Mont. Code Ann. § 85-7-1415 — MT Code / Title 85 / Chapter 7 / Part 14 / Section 85-7-1415
85-7-1415 Nature of revenue bonds
Status: in_force

85-7-1415 . Nature of revenue bonds. (1) No holder of any bonds issued under this part may compel the levy of any tax or assessment on property within the irrigation district to pay the bonds or interest thereon.

(2) Each bond issued under this part must recite in substance that:

(a) the bond, including interest thereon, is payable from the revenue pledged to the payment thereof or any other security pledged therefor, including a lien on the undertaking; and

(b) the bond does not constitute a debt of the irrigation district within the meaning of any constitutional or statutory limitation or provision.
Mont. Code Ann. § 85-7-1614 — MT Code / Title 85 / Chapter 7 / Part 16 / Section 85-7-1614
85-7-1614 Board of control -- office and records
Status: in_force

85-7-1614 . Board of control -- office and records. The board of control is hereby authorized and empowered to establish an office in one of the contracting districts; to hold its proceedings therein; and to keep on file all necessary petitions, papers, minutes, documents, or other instruments belonging to the board of control and the contracting districts.
Mont. Code Ann. § 85-8-315 — MT Code / Title 85 / Chapter 8 / Part 3 / Section 85-8-315
85-8-315 Presumption of regularity of commissioners' acts
Status: in_force

85-8-315 . Presumption of regularity of commissioners' acts. Commissioners of drainage districts are hereby declared to be public officers. The presumption shall be in favor of the regularity and validity of all their official acts. Whenever any report of the commissioners of any drainage district or any part of any such report is contested, remonstrated against, or called in question, the burden of proof shall rest upon the contestant, remonstrant, or questioner.
Mont. Code Ann. § 85-2-413 — MT Code / Title 85 / Chapter 2 / Part 4 / Section 85-2-413
85-2-413 Diversion of natural flow of waters -- when permitted
Status: in_force

85-2-413 . Diversion of natural flow of waters -- when permitted. A person who owns or is in possession of lands susceptible of irrigation from any stream, the waters of which are so diminished by prior appropriations that a sufficient amount of water for the irrigation of the person's lands cannot be obtained from the natural flow of the stream, and who constructs a reservoir or purchases or leases water from a reservoir owned by the department or another or otherwise acquires an interest in the reservoir or in water stored in the reservoir, which is located so that because of natural or other obstacles the water impounded in the reservoir cannot be conducted to the lands that the person desires to irrigate, may, if the stored water can be discharged into the stream in a manner that it can be used beneficially by prior appropriators, divert the natural flow of the stream for the irrigation of the person's lands in lieu of an equal amount of stored water. However, an exchange of water under this section must be made without injury to prior appropriators.
Mont. Code Ann. § 85-15-109 — MT Code / Title 85 / Chapter 15 / Part 1 / Section 85-15-109
85-15-109 Legal assistance
Status: in_force

85-15-109 . Legal assistance. When requested by the department, the attorney general or the county attorneys within their respective counties shall perform legal services and conduct legal proceedings necessary to carry out the purposes of this chapter. The department may also employ legal counsel to enforce this chapter and to conduct proceedings under it.
Mont. Code Ann. § 85-20-1701 — MT Code / Title 85 / Chapter 20 / Part 17 / Section 85-20-1701
85-20-1701 United States of America, fish and wildlife service, Charles M. Russell national wildlife refuge-Montana compact ratified
Status: reserved

85-20-1701 . United States of America, fish and wildlife service, Charles M. Russell national wildlife refuge-Montana compact ratified. This compact is entered into by the State of Montana and the United States of America to settle for all time any and all claims to federal reserved water rights for the Charles M. Russell National Wildlife Refuge administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service within the State of Montana.

ARTICLE I RECITALS

WHEREAS, the State of Montana, in 1979 pursuant to Title 85, Chapter 2 of the Montana Code Annotated, commenced a general adjudication of the rights to the use of water within the State of Montana including all federal reserved and appropriative water rights;

WHEREAS, 85-2-228 , MCA, provides that a federal reserved water right with a priority date of July 1, 1973, or later be subject to the same process and adjudication as a federal reserved water right with a priority date before July 1, 1973;

WHEREAS, 85-2-703 and 85-2-228 (3), MCA, provide that the Montana Reserved Water Rights Compact Commission may negotiate settlement of claims by the federal government to non-Indian reserved waters within the State of Montana;

WHEREAS, the United States wishes to quantify and have decreed the amount of water necessary to fulfill the purposes of the Charles M. Russell National Wildlife Refuge as articulated in Executive Order 7509 of December 11, 1936;

WHEREAS, the Attorney General, or a duly designated official of the United States Department of Justice, has authority to execute this compact on behalf of the United States pursuant to the authority to settle litigation contained in 28 U.S.C. 516-517 (1968);

WHEREAS, the Secretary of the Interior, or a duly designated official of the United States Department of the Interior, has authority to execute this compact on behalf of the United States Department of Interior pursuant to 43 U.S.C. 1457 (1986, Supp. 1992);

NOW THEREFORE, the State of Montana and the United States agree as follows:

ARTICLE II DEFINITIONS

For purposes of this compact only, the following definitions shall apply:

(1) "Abstract" means copies of the documents collectively entitled "Abstracts of U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Water Rights for the Charles M. Russell National Wildlife Refuge" referenced in this compact as Appendices 1-3.

