77-5-212. Commercial permits for timber sale. (1) Permits for quantities of 500,000 board feet or less may be issued to citizens of the state for commercial purposes, at commercial rates, without advertising, and under restrictions and rules that the board may approve for the sale of timber.

(2) To apply for a permit under this section, an individual shall:

(a) complete a permit application on a form provided by the department and submit the completed application to the department office that is responsible for management of the state land where the proposed sale is located;

(b) using ribbon, mark the area of the proposed sale; and

(c) designate on a U.S. geological survey map or other approved map the area proposed for sale and existing roads that would be used to remove timber from the site.

(3) For sales of less than 30,000 board feet, an individual shall provide proof of vehicle liability insurance and $1 million in commercial general liability insurance, naming the state of Montana as additionally insured, and shall provide a performance bond in an amount not to exceed $1,000.

(4) For sales of 30,000 board feet or more, an individual shall provide proof of vehicle liability insurance and $1 million in commercial general liability insurance, naming the state of Montana as additionally insured, and shall provide a performance bond in accordance with 77-5-202.

(5) Unless the timber proposed for sale is already sold or is part of another proposed sale being reviewed by the department, the department shall review completed permit applications within 30 days of the application's submittal. If the proposed sale complies with existing state and federal laws and regulations, the department shall perform an appraisal within 60 days of the application's submittal.

(6) The department shall issue a permit within 5 working days of the date that the applicant agrees to the terms of the proposed sale, unless the parties mutually agree upon a time extension.

(7) Repeated permits of this kind may not be issued to avoid advertising and the consequent competition secured by advertising.

(8) Permit applications for timber sales in cases of emergency due to fire, insect, fungus, parasite, or blowdown, and no other, are categorical exclusions as defined by rule, and the department is not required to comply with the provisions of 75-1-201(1) in reviewing those applications.

(9) Proposed timber sales under subsection (8) do not take precedence over the timely sale and harvest of green timber pursuant to 77-5-207.

(10) Permit applications made pursuant to this section may be subject to further environmental review, and the number of permits may be limited if the department determines that sales may have a cumulative effect on geographic area.