The bill amends Sections 85-2-316 and 85-2-331 of the Montana Code Annotated (MCA) to extend the deadline for perfection of certain water reservations above Fort Peck Dam. Specifically, it allows municipalities and conservation districts to have their water reservations above Fort Peck Dam extended until those reservations are perfected or revoked, as indicated by the insertion of new language in Section 85-2-331. Additionally, the bill provides the Department of Natural Resources and Conservation with rulemaking authority to ensure that applications for state water reservations are processed correctly and efficiently.

Furthermore, the bill mandates that the department review existing state water reservations every ten years to ensure compliance with their objectives, and it allows for modifications or extensions of reservations if necessary. The bill also includes provisions for notifying tribal governments about the changes and establishes an immediate effective date upon passage and approval. Overall, the legislation aims to enhance the management and allocation of water resources in Montana, particularly in the Missouri River and Little Missouri River basins.

Statutes affected:
LC Text: 85-2-316, 85-2-331
SB0357_1(1): 85-2-316, 85-2-331
SB0357_1(2): 85-2-316, 85-2-331
SB0357_1(3): 85-2-316, 85-2-331
SB0357_1(4): 85-2-316, 85-2-331
SB0357_1(5): 85-2-316, 85-2-331
SB0357_1: 85-2-316, 85-2-331
SB0357_2(1): 85-2-316, 85-2-331
SB0357_2(10): 85-2-316, 85-2-331
SB0357_2(2): 85-2-316, 85-2-331
SB0357_2(3): 85-2-316, 85-2-331
SB0357_2(4): 85-2-316, 85-2-331
SB0357_2(5): 85-2-316, 85-2-331
SB0357_2(6): 85-2-316, 85-2-331
SB0357_2(7): 85-2-316, 85-2-331
SB0357_2(8): 85-2-316, 85-2-331
SB0357_2(9): 85-2-316, 85-2-331
SB0357_2: 85-2-316, 85-2-331
SB0357_X(1): 85-2-316, 85-2-331
SB0357_X(10): 85-2-316, 85-2-331
SB0357_X(11): 85-2-316, 85-2-331
SB0357_X(12): 85-2-316, 85-2-331
SB0357_X(13): 85-2-316, 85-2-331
SB0357_X(14): 85-2-316, 85-2-331
SB0357_X(15): 85-2-316, 85-2-331
SB0357_X(2): 85-2-316, 85-2-331
SB0357_X(3): 85-2-316, 85-2-331
SB0357_X(4): 85-2-316, 85-2-331
SB0357_X(5): 85-2-316, 85-2-331
SB0357_X(6): 85-2-316, 85-2-331
SB0357_X(7): 85-2-316, 85-2-331
SB0357_X(8): 85-2-316, 85-2-331
SB0357_X(9): 85-2-316, 85-2-331
SB0357_X: 85-2-316, 85-2-331