(2) "Acre-foot" or "Acre-feet" or "AF" means the amount of water necessary to cover one acre to a depth of one foot and is equivalent to 43,560 cubic feet of water.

(3) "Charles M. Russell National Wildlife Refuge" means the federal reservation of land that was designated under the Act of June 25, 1910, ch. 421, 36 Stat. 847, as amended by the Act of August 24, 1912, ch. 369, 37 Stat. 497.

(4) "Coextensive" means equal or coincident in space, time or scope. As applied to this compact, "Coextensive" rights to instream flow are non-additive water rights that constitute a usufructuary interest held by two or more parties with each party being subject to the same limits on quantity of water regardless of whether one or both parties are exercising the right.

(5) "Department" means the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation or its successor.

(6) "Effective Date" means the date on which the compact is given ratification by the Montana Legislature, written approval by the United States Department of the Interior, and written approval by the United States Department of Justice, whichever occurs later.

(7) "Groundwater" means any water that is beneath the ground surface.

(8) "Instream Flow" means the water that the Parties agree must remain in the stream for non-consumptive uses to protect and maintain water flow and Wildlife Habitat throughout the Refuge for the purposes of the federal reservation.

(9) "Non-Consumptive Use" means a beneficial use of water that does not cause a reduction in the source of supply or result in a reduction in the quantity or quality of water and in which substantially all of the water returns without delay to the source of supply, causing little or no disruption in stream conditions.

(10) "Order" means Executive Order 7509, withdrawing from the public domain the Fort Peck Game Range, signed December 11, 1936.

(11) "Parties" means the State of Montana and the United States.

(12) "Recognized Under State Law" when referring to a water right or use means a water right or use protected by state law, but does not include state recognition of a federal or tribal reserved water right arising under federal law.

(13) "Refuge" means the Charles M. Russell National Wildlife Refuge.

(14) "Reserved Right" means collectively the United States' water rights for stock, wildlife, and Wildlife Habitat within Refuge as described herein.

(15) "Restricted Reach" means the portion of stream reach subject to the on-stream impoundment limitation described in Articles III.E. and IV.C. and depicted in Appendix 5 of this compact.

(16) "Stacked" means a series of impoundments on the same stream placed in proximity to one another such that water impounded by a down-stream dam reaches an elevation less than or equal to five feet below the elevation of the base of the embankment of the next upstream dam.

(17) "State" means the State of Montana and all officers, agents, departments, and political subdivisions thereof. Unless otherwise indicated, "state" means the Director of the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation or the Director's designee.

(18) "United States" means the federal government and all officers, agencies, departments, and political subdivisions thereof. Unless otherwise indicated, for purposes of notification or consent other than service in litigation, "United States" means the Secretary of the Department of the Interior or the Secretary's designee.

(19) "Wildlife Habitat" means a combination of food, water, shelter, and space that sustains wildlife and includes, but is not limited to, riparian areas and the stream flows that sustain them. This definition may not be construed to increase the quantity of the water rights set forth in Article III of this compact.

ARTICLE III WATER RIGHT

The Parties agree that the following water rights are in settlement of the reserved water rights claims of the United States for the Refuge. All water rights described in this Article are subject to Article IV of this compact as well as any specific additional conditions set forth below.

A. Priority date. The Reserved Right for stock, wildlife, and Wildlife Habitat uses within the Refuge described herein has a priority date of December 11, 1936. The United States agrees to subordinate its 1936 Reserved Right to water rights Recognized Under State Law existing on the Effective Date of this compact. Accordingly, any water right Recognized Under State Law with a priority date prior to the Effective Date of this compact is functionally senior in priority to any component of the Reserved Right and is not subject to a call for enforcement or administration by the United States in the exercise of the Reserved Right. The final decree for the United States' Reserved Right must include the above prohibition on call.

B. Quantified instream rights. The United States holds water rights in the following named streams from the point furthest upstream where the Refuge boundary crosses the mainstem stream channel to its confluence with Fort Peck Lake or the Missouri River. The water right is in the amount of one (1) or one-half (1/2) cubic feet per second (cfs) for instream use for the purposes of stock, wildlife, and Wildlife Habitat as set forth in Table 1 and the Abstracts attached to this compact as Appendix 1, and as depicted in Appendix 4. The period of use is from March 1 to June 30. The United States may exercise its quantified instream rights during the period of use provided by this Compact if water is available.

