77-4-108. Water rights in connection with geothermal development. If any geothermal development located on state land requires the utilization of water, the lessee may, at any time prior to 1 year before the expiration of the lease, make application to the board for permission to secure a water right to the land under the lease. The application must be in writing, show the permanency of the water supply, and give the estimated cost of utilizing the water resources. If the proposed plan meets with the approval of the board, permission must be granted to the lessee to secure the desired water right for the land. The right must be secured in accordance with Title 85, chapter 2, and must be filed in the name of the state. Existing water rights purchased by the geothermal lessee are the property of the lessee.
History: En. 81-2611 by Sec. 11, Ch. 111, L. 1974; R.C.M. 1947, 81-2611; amd. Sec. 2560, Ch. 56, L. 2009.
Structure Montana Code Annotated
Chapter 4. Renewable Resources
77-4-101. Geothermal leases authorized
77-4-104. Nature of geothermal resources
77-4-105. State retention of geothermal resources
77-4-106. Bonding requirements
77-4-107. Compensation to surface lessee
77-4-108. Water rights in connection with geothermal development
77-4-110. through 77-4-120 reserved
77-4-121. Provisions of the lease
77-4-124. Operating agreements
77-4-125. Pooling agreements and unit operations
77-4-126. Royalties and rentals
77-4-127. Disposition of royalties and other receipts