Montana Code Annotated
Part 2. Adjudication of Water Rights
85-2-270. Findings -- purpose

85-2-270. (Temporary) Findings -- purpose. (1) The purpose of 85-2-271, 85-2-280 through 85-2-282, and this section is to:
(a) complete claims examination and the initial decree phase;
(b) reexamine claims in basins that were verified and were not subject to the supreme court examination rules when the water court has received a petition and issued an order pursuant to 85-2-282 or the water court has issued an order on its own initiative; and
(c) ensure that the product of the adjudication is enforceable decrees.
(2) With adequate funding, it is realistic and feasible for the department to complete claims examination and reexamination of verified basins for which the water court has received a petition and issued an order pursuant to 85-2-282 or the water court has issued an order on its own initiative by June 30, 2015. It is also realistic and feasible for the water court to issue a preliminary or temporary preliminary decree by June 30, 2024, for all basins in Montana. (Terminates June 30, 2028--secs. 10, 11, Ch. 269, L. 2015.)
History: En. Sec. 1, Ch. 288, L. 2005; amd. Sec. 3, Ch. 319, L. 2007; amd. Sec. 4, Ch. 269, L. 2015; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 72, L. 2019.

Structure Montana Code Annotated

Montana Code Annotated

Title 85. Water Use

Chapter 2. Surface Water and Ground Water

Part 2. Adjudication of Water Rights

85-2-201. Repealed

85-2-202. Repealed

85-2-203. Repealed

85-2-204. Repealed

85-2-205. Repealed

85-2-206. Repealed

85-2-207. Repealed

85-2-208. Repealed

85-2-209. Repealed

85-2-210. Repealed

85-2-211. Repealed

85-2-212. Order by supreme court

85-2-213. Notice of order

85-2-214. Commencement of action

85-2-215. Consolidation of matters

85-2-216. Venue for water rights determinations

85-2-217. Suspension of adjudication

85-2-218. Process and criteria for designating priority basins or subbasins

85-2-219. and 85-2-220 reserved

85-2-221. Filing of claim of existing water right -- filing late claim

85-2-222. Definition -- filing process -- notice

85-2-223. Public recreational uses

85-2-224. Statement of claim

85-2-225. Filing fee -- processing fee for remitted claims

85-2-226. Abandonment by failure to file claim

85-2-227. Claim to constitute prima facie evidence -- relevant evidence -- abandonment -- criteria for presumption of municipal nonabandonment

85-2-228. Federal reserved water rights with priority date of July 1, 1973, or later -- process and adjudication -- purpose

85-2-229. and 85-2-230 reserved

85-2-231. Temporary preliminary decree, preliminary decree, and supplemental preliminary decree

85-2-232. Availability of temporary preliminary decree, preliminary decree, or supplemental preliminary decree

85-2-233. Hearing on decrees or petition -- procedure

85-2-234. Final decree

85-2-235. Appeals

85-2-236. Certificate of water right

85-2-237. Reopening and review of decrees

85-2-238. through 85-2-240 reserved

85-2-241. Repealed

85-2-242. Repealed

85-2-243. Department assistance to water judges

85-2-244. through 85-2-246 reserved

85-2-247. Purpose

85-2-248. Resolution of issue remarks other than by objection

85-2-249. Prioritization of workload

85-2-250. Definition

85-2-251. through 85-2-269 reserved

85-2-270. Findings -- purpose

85-2-271. Benchmarks -- action taken if not met -- claims examination priority

85-2-272. Repealed

85-2-273. Repealed

85-2-274. and 85-2-275 reserved

85-2-276. Repealed

85-2-277. and 85-2-278 reserved

85-2-279. Repealed

85-2-280. Water adjudication account

85-2-281. Reporting requirements

85-2-282. Examination of claims in verified basins

85-2-283. Repealed