Table 1

Stream Name Amount(cfs) Upstream Limit Downstream Limit Alkali Creek 0.5 NWSW Sec.27 19N29E SESW Sec.36 19N29E Antelope Creek 0.5 NWNE Sec.3 22N23E SESE Sec.21 22N23E Armells Creek 1.0 NWSW Sec.18 21N23E NWSW Sec.32 22N24E Ash Creek 0.5 NWNW Sec.28 22N42E SESW Sec.27 22N42E Bear Creek 0.5 NENE Sec.15 25N42E SWSE Sec.10 25N42E Beauchamp Creek 0.5 NWNE Sec.16 22N28E SESE Sec.35 22N28E Big Coulee Creek 0.5 NWSW Sec.16 21N33E SWSW Sec.12 21N33E Big Dry Creek 1.0 SWSW Sec.26 20N42E NESW Sec.12 20N42E Billy Creek 0.5 SESE Sec.33 22N34E NWNE Sec.22 22N34E Box Creek, North Fork 0.5 SWSW Sec.18 23N42E NENE Sec.19 23N42E Box Creek, South Fork 0.5 SWNW Sec.19 23N42E SENE Sec.19 23N42E Bridge Coulee 0.5 SWNW Sec.1 20N42E NENE Sec.12 20N42E Cabin Coulee 0.5 SESW Sec.21 23N35E SWSE Sec.5 22N36E Carroll Coulee 0.5 SWNW Sec.31 21N26E SENE Sec.22 21N26E Cart Trail Coulee 0.5 NWNW Sec.35 23N33E NENW Sec.1 22N33E Cat Creek 0.5 NWSW Sec.29 23N42E SWSW Sec.28 23N42E Cattle Creek 0.5 SWSE Sec.15 22N39E SWSE Sec.10 22N39E CK Creek 0.5 NWNE Sec.1 22N26E SESE Sec.12 21N27E Crooked Creek (Garfield County) 0.5 SESE Sec.19 22N39E NENE Sec.19 22N39E Sacagawea River/ Crooked Creek 0.5 SWSW Sec.27 20N29E SWNW Sec.36 20N29E Dawson Creek 0.5 NWSW Sec.6 23N42E SWSE Sec.6 23N42E Devils Creek 0.5 NENE Sec.16 21N32E SENW Sec.5 21N32E Doney Coulee 0.5 NWNE Sec.30 23N34E SESW Sec.29 23N34E Duck Creek 0.5 NWNW Sec.1 23N37E NWSE Sec.1 23N37E Duval Creek 0.5 NENW Sec.5 22N24E NWSE Sec.34 22N24E Fifth Coulee 0.5 SWNW Sec.33 25N39E SESE Sec.2 24N39E Fourchette Creek 1.0 NWNW Sec.15 22N30E NWSE Sec.8 22N31E Germaine Coulee 0.5 SESE Sec.22 19N30E SWSW Sec.16 19N30E Gilbert Creek 0.5 SWSE Sec.17 22N40E NESE Sec.4 22N40E Hawley Creek 0.5 NENW Sec.35 22N29E NENE Sec.2 21N28E Hell Creek 0.5 SESE Sec.16 21N37E NWNW Sec.13 21N37E Hilliard Coulee 0.5 NENE Sec.20 26N42E NWSW Sec.17 26N42E Kill Woman Creek 0.5 NENE Sec.3 22N32E SESE Sec.10 22N32E King Coulee 0.5 NWNW Sec.6 23N37E SESW Sec.9 23N37E Lone Tree Creek 0.5 NWSW Sec.34 22N42E NESW Sec.34 22N42E Lost Creek 0.5 SWSE Sec.36 21N31E NWNW Sec.33 21N31E Middle Eighth Coulee 0.5 NENE Sec.28 24N38E SWNE Sec.35 24N38E Nelson Creek 0.5 SESW Sec.26 21N43E NENW Sec.27 21N43E Nichols Coulee 0.5 SWSW Sec.7 22N27E SESE Sec.10 21N27E North Fork Rock Creek 0.5 NENE Sec.21 23N43E SWSE Sec.17 23N43E Norville Creek 0.5 NWNW Sec.36 24N41E NWNW Sec.31 24N42E Renick Coulee 0.5 SESE Sec.24 23N40E NENE Sec.23 23N40E Ried Coulee 0.5 SWSW Sec.18 21N38E NWNE Sec.13 21N37E Rock Creek 1.0 NENE Sec.6 22N25E NWNE Sec.11 21N25E Sand Arroyo 0.5 NWNE Sec.20 24N43E NESW Sec.20 24N43E Sand Creek 0.5 SWSW Sec.16 21N24E NENE Sec.9 21N25E Sandburn Coulee 0.5 SESE Sec.1 19N30E SESE Sec.25 20N30E Seven Blackfoot Creek 0.5 SWSE Sec.13 21N33E NENW Sec.13 21N33E Sevenmile Creek 0.5 NENW Sec.6 22N26E SESE Sec.7 21N27E Seventh Coulee 0.5 NWSW Sec.18 24N39E SWNW Sec.20 24N39E Sherman Coulee 0.5 NESE Sec.33 19N30E NENE Sec.30 19N30E Siparyann Creek 1.0 NWNW Sec.2 22N24E SESE Sec.32 22N25E Sixth Coulee 0.5 NWNW Sec.5 24N39E SWNW Sec.14 24N39E Snap Creek 0.5 SWSW Sec.23 21N42E SENE Sec.26 21N42E Snow Creek 0.5 SWSW Sec.3 21N36E NESW Sec.2 21N36E Soda Creek 0.5 SWNW Sec.33 21N29E SWNW Sec.8 20N30E South Fork Duck Creek 0.5 NWNW Sec.21 25N39E SWNW Sec.14 25N39E South Fork Rock Creek 0.5 SENE Sec.33 23N43E NWNE Sec.32 23N43E Spring Creek 0.5 NESE Sec.11 24N42E SESE Sec.10 24N42E Nancy Russell Creek/ Squaw Creek 0.5 SESE Sec.29 20N31E SWNE Sec.30 20N31E Sutherland Creek 0.5 SWNW Sec.13 23N36E SWSW Sec.18 23N37E Telegraph Creek 0.5 NENW Sec.30 23N31E SWSE Sec.31 23N31E Timber Creek (McCone) 0.5 NENE Sec.17 20N43E SWSE Sec.6 20N43E Two Calf Creek 0.5 NWNW Sec.30 22N23E NENW Sec.28 22N23E Upper Eighth Coulee 0.5 NWSW Sec.33 24N38E SENE Sec.4 23N38E Valentine Creek 0.5 NWNE Sec.10 21N30E SENW Sec.14 22N30E Wilder Creek 0.5 NENW Sec.12 22N25E SWSE Sec.6 21N26E Wyatt Coulee 0.5 NWNW Sec.22 23N34E NESW Sec.22 23N34E

