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Glossary
8(g)
The 8(g) zone is the offshore region within three miles of a state shoreline. A portion (27%) of revenue from production in the 8(g) zone is distributed to the respective states that border the zone. The 8(g) zone is named for the section within the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act that designates it.
Abandoned mine land fee
A fee for current day coal production that funds reclamation of mines abandoned before 1977.
Accounting year
This data is based on transactions that were reported to and accepted into ONRR’s financial system in a given a year. Since companies are allowed to adjust and correct data up to seven years after a transaction takes place, accounting year data can include corrections for sales that took place in previous years. This data is most useful when analyzing dollars ONRR collected and disbursed in a given year.
Acquired lands
Acquired lands are public lands that were obtained by the federal government through purchase, condemnation, gift, or exchange.
Acquisition fee
A fee for securing an uncompetitive lease in place of a bonus.
Annual fee
A yearly maintenance fee for maintaining a claim.
APD
Application for permit to drill
Appropriation
There are two main congressional actions that result in federal spending: authorization and appropriation. A fund or recipient may be authorized to receive money during the federal budget process, but Congress must still designate a specific amount to be distributed to the fund or recipient. This process is called “appropriation”.
Authorization
An act of Congress to obligate funding for a program or agency. An authorization may be effective for one year, a fixed number of years, or an indefinite period. An authorization may be for a definite amount of money or for 'such sums as may be necessary.' The formal federal spending process consists of two sequential steps: authorization and then appropriation.
Barrel
In the U.S., an oil barrel is defined as 42 US gallons, and abbreviated as bbl.
bbl
Abbreviation for a unit of measurement of oil. One bbl, or oil barrel, is defined as 42 US gallons.
Biomass
Organic nonfossil matter used as fuel. Sources of biomass include wood, wood waste products, biofuel, and many plant-based materials.
BLM
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is part of the U.S. Department of the Interior, and manages exploration, development, and production of natural resources on federal lands.
BOEM
The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) is part of the U.S. Department of the Interior, and is responsible for managing the development of energy and mineral resources on the U.S. Outer Continental Shelf.
Bonus
The amount the highest bidder paid for a natural resource lease.
BSEE
The Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) is part of the U.S. Department of the Interior, and is charged with promoting safety, protecting the environment, and conserving resources offshore through regulatory oversight and enforcement.
Calendar year (CY)
The calendar year runs from January 1 through December 31. The two annual time periods for reporting data are calendar year and fiscal year.
Claim-staking fee
A fee that covers the government’s administrative costs in the claim-staking process for mining on federal lands.
Coastal political subdivision
A state's political subdivision, such as a county, parish, borough, or city. The political subdivision must be within the coastal zone as defined in the Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972.
Civil society
People and organizations not associated with industry or government, such as trade unions, issue-based coalitions, faith-based organizations, indigenous-peoples movements, the media, think tanks, and foundations.
Crude oil
Oil is that is not treated or refined.
Direct use
Geothermal energy (hot water near the surface of the earth) can be used directly for heating buildings, drying crops, heating water, and other industrial processes.
Disbursement
After collecting revenue from natural resource extraction, the Office of Natural Resources Revenue (ONRR) distributes that money to different agencies, funds, and local governments for public use. This process is called “disbursement.”
Dry natural gas
Natural gas that remains after removing the liquefiable hydrocarbon portion from the gas stream (i.e., gas after lease, field, or plant separation) and after removing any quantities of nonhydrocarbon gases that render the gas unmarketable.
DOI
The U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) is a Cabinet-level agency responsible for managing America’s natural and cultural resources.
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS)
A document intended to provide decision makers and the public with information about the potential impacts of major federal actions and alternatives to them. Federal agencies prepare an EIS if a proposed federal action is determined to significantly affect the quality of the human environment, as required by the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).
EITI Standard
The Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative Standard is an international standard for openness around the management of revenue from natural resources. Governments disclose how much they receive from extractive companies operating in their country and these companies disclose how much they pay. Governments sign up to implement the EITI Standard and must meet seven requirements. In 2017, the U.S. withdrew from EITI as an Implementing Country, but remains committed to institutionalizing the EITI principles of transparency and accountability.
Extractive industry
Oil, gas, and mining industries that extract natural resources.
Fair market value
The estimated price for a natural resource lease, based on the government’s analysis and the geological resources on the lands or waters.
Federal land
Lands and waters owned by the federal government, including public domain lands, acquired lands, and the Outer Continental Shelf.
Fiscal year (FY)
The federal government’s fiscal year runs from October 1 through September 30. The two annual time periods for reporting data are calendar year and fiscal year.
Fossil fuel
An energy source formed in the Earth’s crust from decayed organic material. Common fossil fuels include oil, gas, and coal.
Fractionation
The division of ownership among multiple individuals.
GOMESA
The Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act (GOMESA) of 2006 directs a portion of revenue from gulf oil and gas royalties to the states of Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas. The act also directs a portion of gulf revenue be disbursed to the Land and Water Conservation Fund.
