) "Committee"
means the natural resource data system advisory committee created by 2-15-1514.
(2) "Library" means the state library provided for in 22-1- 201. (3) "Natural
heritage program" means a program of information acquisition, storage,
and retrieval for data relating to the flora, fauna, and biological community
types of Montana. (4) "Principal data source agencies" means any of the
following state agencies: the department of natural resources and conservation;
the department of fish, wildlife, and parks; the department of environmental
quality; the department of agriculture; the department of transportation;
the state historical society; and the Montana university system.
90-15-103. FUNDING.
The library and each principal data source agency may apply for and may
receive funding from private and public sources for the purposes of this
chapter.
[Natural Resource Information System] Advisory Committee
90-15-201. DUTIES OF COMMITTEE.
The committee shall examine the following matters and make recommendations
to the library concerning: (1) criteria for the categories and types of
data to be collected for a natural resource information system; (2) criteria
for the format of data collection; (3) identification of existing sources
of relevant data in the public sector; (4) identification of data acquisition,
storage, and retrieval methodologies that are economical and efficient,
that minimize or eliminate the duplication of data bases, and that utilize
computer networking; (5) probable costs to agencies furnishing required
data and probable costs of managing the data; (6) probable benefits to
be realized by the establishment of a natural resource information system;
(7) operation of the Montana natural heritage program; and (8) other items
the committee considers of importance to the establishment of a natural
resource information system.
90-15-202. COMMITTEE STAFF.
The library shall provide staff support to the committee, within the limits
of the library's available resources.
90-15-203. EXPENSES OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS -- MEETINGS.
(1) Committee members, while engaged in committee business, are entitled
to be reimbursed for travel expenses as provided for in 2-18-501 through
2-18-503. These expenses shall be borne by the agency employing the member.
Each member serves at the pleasure of the respective appointing authority.
(2) The committee shall establish its own format for the conduct of meetings.
Information System
90-15-301. ESTABLISHMENT OF INFORMATION SYSTEM.
(1) The library, in consultation with the committee, shall establish a
planning framework for the implementation of a natural resource information
system and shall begin implementation of the plan. This system is to be
a comprehensive program for the acquisition, storage, and retrieval of
existing data relating to the natural resources of Montana. (2) The library
shall give attention to the factors listed in 90-15-201 and shall prepare
any legislation necessary to implement the system. (3) It is not intended
that the system shall require fieldwork to produce data. The system is
intended to facilitate the management of data collected by state agencies
in the normal course of their operations.
90-15-302. NATURAL HERITAGE PROGRAM.
(1) There is a Montana natural heritage program to be operated by the library.
In order to establish the program, the library may contract with an independent
contractor or may employ necessary staff. In order to minimize costs, the
library or other state agencies may make available state resources and
facilities to an independent contractor as part of a contract for services.
(2) The Montana natural heritage program shall be designed to be compatible
with similar programs in other states. This program is to be an initial
step in the formulation of the comprehensive natural resource information
system referred to in 90-15-301 and is to be considered a part of the system.
90-15-303. INTERAGENCY COOPERATION.
(1) State agencies shall cooperate with the library and the committee in
the planning of the natural resource information system. (2) Within the
limits of available resources, state agencies shall provide data requested
by the library for purposes of the natural resource information system
and the Montana natural heritage program. If an agency does not possess
requested data or is unable to locate requested data, the agency shall
inform the library. It is not necessary for an agency to conduct fieldwork
or literature searches to obtain requested data.
90-15-304. AVAILABILITY OF INFORMATION.
(1) Except as provided in subsection (3), the library shall make information
from the natural resource information system available to local, state,
and federal agencies and to the general public. (2) The library may establish
a fee system for information requests in order to cover the costs of providing
requested information. (3) If necessary, the library shall establish procedures
to protect confidential information in the possession of state agencies.
90-15-305. WATER INFORMATION SYSTEM.
(1) There is a Montana water information system, to be operated within
the natural resource information system referred to in 90-15-301 and that
is to be considered a part of the system. (2) The Montana water
information system shall make available and readily accessible, in a usable
format, to state agencies and other interested persons, information on
the state's water resources, out-of-state water resources that affect the
state, existing and potential uses, and the existing and potential demand.
Library Records Confidentiality Act
22-1-1103. NONDISCLOSURE OF LIBRARY RECORDS.
- (1) No person may release or disclose a library record or portion of a library record to any person except in response to:
- (a) a written request of the person identified in that record, according to procedures and forms giving written consent as determined by the library; or
- (b) an order issued by a court of competent jurisdiction, upon a finding that the disclosure of such record is necessary because the merits of public disclosure clearly exceed the demand for individual privacy.
- (2) A library is not prevented from publishing or making available to the public reasonable statistical reports regarding library registration and book circulation if those reports are presented so that no individual is identified therein.
- (3) Library records may be disclosed to the extent necessary to return overdue or stolen materials or collect fines.