*The downstream end of the quantified reaches of Telegraph Creek and Valentine Creek end at their confluence with Fourchette Creek.

C. Instream Flow right on Musselshell River. The United States holds a water right in the Musselshell River from the point furthest upstream where the mainstem river channel enters U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service owned land within the Refuge (near the SESE of section 11, T.18N, R.29E) to its confluence with Fort Peck Lake as described in the Abstract attached to this compact as Appendix 2. The water right is in the amount of a minimum instream flow of seventy (70) cfs. The water right is for the purposes of stock, wildlife, and Wildlife Habitat and must be Coextensive with any other non-consumptive instream uses during the specified period of use. The period of use for this right is from March 1 to June 30.

D. Wells, ponds, and springs. Water rights for wells, developed springs, and ponds will be recognized and quantified as set forth in the Abstracts attached to this compact as Appendix 3.

E. Conditions to be applied to permits issued after the Effective Date of the Compact. On the Restricted Reaches set forth in Table 2 and depicted in Appendix 5, no new on-stream impoundments may be constructed after the Effective Date of this Compact, except as provided by Article IV.C.

Table 2

Name of Group Name at Endpoint Upper or Lower Quarter Section Township Quarter Range Armells Creek Armells Creek Upper NENE 12 20N21E Armells Creek Lower SWSW 32 22N24E Fargo Coulee Upper NESE 13 20N22E UT of Fargo Coulee Upper SENW 33 21N23E UT of Fargo Coulee Upper NENW 1 20N22E Ash Creek Ash Creek Upper SWSW 11 22N41E Ash Creek Lower SESW 27 22N42E Bear Creek Bear Creek Upper NENE 15 25N42E Bear Creek Lower SWSE 10 25N42E Beauchamp Creek Beauchamp Creek Upper NESW 14 24N26E Beauchamp Creek Lower SESE 35 22N28E Billy Creek Billy Creek Upper SENE 17 21N34E Billy Creek Lower NWNE 22 22N34E Bobcat Creek Bobcat Creek Upper NENE 29 25N42E UT of Bobcat Creek Upper NESW 29 25N42E Bobcat Creek Lower NWNW 30 25N41E Box Creek, North Fork Box Creek, North Fork Upper SENE 4 23N41E UT of Box Creek, North Fork Upper NESW 9 23N41E Box Creek, North Fork Lower NENE 19 23N42E Box Creek, South Fork Box Creek, South Fork Upper NENW 22 23N41E Box Creek, South Fork Lower SENE 19 23N42E Box Elder Creek Box Elder Creek Upper NESW 29 23N32E Box Elder Creek Lower SENE 30 23N31E Bridge Coulee Bridge Coulee Upper SESW 33 21N42E Bridge Coulee Lower NENE 12 20N42E Carpenter Creek Upper NWNW 15 23N35E Carroll Coulee Carroll Coulee Upper SWNW 11 20N25E UT of Carroll Coulee Upper SESE 27 21N25E UT of Carroll Coulee Upper SWSW 1 20N25E UT of Carroll Coulee Upper NWNW 3 20N25E Carroll Coulee Lower SENE 22 21N26E Cat Creek Cat Creek Upper NWNW 34 23N41E Cat Creek Lower SWSW 28 23N42E CK Creek CK Creek Upper NESE 22 24N25E CK Creek Lower SESE 12 21N27E Cottonwood Creek Upper NWNW 36 24N24E Crooked Creek (Garfield County) Crooked Creek (Garfield County) Upper NWNE 4 21N39E Crooked Creek (Garfield County) Lower NENE 19 22N39E Crooked Creek/Sacagawea River Crooked Creek/Sacagawea River Upper SWNW 30 20N28E Crooked Creek/Sacagawea River Lower SENE 35 20N29E Dawson Creek Dawson Creek Upper NENE 3 23N41E Dawson Creek Lower SWSE 6 23N42E Deadman Coulee Deadman Coulee Upper SESE 20 21N32E Deadman Coulee Lower SWNE 22 21N31E Devils Creek Devils Creek Upper SESW 30 21N33E Devils Creek Lower SENW 5 21N32E Doney Coulee Doney Coulee Upper SESW 13 23N33E Doney Coulee Lower SESW 29 23N34E Duval Creek Duval Creek Upper NENW 5 22N24E Duval Creek Lower NWSE 34 22N24E East Fork Crooked Creek East Fork Crooked Creek Upper NWNW 25 22N39E East Fork Crooked Creek Lower SWSE 10 22N39E Fifth Coulee Fifth Coulee Upper NWNW 32 25N39E Fifth Coulee Lower SESE 2 24N39E Fourchette Creek Fourchette Creek Upper NESE 29 23N29E Fourchette Creek Lower NWSW 5 22N31E Germaine Coulee Germaine Coulee Upper SESE 24 19N30E Germaine Coulee Lower SWSW 16 19N30E Gilbert Creek Gilbert Creek Upper SENE 29 22N40E Gilbert Creek Lower NESE 4 22N40E Hell Creek Hell Creek Upper NWSE 27 21N36E Hell Creek Lower NWNW 13 21N37E Hell Hole Coulee Hell Hole Coulee Upper NENE 19 23N34E Hell Hole Coulee Lower NENE 28 23N34E Karsten Coulee Upper NWNW 12 22N28E Kill Woman Creek Kill Woman Creek Upper NESE 27 23N32E Kill