Gross domestic product (GDP)
A measure of the total value of goods and services produced in a specific area. The Bureau of Economic Analysis measures GDP by adding up the “real value added” for each industry that contributes to the U.S. economy.
Hydraulic fracturing
A well development process that involves injecting water under high pressure into a bedrock formation through the well, to increase the size and extent of existing bedrock fractures.
IMDA
The Indian Mineral Development Act of 1982, which increased Indian self-governance concerning extraction.
Independent Administrator (IA)
The EITI International Board requires participating countries to appoint an Independent Administrator to help apply the international standards. The USEITI Independent Administrator is Deloitte & Touche LLP.
Indian lands
Lands owned by Native Americans, including tribal lands held in trust by the federal government for a tribe’s use, Indian allotments held in trust by the federal government for individual use, and lands held by Alaska Native corporations.
Kilowatt hour (kWh)
A measure of electrical energy equivalent to a power consumption of 1,000 watts for 1 hour; abbreviated as kWh.
kWh
Abbreviation for “kilowatt hour,” a measure of electrical energy equivalent to a power consumption of 1,000 watts for 1 hour.
Land and Water Conservation Fund
Provides matching grants to states and local governments to buy and develop public outdoor recreation areas across the 50 states.
Lease
A contract that allows a company to be the exclusive entity that can apply to explore for and extract natural resources within a specific tract of federal lands or waters.
Lease condensate
Light liquid hydrocarbons recovered from oil and natural gas wells during production.
Locatable minerals
Locatable minerals are minerals that may be “located” and obtained by filing a mining claim. Locatable minerals include gold, silver, copper, lead, and many other metallic and nonmetallic minerals.
long ton
A long ton (also known as “imperial ton” or “displacement ton”) is 2,240 pounds, compared to a conventional ton (or “short ton”), which is 2,000 pounds.
Margin of variance
The percentage difference that the USEITI Multi-Stakeholder Group defined as significant for each revenue type as part of the reconciliation process.
Material variance
A discrepancy between government-reported and company-reported revenue payments that is considered significant by the Independent Administrator. Margins of variance vary by revenue type, and were approved by the Multi-Stakeholder Group as part of the USEITI process.
mcf
1000 cubic feet, a unit of measure for natural gas.
Megawatt Capacity (MC) fee
A revenue payment for the calculated value of electricity generated on federal lands.
Megawatt hours
One megawatt is equivalent to one million watts. One megawatt hour (abbreviated as Mwh) is equivalent to 1,000 Kilowatt hours.
Metric ton
One metric ton is equal to 2240 pounds. To convert metric tons to tons, multiply by 1.1023. To convert tons to metric tons, multiply by 0.9072.
Millage tax
A millage tax is a property tax based on the assessed value of a property. Millage tax rates are quantified in terms of mills: One mill is worth 1/1000 of a dollar, or $0.001.
Mill levy
A mill levy is calculated by determining how much revenue each taxing jurisdiction will need for the upcoming year, then dividing that projection by the total value of the property within the area.
Mill rate
A mill rate is the amount of tax payable per dollar on the assessed value of a property. Each mill is worth one-tenth of a cent, or $0.001.
Mineral acres
Sometimes the land’s surface owner is different from the owner of the minerals in the ground below. For instance, a state might retain mineral rights when it sells or swaps land.
Mineral resource potential
According to the U.S. Geological Survey, mineral resource potential is the likelihood for the occurrence of undiscovered mineral resources in a defined area.
Multi-Stakeholder Group (MSG)
A cross-sector body comprised of members and alternates from government, industry, and civil society organizations commissioned by the Secretary of the Interior to guide and monitor EITI implementation.
Natural gas liquids (NGL)
Natural gas liquids, such as ethane, propane, and butane, are byproducts of wet natural gas. These liquid hydrocarbons are separated from the gas stream close to the well or at a processing plant.
North American Industry Classification System (NAICS)
The standard used by federal agencies in classifying business establishments for the purpose of collecting, analyzing, and publishing statistical data related to the U.S. economy.
ONRR
The Office of Natural Resources Revenue (ONRR) is part of the U.S. Department of the Interior, and is responsible for collecting, disbursing, and verifying federal and Indian energy and other natural resource revenue.
Operating fee
A fee for a percentage of the anticipated value of wind energy produced on federal waters.
Outer Continental Shelf
The part of the continental shelf under federal jurisdiction, seaward of the line that marks state ownership, often three miles off a state’s coastline.
OSMRE
The Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSMRE) is part of the U.S. Department of the Interior, and is responsible for regulating surface coal mining in the United States, as well as funding the restoration of abandoned coal mines.
OST
The Office of the Special Trustee for American Indians (OST) is part of the Department of the Interior and is responsible for stewardship of assets held in trust on behalf of American Indians.
Paying quantities
Quantities of oil or gas that are sufficient to yield a profit to the lease holder over operating expenses, even though the drilling costs or equipping costs are never recovered, and even if the undertaking as a whole may result in a loss to the lease holder.
