Montana Code Annotated 2019

TITLE 85. WATER USE

CHAPTER 2. SURFACE WATER AND GROUND WATER

Part 3. Appropriations, Permits, and Certificates of Water Rights

Basin Closure -- Exceptions

85-2-341. Basin closure -- exceptions. (1) As provided in 85-2-319 and subject to the provisions of subsection (2) of this section, the department may not grant an application for a permit to appropriate water or for a state water reservation to reserve water within the Jefferson River basin or Madison River basin.

(2) The provisions of subsection (1) do not apply to:

(a) an application for a permit to appropriate ground water if the applicant complies with the provisions of 85-2-360;

(b) an application for a permit to appropriate water for a nonconsumptive use;

(c) an application for a permit to appropriate water for:

(i) domestic use from surface water or pursuant to 85-2-306;

(ii) stock use; or

(iii) use of surface water by or for a municipality;

(d) an application to store water during high spring flows;

(e) an application submitted pursuant to 85-20-1401, Article VI;

(f) temporary emergency appropriations, including for emergency fire training and emergency fire-related operations, as provided for in 85-2-113(3);

(g) an application for a permit to appropriate surface water to conduct response actions related to natural resource restoration required for:

(i) remedial actions pursuant to the federal Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980, 42 U.S.C. 9601, et seq.;

(ii) aquatic resource activities carried out in compliance with and as required by the federal Clean Water Act of 1977, 33 U.S.C. 1251 through 1387; or

(iii) remedial actions taken pursuant to Title 75, chapter 10, part 7.

(3) A permit issued to conduct remedial actions or aquatic resource activities under subsection (2)(g) may not be used for dilution.

(4) A change of use authorization for changing the purpose of use may not be issued for any permit issued pursuant to subsection (2)(b), (2)(c), (2)(f), or (2)(g).

History: En. Sec. 2, Ch. 244, L. 1993; amd. Sec. 454, Ch. 418, L. 1995; amd. Sec. 15, Ch. 497, L. 1997; amd. Sec. 14, Ch. 213, L. 2007; amd. Sec. 9, Ch. 391, L. 2007; amd. Sec. 4, Ch. 264, L. 2017.