Woman Creek Lower SESE 10 22N32E King Coulee King Coulee Upper SWNE 36 24N36E King Coulee Lower SESW 9 23N37E Little Cottonwood Creek Upper NWNE 9 23N24E Lone Tree Creek Lone Tree Creek Upper NENW 27 22N41E Lone Tree Creek Lower NESW 34 22N42E Lost Creek (east Garfield Co.) Lost Creek (east Garfield Co.) Upper SWNE 8 22N42E Lost Creek (east Garfield Co.) Lower SWSW 3 22N42E Lost Creek (west Garfield Co.) Lost Creek (west Garfield Co.) Upper SWSW 32 21N32E Lost Creek (west Garfield Co.) Lower SENW 33 21N31E Middle Eighth Coulee Middle Eighth Coulee Upper NENW 21 24N38E Middle Eighth Coulee Lower SWNE 35 24N38E North Fork Rock Creek North Fork Rock Creek Upper NWNW 36 24N43E North Fork Rock Creek Lower NWNE 20 23N43E Norville Creek Norville Creek Upper NESE 28 24N41E UT of Norville Creek Upper SESE 21 24N41E Norville Creek Lower NWNW 31 24N42E Plum Creek Upper SENW 3 23N35E Renick Coulee Renick Coulee Upper NWNW 32 23N41E Renick Coulee Lower NWNE 23 23N40E Ried Coulee Ried Coulee Upper NESE 32 21N38E Ried Coulee Lower NENE 13 21N37E Rock Creek Rock Creek Upper SWNE 30 24N25E Rock Creek Lower NWNE 11 21N25E Sage Creek Sage Creek Upper NENE 8 23N41E Sage Creek Lower SWSW 31 24N41E Sand Creek Sand Creek Upper NENE 1 20N23E UT of Sand Creek Upper SWSE 35 21N24E UT of Sand Creek Upper SWSE 24 21N23E UT of Sand Creek Upper SWSE 33 21N24E UT of Sand Creek Upper SWSW 26 21N23E UT of Sand Creek Upper SWSE 14 21N23E Sand Creek Lower NENE 9 21N25E Seven Blackfoot Creek Seven Blackfoot Creek Upper SWNW 23 20N34E Seven Blackfoot Creek Lower NENW 13 21N33E Sevenmile Creek Sevenmile Creek Upper SESW 14 23N25E Sevenmile Creek Lower SESE 7 21N27E Sherman Coulee Sherman Coulee Upper NWSW 1 18N30E Sherman Coulee Lower NENE 30 19N30E Short Creek Short Creek Upper SENE 10 21N42E Short Creek Lower SESE 11 21N42E Siparyann Creek Siparyann Creek Upper NENE 5 23N24E Siparyann Creek Lower SESE 32 22N25E Sixth Coulee Sixth Coulee Upper SWNW 31 25N39E Sixth Coulee Lower SWNW 14 24N39E Snap Creek Snap Creek Upper NENE 17 21N42E Snap Creek Lower NENE 26 21N42E Snow Creek Snow Creek Upper NWSW 14 21N35E Snow Creek Lower NESW 2 21N36E Soda Creek UT of Soda Creek Upper SWNE 30 21N29E UT of Soda Creek Upper NESW 31 21N29E UT of Soda Creek Upper NWNE 29 21N29E UT of Soda Creek Upper SESW 31 21N29E UT of Soda Creek Upper NENW 36 21N28E Soda Creek Lower SWNW 8 20N30E Spring Creek Spring Creek Upper NWNE 12 24N42E UT of Spring Creek Upper NESW 33 25N42E UT of Spring Creek Upper NENW 3 24N42E UT of Spring Creek Upper NENE 14 24N42E UT of Spring Creek Upper NWNW 34 25N42E Spring Creek Lower SESE 10 24N42E Stole Creek Stole Creek Upper SWSE 4 24N42E Stole Creek Lower SESE 9 24N42E Sutherland Creek Sutherland Creek Upper SWSW 30 24N36E UT of Sutherland Creek Upper NWNE 34 24N36E Sutherland Creek Lower SWSW 18 23N37E Telegraph Creek Telegraph Creek Upper SESE 25 24N31E Telegraph Creek Lower NWNE 6 22N31E Two Calf Creek Two Calf Creek Upper NENE 22 22N21E Two Calf Creek Lower NWNE 28 22N23E UT of Musselshell River UT of Musselshell River Upper NWSW 17 19N29E UT of Musselshell River Lower SWNW 30 19N30E UT1 of Fort Peck Lake UT1 of Fort Peck Lake Upper NWNE 14 22N40E UT1 of Fort Peck Lake Lower NENW 2 22N40E UT2 of Fort Peck Lake UT2 of Fort Peck Lake Upper NENE 17 24N41E UT2 of Fort Peck Lake Upper SWNW 21 24N41E UT2 of Fort Peck Lake Upper NENE 21 24N41E UT2 of Fort Peck Lake Lower SWNW 15 24N41E UT3 of Fort Peck Lake UT3 of Fort Peck Lake Upper NWSW 35 26N42E UT of UT3 of Fort Peck Lake Upper SENW 34 26N42E UT3 of Fort Peck Lake Lower SENW 4 25N42E UT4 of Fort Peck Lake UT4 of Fort Peck Lake Upper NENE 20 25N42E UT4 of Fort Peck Lake Lower SENE 8 23N42E UT5 of Fort Peck Lake UT5 of Fort Peck Lake Upper SENE 21 25N42E UT of UT5 of Fort Peck Lake Upper SENW 22 25N42E UT5 of Fort Peck Lake Lower SESW 10 25N42E UT6 of Fort Peck Lake UT6 of Fort Peck Lake Upper NWNE 19 25N41E UT6 of Fort Peck Lake Lower SESE 24 25N41E UT7 of Fort Peck Lake UT7 of Fort Peck Lake Upper SESE 14 24N42E UT7 of Fort Peck Lake Lower NWNE 15 24N42E UT8 of Fort Peck Lake UT8 of Fort Peck Lake Upper NWSE 13 24N42E UT8 of Fort Peck Lake Lower SENW 24 24N42E West Fork Sand Arroyo West Fork Sand Arroyo Upper SENE 9 24N43E West Fork Sand Arroyo Lower NESW 20 24N43E Wyatt Coulee Wyatt Coulee Upper SWNE 12 23N33E Wyatt Coulee Lower NESW 22 23N34E