Petroleum products
Products come from processing crude oil (including lease condensate), natural gas, and other hydrocarbon compounds. These include unfinished oils, liquefied petroleum gases, pentanes plus, aviation gasoline, motor gasoline, naphtha-type jet fuel, kerosene-type jet fuel, kerosene, distillate fuel oil, residual fuel oil, petrochemical feedstocks, special naphthas, lubricants, waxes, petroleum coke, asphalt, road oil, still gas, and miscellaneous products.
Play
A group of oil and gas fields in the same region formed by the same geological processes.
Private lands
Lands owned by citizens or corporations.
Production
We use the term “production” as a catch-all term for mining, drilling, energy generation, and other forms of natural resource extraction. There is no distinction between “extraction” and “production” in ONRR or EIA datasets.
Proved reserves
Quantities of natural resources that, by analysis of geological and engineering data, can be estimated with reasonable certainty to be commercially recoverable from known reservoirs and under current economic conditions, operating methods, and government regulations.
Public domain lands
Public domain lands are lands that have belonged to the federal government since they were obtained from the 13 original colonies, from Native American tribes, or through purchases from other countries, and have not been dedicated to a specific use.
Reclamation
The process of restoring the surface environment to acceptable pre-existing conditions, including surface contouring, equipment removal, well plugging, and revegetation.
Rent
An annual payment for leasing lands or waters before production starts.
Renewable energy
Energy resources that are virtually inexhaustible in duration but limited in the amount of energy that is available per unit of time. These include biomass, hydropower, geothermal, solar, wind, ocean thermal, wave action, and tidal action energy.
Resource advisory council (RAC)
A group of 12 to 15 members with diverse interests in local communities, such as ranchers, environmental groups, tribes, state and local government officials, academics, and other public land users.
Royalty
A payment for extracted natural resources, determined by a percentage of the resources’ production value.
Standard Occupation Classification
A system used by federal statistical agencies to classify workers into occupational categories for the purpose of collecting, calculating, or disseminating data.
State or local lands
Lands owned by state or local governments.
Split estate
A land parcel that has surface rights and subsurface rights (such as the rights to develop minerals) owned by different parties.
Subsurface rights
A lease holder’s right to use as much of the land beneath the surface as necessary to operate under the lease.
Subsurface mining
Underground mining, which has different and more labor intensive techniques than surface mining.
Surface rights
A leaseholder’s right to use as much of the surface of the land as necessary to operate under the lease.
Tax expenditures
Revenue lossess attributed to provisions of federal tax laws that allow a special exclusion, exemption, or deduction from gross income, or which provide a special credit, a preferential rate of tax, or a deferral of tax liability.
Tickets/pounds
Some minerals, such as quartz crystal, are sold in relatively small quantities in gift shops and tourist attractions. In some cases, tourists can buy admission tickets to dig for their own minerals. For those transactions, the Office of Natural Resources Revenue may collect royalties on the admission tickets, not on the weight of minerals collected. Furthermore, some minerals are sold by quality, not by weight. The unit “tickets/pounds” shows quantities measured in both tickets sold and weight sold, combined.
Ton
In the U.S., one ton is 2,000 pounds. In some countries this is referred to as a short ton.
Trust land
Land for which the federal government holds title to the land but the beneficial interest remains with a Native American individual or tribe.
Unorganized land
In Alaska, over half of land is not contained in any of its 19 organized boroughs. This land (collectively called the Unorganized Borough) is divided into 10 census areas for statistical purposes.
Variance floor
During the reconciliation process, only variances between reported numbers that exceed a minimum dollar amount are investigated by the Independent Administrator.
Wet gas
Natural gas that hasn’t been treated to remove liquid hydrocarbons or other nonhydrocarbons that make the gas unmarketable.
Withheld
We refer to data as “withheld” when publishing that data could violate federal laws and regulations. Most commonly, we withhold data if it can be used to personally identify individuals, or if the data is protected by the Trade Secrets Act. In the latter case, data is often withheld when there is only one company producing a specific commodity within a specific region. We withhold all location data for Native American production, revenue, and disbursements.
Federal land represents 29.0% of all land in Montana.
3 energy or mineral commodities were produced on federal land in Montana in calendar year 2018.
Production on federal land in Montana resulted in $58,823,472 in calendar year 2019 revenue.
Revenue from federal land resulted in $29,991,520 disbursed from the federal government to Montana in fiscal year 2019.
The state of Montana chose to participate in an extended reporting process, so this page includes additional state revenue and disbursements data, as well as contextual information about state governance of natural resources.
13,140,086 tons of coal were produced on federal land in Montana in 2018.There is no data about production of coal in 2018.
County production
County production of coal in 2018 (tons)There is no county-level data for Montana in 2018.County-level data for 2018 is withheld.
County
tons of coal
Big Horn County
13,140,086
13,140,086
Data about coal extraction on federal land in Big Horn County in 2018 is withheld.13,140,086 tons of coal were produced in Big Horn County in 2018.
Gas
10,707,001 mcf of gas were produced on federal land in Montana in 2018.There is no data about production of gas in 2018.
County production
County production of gas in 2018 (mcf)There is no county-level data for Montana in 2018.County-level data for 2018 is withheld.
