AN ACT PROVIDING FOR WATER RIGHTS DELIVERY SYSTEM EASEMENTS IN PROPOSED SUBDIVISIONS; AND AMENDING SECTION 76-3-504, MCA.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MONTANA:

Section 1. Section 76-3-504, MCA, is amended to read:

"76-3-504. Minimum requirements for subdivision regulations. The subdivision regulations adopted under this chapter must, at a minimum:

(1) require the subdivider to submit to the governing body an environmental assessment as prescribed in 76-3-603;

(2) establish procedures consistent with this chapter for the submission and review of subdivision plats;

(3) prescribe the form and contents of preliminary plats and the documents to accompany final plats;

(4) provide for the identification of areas that, because of natural or human-caused hazards, are unsuitable for subdivision development and prohibit subdivisions in these areas unless the hazards can be eliminated or overcome by approved construction techniques;

(5) prohibit subdivisions for building purposes in areas located within the floodway of a flood of 100-year frequency, as defined by Title 76, chapter 5, or determined to be subject to flooding by the governing body;

(6) prescribe standards for:

(a) the design and arrangement of lots, streets, and roads;

(b) grading and drainage;

(c) subject to the provisions of 76-3-511, water supply and sewage and solid waste disposal that, at a minimum, meet the regulations adopted by the department of environmental quality under 76-4-104;

(d) the location and installation of utilities;

(7) provide procedures for the administration of the park and open-space requirements of this chapter;

(8) provide for the review of preliminary plats by affected public utilities and those agencies of local, state, and federal government having a substantial interest in a proposed subdivision. A utility or agency review may not delay the governing body's action on the plat beyond the time limits specified in this chapter, and the failure of any agency to complete a review of a plat may not be a basis for rejection of the plat by the governing body.

(9) require the subdivider to establish ditch easements in the subdivision, in locations of appropriate topographic characteristics and sufficient width, to allow the physical placement and unobstructed maintenance of open ditches or below-ground pipelines for the delivery of water for irrigation to persons and lands legally entitled to the water under an appropriated water right or permit of an irrigation district or other private or public entity formed to provide for the use of the water right on the subdivision lots. Establishment of easements pursuant to this subsection (9) is not required if:

(a) the average lot size is 1 acre or less and the subdivider provides for disclosure, in a manner acceptable to the governing body, that adequately notifies potential buyers of lots that are classified as irrigated land and may continue to be assessed for irrigation water delivery even though the water may not be deliverable; or

(b) the water rights are removed or the process has been initiated to remove the water rights from the subdivided land through an appropriate legal or administrative process and if the removal or intended removal is denoted on the preliminary plat. If removal of water rights is not complete upon filing of the final plat, the subdivider shall provide written notification to prospective buyers of the intent to remove the water right and shall document that intent, when applicable, in agreements and legal documents for related sales transactions.

(10) require the subdivider, unless otherwise provided for under separate written agreement or filed easement, to file and record ditch easements for unobstructed use and maintenance of existing water delivery ditches, pipelines, and facilities in the subdivision that are necessary to convey water through the subdivision to lands adjacent to or beyond the subdivision boundaries in quantities and in a manner that are consistent with historic and legal rights."

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I hereby certify that the within bill,

HB 0205, originated in the House.

Chief Clerk of the House

Speaker of the House

Signed this	day

of	, .

President of the Senate

Signed this	day

of	, .

HOUSE BILL NO. 205

INTRODUCED BY B. TASH

AN ACT PROVIDING FOR WATER RIGHTS DELIVERY SYSTEM EASEMENTS IN PROPOSED SUBDIVISIONS; AND AMENDING SECTION 76-3-504, MCA.