ARTICLE IV COMPACT IMPLEMENTATION

A. Quantified reaches. Flows of designated quantified reaches set forth in Table 1 and Appendix 1 that are not already appropriated as of the Effective Date of this compact will be available for future development, subject to the Reserved Right and applicable permit conditions described herein. The Department may approve new uses after the Effective Date of this compact, but the Department shall condition any permit or approval of new uses to provide that such uses may not cause the quantified reaches to fall below the minimum flows set forth in Table 1 and Appendix 1 during the time period from March 1 to June 30. Appropriations occurring after the Effective Date of this compact will be subject to call by the United States in the exercise of the Reserved Right at any time streamflows are available but fall below the levels set forth in Table 1 and Appendix 1 of this compact, as measured where each quantified stream enters Fort Peck Lake or the Missouri River, or at the closest upstream confluence for those streams that intersect another stream before reaching Fort Peck Lake or the Missouri River, with a proper device for measurement of the waters flowing in the quantified reach.

B. Musselshell River. Musselshell River flows that are not already appropriated as of the Effective Date of this compact will be available for future development subject to the Reserved Right and applicable permit conditions described herein. The Department may approve new uses after the Effective Date of this compact but shall condition any permit or approval of new uses to provide that such uses may not cause the flow of the Musselshell River to fall below seventy (70) cfs where the mainstem river channel enters U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service owned land within the Refuge during the period from March 1 to June 30. Appropriations occurring after the Effective Date of this compact will be subject to a call by the United States in the exercise of the Reserved Right at any time streamflow falls below 70 cfs for five (5) consecutive days.

C. Conditions to be applied to permits issued after the Effective Date of the compact. Impoundments of less than the capacity and appropriation limits excepted from permitting under 85-2-306 , MCA, may be constructed on the stream reaches identified in Table 2 and Appendix 5. These impoundments may not be Stacked to achieve a volume greater than the statutory exception. The Department may permit no new on-stream impoundments that do not meet the permit exception requirements of 85-2-306 , MCA, on the Restricted Reaches identified in Table 2 and Appendix 5.

1. Reclamation, repair, or rehabilitation of an existing impoundment may not be considered a new impoundment, except that reclamation, repair, or rehabilitation cannot cause the impoundment to exceed the storage volume listed on the statement of claim.

2. Off-stream impoundments larger than the capacity and appropriation limits excepted from permitting by 85-2-306 , MCA, may be constructed and filled in accordance with state permitting requirements from a diversion works located on the stream reaches identified in Table 2 and Appendix 5; and

3. On-stream impoundments larger than the capacity and appropriation limits excepted from permitting by 85-2-306 , MCA, may be constructed and filled in accordance with state permitting requirements on the streams identified in Table 2 and Appendix 5 upstream of the designated Restricted Reach.

D. Uses exempted from curtailment by the United States' exercise of the Reserved Right during times of shortage. During times when there is insufficient water to satisfy the Reserved Right, and curtailment of junior water rights is otherwise contemplated under Article III, the following water rights will not be subject to call or curtailment for the benefit of the Reserved Right:

1. Non-Consumptive Uses located upstream of the instream reaches identified in Table I and Appendix 1.

2. Groundwater uses of thirty-five (35) gallons per minute (gpm) or less not to exceed ten (10) AF per year.

3. Stockwater impoundments of less than fifteen (15) AF capacity and total appropriation less than thirty (30) AF per year.