County
mcf of gas
Big Horn County
14,435
14,435
Data about gas extraction on federal land in Big Horn County in 2018 is withheld.14,435 mcf of gas were produced in Big Horn County in 2018.
Blaine County
834,115
834,115
Data about gas extraction on federal land in Blaine County in 2018 is withheld.834,115 mcf of gas were produced in Blaine County in 2018.
Carbon County
1,242,048
1,242,048
Data about gas extraction on federal land in Carbon County in 2018 is withheld.1,242,048 mcf of gas were produced in Carbon County in 2018.
Chouteau County
86,775
86,775
Data about gas extraction on federal land in Chouteau County in 2018 is withheld.86,775 mcf of gas were produced in Chouteau County in 2018.
Custer County
12,339
12,339
Data about gas extraction on federal land in Custer County in 2018 is withheld.12,339 mcf of gas were produced in Custer County in 2018.
Dawson County
64,505
64,505
Data about gas extraction on federal land in Dawson County in 2018 is withheld.64,505 mcf of gas were produced in Dawson County in 2018.
Fallon County
2,322,159
2,322,159
Data about gas extraction on federal land in Fallon County in 2018 is withheld.2,322,159 mcf of gas were produced in Fallon County in 2018.
Fergus County
7,388
7,388
Data about gas extraction on federal land in Fergus County in 2018 is withheld.7,388 mcf of gas were produced in Fergus County in 2018.
Glacier County
12,734
12,734
Data about gas extraction on federal land in Glacier County in 2018 is withheld.12,734 mcf of gas were produced in Glacier County in 2018.
Hill County
105,433
105,433
Data about gas extraction on federal land in Hill County in 2018 is withheld.105,433 mcf of gas were produced in Hill County in 2018.
Liberty County
93,904
93,904
Data about gas extraction on federal land in Liberty County in 2018 is withheld.93,904 mcf of gas were produced in Liberty County in 2018.
Phillips County
4,370,737
4,370,737
Data about gas extraction on federal land in Phillips County in 2018 is withheld.4,370,737 mcf of gas were produced in Phillips County in 2018.
Pondera County
1,113
1,113
Data about gas extraction on federal land in Pondera County in 2018 is withheld.1,113 mcf of gas were produced in Pondera County in 2018.
Powder River County
6,626
6,626
Data about gas extraction on federal land in Powder River County in 2018 is withheld.6,626 mcf of gas were produced in Powder River County in 2018.
Prairie County
22,101
22,101
Data about gas extraction on federal land in Prairie County in 2018 is withheld.22,101 mcf of gas were produced in Prairie County in 2018.
Richland County
490,524
490,524
Data about gas extraction on federal land in Richland County in 2018 is withheld.490,524 mcf of gas were produced in Richland County in 2018.
Roosevelt County
136,793
136,793
Data about gas extraction on federal land in Roosevelt County in 2018 is withheld.136,793 mcf of gas were produced in Roosevelt County in 2018.
Rosebud County
224
224
Data about gas extraction on federal land in Rosebud County in 2018 is withheld.224 mcf of gas were produced in Rosebud County in 2018.
Sheridan County
17,117
17,117
Data about gas extraction on federal land in Sheridan County in 2018 is withheld.17,117 mcf of gas were produced in Sheridan County in 2018.
Toole County
117,788
117,788
Data about gas extraction on federal land in Toole County in 2018 is withheld.117,788 mcf of gas were produced in Toole County in 2018.
Valley County
663,334
663,334
Data about gas extraction on federal land in Valley County in 2018 is withheld.663,334 mcf of gas were produced in Valley County in 2018.
Wibaux County
84,799
84,799
Data about gas extraction on federal land in Wibaux County in 2018 is withheld.84,799 mcf of gas were produced in Wibaux County in 2018.
Oil
3,144,435 barrels of oil were produced on federal land in Montana in 2018.There is no data about production of oil in 2018.
County production
County production of oil in 2018 (bbl)There is no county-level data for Montana in 2018.County-level data for 2018 is withheld.
County
barrels of oil
Blaine County
40,431
40,431
Data about oil extraction on federal land in Blaine County in 2018 is withheld.40,431 barrels of oil were produced in Blaine County in 2018.
Carbon County
377,770
377,770
Data about oil extraction on federal land in Carbon County in 2018 is withheld.377,770 barrels of oil were produced in Carbon County in 2018.
Carter County
248,142
248,142
Data about oil extraction on federal land in Carter County in 2018 is withheld.248,142 barrels of oil were produced in Carter County in 2018.
Dawson County
162,175
162,175
Data about oil extraction on federal land in Dawson County in 2018 is withheld.162,175 barrels of oil were produced in Dawson County in 2018.
Fallon County
1,319,420
1,319,420
Data about oil extraction on federal land in Fallon County in 2018 is withheld.1,319,420 barrels of oil were produced in Fallon County in 2018.
Garfield County
1,592
1,592
Data about oil extraction on federal land in Garfield County in 2018 is withheld.1,592 barrels of oil were produced in Garfield County in 2018.