4. Temporary emergency appropriations under 85-2-113 (3), MCA.

5. An application submitted pursuant to 85-20-1401 , MCA, Article VI.

6. An application for a permit to appropriate surface water to conduct response actions related to natural resource restoration required for:

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

b. Aquatic resource activities carried out in compliance with and as required by the federal Clean Water Act of 1977, 33 U.S.C. 1251-1387; or

c. Remedial actions taken pursuant to Title 75, chapter 10, part 7.

E. Action for enforcement of provisions of Article III. The United States may file an original action in a court of competent jurisdiction to enforce the provisions of Article III at any time. The United States cannot be required to exhaust any administrative remedies in order to enforce Article III of this compact.

ARTICLE V GENERAL PROVISIONS

A. The Parties recognize that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has an interest in maintaining water flow and wildlife habitat throughout the Refuge.

B. No effect on tribal rights or other federal reserved water rights.

1. The relationship between the water rights of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service described herein and any rights to water of an Indian Tribe in Montana, or of any federally derived water right of an individual, or of the United States on behalf of a Tribe or individual shall be determined by the rule of priority.

2. Nothing in this compact may be construed or interpreted in any manner to establish the nature, extent, or manner of administration of the rights to water of any Indian Tribes and Tribal members in the State of Montana.

3. Nothing in this compact is otherwise intended to conflict with or abrogate a right or claim of an Indian Tribe regarding boundaries or property interests in the State of Montana.

4. Nothing in this compact may be construed or interpreted in any manner to establish the nature, extent, or manner of administration of the rights to water of any other federal agency or federal lands in the State of Montana other than those of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for the Charles M. Russell National Wildlife Refuge.

C. General Disclaimers. Nothing in this Compact may be construed or interpreted:

1. As a precedent for the litigation of reserved water rights or the interpretation or administration of existing or future compacts between the United States and the State; or of the United States and any other state;

2. As a waiver by the United States of its right under state law to raise objections in state court to individual water rights claimed pursuant to the state Water Use Act, Title 85, of the Montana Code Annotated, in the basins affected by this compact, or, except as provided in this compact, any right to raise objections in an appropriate forum to individual water rights subject to a provisional permit under the state Water Use Act, Title 85, of the Montana Code Annotated, in the basins affected by this compact;

3. As a waiver by the United States of its right to seek relief from a conflicting water use not entitled to protection under the terms of this compact;

4. To establish a precedent for other agreements between the State and the United States or an Indian tribe;

5. To determine the relative rights, inter se, of persons using water under the authority of state law or to limit the rights of the parties or a person to litigate an issue not resolved by this compact;

6. To authorize the taking of a water right that is vested under state or federal law;

7. To create or deny substantive rights through headings or captions used in this compact;

8. To expand or restrict any waiver of sovereign immunity existing pursuant to federal law as of the Effective Date of this compact;

9. To affect or determine the applicability of any state or federal law, including, without limitation, environmental and public safety laws, on activities of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service;

10. To affect the right of the State to seek fees or reimbursement for costs or the right of the United States to contest the imposition of fees or costs, pursuant to a ruling by a state or federal court of competent jurisdiction or an act of Congress;

11. To affect, in any manner, the entitlement to or quantification of other federal water rights. This compact is binding on the United States solely in regard to the water rights of the United States for the Charles M. Russell National Wildlife Refuge, and this compact does not affect the water rights of any other federal agency that is not a successor in interest to the water rights subject to this compact.

D. Use of water right. Non-use of all or a part of the Reserved Right may not constitute abandonment of the right. The Reserved Right need not be applied to a use deemed beneficial under state law, but must be restricted to uses necessary to fulfill the purposes outlined in the Order.

E. Coextensive with other non-consumptive instream water uses. The Reserved Right for Instream Flows for the Refuge described in this compact must be Coextensive with any other non-consumptive instream water uses, and may not be cumulative to other instream uses.

F. Appropriation pursuant to State law. Nothing in this compact may prevent the United States from seeking a water appropriation pursuant to state law for use on the reserved land within the Refuge or for use outside the boundaries of the federal reservation for which a water right is described in this compact. A water right obtained in this manner shall be Recognized Under State Law and must be administered pursuant to state law.

G. Reservation of rights. The Parties expressly reserve all rights not granted, described, or relinquished in this compact.

H. Severability. The provisions of this compact are not severable.

I. Multiple originals. This compact is executed in quintuplicate. Each of the five (5) compacts bearing original signatures must be deemed an original.

J. Notice. Unless otherwise specifically provided for in this compact, service of notice, except service in litigation, must be:

1. State. Upon the Director of the Department or its successor agency, and such other officials as the Director may designate in writing.

2. United States. Upon the Secretary of the Interior and such other officials as the Secretary may designate in writing.

ARTICLE VI FINALITY OF COMPACT

A. Binding effect.

1. The Effective Date of this Compact is the date of the ratification of this compact by the Montana legislature, written approval by the United States Department of the Interior, and written approval by the United States Department of Justice. Once effective, all of the provisions of this compact shall be binding on:

a. The State and a person or entity of any nature whatsoever using, claiming or in any manner asserting a right under the authority of the State to the use of water; and

b. Except as otherwise provided in Article V, Section B, the United States, a person or entity of any nature whatsoever using, claiming, or in any manner asserting a right under the authority of the United States to the use of water.