Glacier County
3,613
3,613
Data about oil extraction on federal land in Glacier County in 2018 is withheld.3,613 barrels of oil were produced in Glacier County in 2018.
Liberty County
2,430
2,430
Data about oil extraction on federal land in Liberty County in 2018 is withheld.2,430 barrels of oil were produced in Liberty County in 2018.
Musselshell County
4,556
4,556
Data about oil extraction on federal land in Musselshell County in 2018 is withheld.4,556 barrels of oil were produced in Musselshell County in 2018.
Petroleum County
5,844
5,844
Data about oil extraction on federal land in Petroleum County in 2018 is withheld.5,844 barrels of oil were produced in Petroleum County in 2018.
Powder River County
242,240
242,240
Data about oil extraction on federal land in Powder River County in 2018 is withheld.242,240 barrels of oil were produced in Powder River County in 2018.
Prairie County
79,039
79,039
Data about oil extraction on federal land in Prairie County in 2018 is withheld.79,039 barrels of oil were produced in Prairie County in 2018.
Richland County
401,189
401,189
Data about oil extraction on federal land in Richland County in 2018 is withheld.401,189 barrels of oil were produced in Richland County in 2018.
Roosevelt County
117,414
117,414
Data about oil extraction on federal land in Roosevelt County in 2018 is withheld.117,414 barrels of oil were produced in Roosevelt County in 2018.
Rosebud County
8,185
8,185
Data about oil extraction on federal land in Rosebud County in 2018 is withheld.8,185 barrels of oil were produced in Rosebud County in 2018.
Sheridan County
26,758
26,758
Data about oil extraction on federal land in Sheridan County in 2018 is withheld.26,758 barrels of oil were produced in Sheridan County in 2018.
Toole County
33,900
33,900
Data about oil extraction on federal land in Toole County in 2018 is withheld.33,900 barrels of oil were produced in Toole County in 2018.
Wibaux County
69,726
69,726
Data about oil extraction on federal land in Wibaux County in 2018 is withheld.69,726 barrels of oil were produced in Wibaux County in 2018.
Revenue
Companies pay a wide range of fees, rates, and taxes to extract natural resources in the United States. What companies pay to federal, state, and local governments often depends on who owns the natural resources.
Federal revenue
Natural resource extraction can lead to federal revenue in two ways: non-tax revenue and tax revenue. Revenue data on this site primarily includes non-tax revenue from extractive industry activities on federal land.
Revenue from production on federal land by resource
When companies extract natural resources on federal lands and waters , they pay royalties, rents, bonuses, and other fees, much like they would to any landowner . This non-tax revenue is collected and reported by the Office of Natural Resources Revenue (ONRR).
For details about the laws and policies that govern how rights are awarded to companies and what they pay to extract natural resources on federal land : coal, oil and gas, renewable resources, and hardrock minerals.
The federal government collects different kinds of fees at each phase of natural resource extraction . This chart shows how much federal revenue was collected in calendar year (CY)2019 for production or potential production of natural resources on federal land in Montana, broken down by phase of production.
Royalty rates are determined by leasing officers on an individual case basis (no minimums apply)
All commodities
All commodities $58,823,472
$2,779,521
$821,920
$53,908,485
$1,313,545
Other revenue streams
Hardrock mining on public domain lands
Federal revenue from hardrock mining on public domain land occurs through the claim-staking process and is managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). It is not included here, because the dataset does not have state-level data. Learn more about hardrock mining on federal land.
Onshore solar and wind energy
Federal revenue from onshore renewable energy generation on federal land is not included here, because that dataset, from BLM, does not have state-level data. Learn more about onshore renewables on federal land.
To see how much was collected nationwide for all revenue types, including BLM revenues, see federal revenue by company.
Revenue from production on federal land by county
Most non-tax revenue collected by ONRR comes from counties with significant natural resources on federal land.
Companies paid 58,823,472 to produce natural resources on federal land in Montana in 2019.There is no data about revenue from natural resources on federal land in Montana in 2019.
Revenue collected by county
Revenue by county in 2019There is no county-level data for Montana in 2019.County-level data for 2019 is withheld.
County
Revenue
Beaverhead County
4227
4227
Data about revenue on federal land in Beaverhead in 2019 is withheld.Companies paid 4227 to extract natural resources on federal land in Beaverhead County in 2019.
Big Horn County
20128536
20128536
Data about revenue on federal land in Big Horn in 2019 is withheld.Companies paid 20128536 to extract natural resources on federal land in Big Horn County in 2019.
Blaine County
639288
639288
Data about revenue on federal land in Blaine in 2019 is withheld.Companies paid 639288 to extract natural resources on federal land in Blaine County in 2019.
Carbon County
1181396
1181396
Data about revenue on federal land in Carbon in 2019 is withheld.Companies paid 1181396 to extract natural resources on federal land in Carbon County in 2019.
Carter County
87743
87743
Data about revenue on federal land in Carter in 2019 is withheld.Companies paid 87743 to extract natural resources on federal land in Carter County in 2019.
Chouteau County
42534
42534
Data about revenue on federal land in Chouteau in 2019 is withheld.Companies paid 42534 to extract natural resources on federal land in Chouteau County in 2019.
Custer County
8136
8136
Data about revenue on federal land in Custer in 2019 is withheld.Companies paid 8136 to extract natural resources on federal land in Custer County in 2019.
Daniels County
4736
4736
Data about revenue on federal land in Daniels in 2019 is withheld.Companies paid 4736 to extract natural resources on federal land in Daniels County in 2019.
Dawson County
2218609
2218609
Data about revenue on federal land in Dawson in 2019 is withheld.Companies paid 2218609 to extract natural resources on federal land in Dawson County in 2019.
Fallon County
6874016
6874016
Data about revenue on federal land in Fallon in 2019 is withheld.Companies paid 6874016 to extract natural resources on federal land in Fallon County in 2019.
Fergus County
9526
9526
Data about revenue on federal land in Fergus in 2019 is withheld.Companies paid 9526 to extract natural resources on federal land in Fergus County in 2019.
Gallatin County
540
540
Data about revenue on federal land in Gallatin in 2019 is withheld.Companies paid 540 to extract natural resources on federal land in Gallatin County in 2019.
Garfield County
11121
11121
Data about revenue on federal land in Garfield in 2019 is withheld.Companies paid 11121 to extract natural resources on federal land in Garfield County in 2019.
Glacier County
60971
60971
Data about revenue on federal land in Glacier in 2019 is withheld.Companies paid 60971 to extract natural resources on federal land in Glacier County in 2019.
Hill County
34907
34907
Data about revenue on federal land in Hill in 2019 is withheld.Companies paid 34907 to extract natural resources on federal land in Hill County in 2019.
Liberty County
478326
478326
Data about revenue on federal land in Liberty in 2019 is withheld.Companies paid 478326 to extract natural resources on federal land in Liberty County in 2019.
Mccone County
11290
11290
Data about revenue on federal land in Mccone in 2019 is withheld.Companies paid 11290 to extract natural resources on federal land in Mccone County in 2019.
Meagher County
480
480
Data about revenue on federal land in Meagher in 2019 is withheld.Companies paid 480 to extract natural resources on federal land in Meagher County in 2019.
Musselshell County
527951
527951
Data about revenue on federal land in Musselshell in 2019 is withheld.Companies paid 527951 to extract natural resources on federal land in Musselshell County in 2019.
Park County
3499
3499
Data about revenue on federal land in Park in 2019 is withheld.Companies paid 3499 to extract natural resources on federal land in Park County in 2019.
Petroleum County
43821
43821
Data about revenue on federal land in Petroleum in 2019 is withheld.Companies paid 43821 to extract natural resources on federal land in Petroleum County in 2019.
Phillips County
1766706
1766706
Data about revenue on federal land in Phillips in 2019 is withheld.Companies paid 1766706 to extract natural resources on federal land in Phillips County in 2019.
Pondera County
9964
9964
Data about revenue on federal land in Pondera in 2019 is withheld.Companies paid 9964 to extract natural resources on federal land in Pondera County in 2019.
Powder River County
4050052
4050052
Data about revenue on federal land in Powder River in 2019 is withheld.Companies paid 4050052 to extract natural resources on federal land in Powder River County in 2019.
Prairie County
282999
282999
Data about revenue on federal land in Prairie in 2019 is withheld.Companies paid 282999 to extract natural resources on federal land in Prairie County in 2019.
Richland County
2455182
2455182
Data about revenue on federal land in Richland in 2019 is withheld.Companies paid 2455182 to extract natural resources on federal land in Richland County in 2019.
Roosevelt County
1305553
1305553
Data about revenue on federal land in Roosevelt in 2019 is withheld.Companies paid 1305553 to extract natural resources on federal land in Roosevelt County in 2019.
Rosebud County
14616460
14616460
Data about revenue on federal land in Rosebud in 2019 is withheld.Companies paid 14616460 to extract natural resources on federal land in Rosebud County in 2019.
Sheridan County
135879
135879
Data about revenue on federal land in Sheridan in 2019 is withheld.Companies paid 135879 to extract natural resources on federal land in Sheridan County in 2019.
Stillwater County
14840
14840
Data about revenue on federal land in Stillwater in 2019 is withheld.Companies paid 14840 to extract natural resources on federal land in Stillwater County in 2019.
Toole County
581935
581935
Data about revenue on federal land in Toole in 2019 is withheld.Companies paid 581935 to extract natural resources on federal land in Toole County in 2019.
Treasure County
2768
2768
Data about revenue on federal land in Treasure in 2019 is withheld.Companies paid 2768 to extract natural resources on federal land in Treasure County in 2019.
Valley County
171855
171855
Data about revenue on federal land in Valley in 2019 is withheld.Companies paid 171855 to extract natural resources on federal land in Valley County in 2019.
Wheatland County
840
840
Data about revenue on federal land in Wheatland in 2019 is withheld.Companies paid 840 to extract natural resources on federal land in Wheatland County in 2019.
Wibaux County
1056246
1056246
Data about revenue on federal land in Wibaux in 2019 is withheld.Companies paid 1056246 to extract natural resources on federal land in Wibaux County in 2019.
Yellowstone County
526
526
Data about revenue on federal land in Yellowstone in 2019 is withheld.Companies paid 526 to extract natural resources on federal land in Yellowstone County in 2019.
Federal tax revenue
Individuals and corporations (specifically C-corporations) pay income taxes to the IRS. The federal corporate income tax rate tops out at 21%. Public policy provisions, such as tax expenditures, can decrease corporate income tax and other revenue payments in order to promote other policy goals.
In 2016, the state of Montana collected $246,887,799 in state revenue from natural resource extraction (this includes both tax and non-tax revenue). Counties also collect and distribute their own revenue from natural resource extraction.
Resource Indemnity & Ground Water Asssessment Tax (RIGWAT)
$2,335,153
Gas Royalty
$555,103
Miscellaneous Mines Net Proceeds
$1,624,098
Oil & Gas Penalty Income
$499,808
Condensate Royalty
$24,839
Coal Rentals / Bonuses
$49,535
Land Use Licenses Rental Income
$15,507
Non-Metalliferous Mineral Leases Royalty Income
$18
Non-Metalliferous Mineral Leases Rental Income
$5,430
Oil & Gas Surface Damages
$0
Oil & Gas Seismic Permits
$0
Metalliferous Mineral Lease Rental Income
$277
Metalliferous Mineral Lease Royalty Income
$0
Land Use Licenses Royalty Income
$11,292
Disbursements
Federal disbursements
After collecting revenue from natural resource extraction, the Office of Natural Resources Revenue distributes that money to different agencies, funds, and local governments for public use. This process is called “disbursement.”
Most federal revenue disbursements go into national funds. For detailed data about which expenditures and projects from those national funds are in Montana, see nationwide federal disbursements.
ONRR also disburses some revenue from natural resource extraction to state governments. In 2019, ONRR disbursed $29,991,520 to Montana.
In 2016, the state of Montana distributed $246,887,799 in state revenue from natural resource extraction to state and local funds.
State fund
Distribution
Total
$246,887,799
General Fund
$79,155,245
$69,980,227
County governments receive money from the oil & natural gas production tax, coal gross proceeds tax, metalliferous minerals license tax, and federal mineral royalties. 17 Montana counties received over $1 million in state distributions from natural resource revenue.
$18,008,101
This is a fund that funds common schools.
$30,179,274
This fund was established by the Montana State Constitution, which requires that 50% of coal severance tax revenue go to the trust fund before the remainder is distributed. The estimated balance at the end of FY 2014 was $963 million, and interest from the fund goes to projects related to economic development, water, and infrastructure projects.
State Share
$13,047,282
State School Oil & Gas Distribution
$1,394,905
Long Range Building
$7,243,026
Oil and Natural Gas Conservation Account Tax
$1,534,356
State Orphan Share Fund
$1,281,080
State Natural Resources Projects
$1,712,375
Montana University System
$1,150,801
Public Land Trust
$585,518
Shared Account
$3,295,577
Board of Oil & Gas Conservation
$812,294
State Natural Resources Operations
$877,214
Coal Board
$3,434,905
Hard Rock Debt Service
$693,982
Natural Resources Operations
$571,515
Park Acquisition Trust
$766,554
Renewable Resource Debt Service
$573,406
Hazardous Waste/CERCLA special revenue account
$387,182
Environmental Quality Protection Fund
$387,182
Groundwater Assessment Account
$366,000
Cultural and Aesthetic Projects
$380,259
Hard Rock Mining
$204,112
CERCLA Debt Service
$270,425
Coal & Uranium Program
$250,000
Water Storage Special Revenue Account
$150,000
Public Buildings
$13,957
School of Mines
$0
Pine Hills School
$2,966
Montana State University Morrill
$7,186
University of Montana
$960
State Normal School
$5,047
Agricultural Experiment Station
$12,204
School for Deaf and Blind
$16,486
Department of Transportation
$1,270
Department of Natural Resources Conservation - Water Resources Division
$134,918
Montana State University 2nd Grant
$8
Veterans Home Income
$1,224
Department of Fish, Wildlife, & Parks
$0
Galen State Hospital
$0
State governance
The state of Montana participated in additional reporting about state and local natural resource governance, revenues, and disbursements.
State agencies
The state of Montana regulates extraction and interacts with extractive industry companies in Montana, particularly when they're operating on state or private land.
The Montana Department of Revenue collects, manages, and distributes revenue from companies engaged in extraction of oil, natural gas, coal, and nonenergy minerals in Montana. It publishes biennial reports and other tax related reports. County governments also collect many property taxes.
The Montana Board of Oil and Gas Conservation is involved in all stages of oil and gas extraction. It permits all oil and gas wells, regulates the underground injecting program, and assists in remediation efforts. It also inspects all oil and gas wells and operations to ensure they comply with all state environmental laws. The board is governed by rules and regulations, maintains a data portal, and publishes annual reviews.
The Minerals Management Bureau (within the Trust Land Management Division) permits, regulates, and collects revenue for extraction on state trust lands. Their work complements the work of the Board of Oil and Gas Conservation and Department of Environmental Quality, both of which retain regulatory authority over mines on state lands. State land leasing is governed by state statutes and rules.
The Montana Department of Environmental Quality leads Montana's planning, permitting, compliance, enforcement, and remediation efforts for projects and incidents related to air, water, land, and energy.
The Air, Energy, and Mining Division is charged with protecting the quality of Montana's air, water, and land. Its responsibilities and roles include:
Issuing air quality permits for oil and gas wells
Issuing permits and monitoring compliance for projects relating to coal and hardrock mines
Determining correct control measures and establishing requirements to ensure compliance with laws and regulations
Providing technical assistance in bringing violations back into compliance
The Constitution of the State of Montana includes environmental protections, including a right to a “clean and healthful environment,” and provisions for environmental protection, improvement, and reclamation.
The Montana Code Annotated (MCA) has several sections that govern natural resource extraction:
Title 15: Taxation covers taxation. See chapters 35 (Coal Severance), 36 (Oil & Gas Production Tax), 37 (Mining License Taxes), and 38 (RIGWAT Tax).
Title 77: State Lands covers state lands. See Chapter 3 (Rock, Mineral, Coal, Oil, and Gas Resources).
The Montana Environmental Policy Act (MCA §75-1-101, et seq.) aims to ensure environmental impacts are considered in state planning (including environmental impact statements).
The Clean Air Act of Montana (MCA § 75-2-101, et seq.) seeks to “achieve and maintain levels of air quality that will protect human health and safety and, to the greatest degree possible, prevent injury to plant and animal life.”
The Water Quality Act (MCA §75-5-101, et seq.) aims to "conserve water by protecting, maintaining, and improving the quality of water" throughout the state and to "provide a comprehensive program for the prevention, abatement, and control of water pollution."
The Montana Metal Mine Reclamation Act (MCA §82-4-301, et seq.) provides for reclamation of hard rock and metal mines.
The Administrative Rules of Montana also regulate natural resource extraction:
Title 36: Natural Resources and Conservation covers the Department of Natural Resources & Conservation. See chapters 19 (Reclamation and Development Grants Program), 22 (Board of Oil & Gas Conservation), and 25 (State Land Leasing).
Title 17 Environmental Quality covers the Department of Environmental Quality. See chapters 8 (Air Quality), 24 (Reclamation), and 30 (Water Quality).
Fiscal costs of extractive activity
In addition to generating revenue and economic activity, extractive industries can bring costs to state and local communities. In Montana, these costs are concentrated in eastern Montana because of extraction from the Bakken Formation in Montana and neighboring North Dakota. For more extractive industries' effect on this region, see the Eastern Montana Impact Coalition's Regional Impact Analysis (PDF).
Transportation costs
The Montana Department of Transportation estimates an additional $52 million per year in increased pavement needs for highways in eastern Montana because of extractive industry activity. Local governments in eastern Montana also saw increases in budgets for streets and roads increase 44% to 345% from 2000 to 2013.
Surveyed communities in eastern Montana reported that water rates increased an average of 86.4% from 2011 to 2014 and sewage rates increased 302.9%. The Eastern Montana Impact Coalition also estimates that $33.8 million to $80.6 million will be needed for incremental improvements to support growing demand on water, sewage, and transportation systems. These figures don’t include large projects.
The Department of Environmental Quality plans, monitors, assesses, and enforces water quality in Montana. It performs targeted water quality monitoring related to oil and gas development in eastern Montana and coal mining near Lake Koocanusa, runs the Montana Ground Water Pollution Control System and its permitting process, and produces Clean Water Act Integrated Reports.
Emergency services
Increased population near extraction can increase demands on emergency services. Law enforcement at multiple jurisdictional levels in eastern Montana have seen costs rise related to increases in oil and gas activity.
The State Highway Patrol added a new detachment in eastern Montana, county sheriffs' offices have seen costs rise $13.4 million, and surveyed police departments have seen an average budget increase of 128.9% between 2000 and 2013. Surveyed local governments also reported an average increase of 169.2% in emergency spending from 2000 to 2013.
Reclamation costs
Montana has been “certified” by the federal Abandoned Mine Land Reclamation program, meaning that it has reclaimed its identified high-priority abandoned coal mine areas. Current projects include addressing acid mine drainage in the Great Falls coal field, which is projected to cost $96 million, and managing subsidence events and potential subsidence in Red Lodge.
The Conservation and Resource Development Division of the Department of Natural Resources and Conservation runs the Reclamation and Development Grants Program to fund projects that “compensate Montana citizens for the effects of exploration and mining on Montana lands.”
The Montana Department of Justice Natural Resources Damage Program administers grants for the restoration of the Upper Clark Fork River Basin’s natural resources “due to mining and mineral processing operations.” Between 2000 and 2011, the governor approved 121 projects totaling $122.5 million.
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