2. Following the Effective Date, this compact may not be modified without the written consent of the Parties. Any attempt to unilaterally modify this compact by either Party shall render this compact voidable at the election of the other Party.

B. Settlement of claims. The Parties intend that the Reserved Right described in this compact is in full and final settlement of the reserved water right claims of the United States for the Charles M. Russell National Wildlife Refuge. Pursuant to this settlement, by which certain federal reserved water rights are expressly recognized by the State in this compact, the United States hereby and in full settlement of any and all claims filed by the United States or which could have been filed by the United States for the Refuge relinquishes forever all said claims on the Effective Date of this compact to water within the State of Montana for federal reserved water rights for the above mentioned unit. The State agrees to recognize the Reserved Right described and quantified herein, and shall, except as expressly provided for herein, treat them in the same manner as any other appropriation.

C. The parties agree to defend the provisions and purposes of this compact from all challenges and attacks.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF the representatives of the State of Montana and the United States have signed this Compact on the 11th day of May, 2015.
Mont. Code Ann. § 85-2-102 — MT Code / Title 85 / Chapter 2 / Part 1 / Section 85-2-102
85-2-102 Definitions
Status: reserved

85-2-102 . Definitions. Unless the context requires otherwise, in this chapter, the following definitions apply:

(1) "Appropriate" or "appropriation" means:

(a) to divert, impound, or withdraw, including by stock for stock water, a quantity of water for a beneficial use;

(b) in the case of a public agency, to reserve water in accordance with 85-2-316 ;

(c) in the case of the department of fish, wildlife, and parks, to change an appropriation right to instream flow to protect, maintain, or enhance streamflows to benefit the fishery resource in accordance with 85-2-436 ;

(d) in the case of the United States department of agriculture, forest service:

(i) instream flows and in situ use of water created in 85-20-1401 , Article V; or

(ii) to change an appropriation right to divert or withdraw water under subsection (1)(a) to instream flow to protect, maintain, or enhance streamflows in accordance with 85-2-320 ;

(e) temporary changes or leases for instream flow to maintain or enhance instream flow to benefit the fishery resource in accordance with 85-2-408 ;

(f) a use of water for aquifer recharge or mitigation; or

(g) a use of water for an aquifer storage and recovery project as provided in 85-2-368 .

(2) "Appropriation right" has the same meaning as "water right" as defined in this section.

(3) "Aquifer recharge" means either the controlled subsurface addition of water directly to the aquifer or controlled application of water to the ground surface for the purpose of replenishing the aquifer to offset adverse effects resulting from net depletion of surface water.

(4) "Aquifer storage and recovery project" means a project involving the use of an aquifer to temporarily store water through various means, including but not limited to injection, surface spreading and infiltration, drain fields, or another department-approved method. The stored water may be either pumped from the injection well or other wells for beneficial use or allowed to naturally drain away for a beneficial use.

(5) "Beneficial use", unless otherwise provided, means:

(a) a use of water for the benefit of the appropriator, other persons, or the public, including but not limited to agricultural, stock water, domestic, fish and wildlife, industrial, irrigation, mining, municipal, power, and recreational uses;

(b) a use of water appropriated by the department for the state water leasing program under 85-2-141 and of water leased under a valid lease issued by the department under 85-2-141 ;

(c) a use of water by the department of fish, wildlife, and parks through a change in an appropriation right for instream flow to protect, maintain, or enhance streamflows to benefit the fishery resource authorized under 85-2-436 ;

(d) a use of water through a temporary change in appropriation right or lease to enhance instream flow to benefit the fishery resource in accordance with 85-2-408 ;

(e) a use of water through a temporary lease of an appropriation right approved by the department pursuant to 85-2-428 ;

(f) a use of water for aquifer recharge or mitigation; or

(g) a use of water for an aquifer storage and recovery project as provided in 85-2-368 .

(6) "Certificate" means a certificate of water right issued by the department.

(7) (a) "Change in appropriation right" means a change in the place of diversion, the place of use, the purpose of use, or the place of storage.

(b) The term does not include a change in water use related to the method of irrigation.

(8) "Commission" means the fish and wildlife commission provided for in 2-15-3402 .

(9) "Correct and complete" means that the information required to be submitted conforms to the standard of substantial credible information and that all of the necessary parts of the form requiring the information have been filled in with the required information for the department to begin evaluating the information.

(10) "Declaration" means the declaration of an existing right filed with the department under section 8, Chapter 452, Laws of 1973.

(11) "Department" means the department of natural resources and conservation provided for in Title 2, chapter 15, part 33.

(12) "Developed spring" means any point where ground water emerges naturally, that has subsequently been physically altered, and from which ground water flows under natural pressures or is artificially withdrawn.

(13) "Existing right" or "existing water right" means a right to the use of water that would be protected under the law as it existed prior to July 1, 1973. The term includes federal non-Indian and Indian reserved water rights created under federal law and water rights created under state law.

(14) "Ground water" means any water that is beneath the ground surface.

(15) "Late claim" means a claim to an existing right forfeited pursuant to the conclusive presumption of abandonment under 85-2-226 .

(16) "Mitigation" means the reallocation of surface water or ground water through a change in appropriation right or other means that does not result in surface water being introduced into an aquifer through aquifer recharge to offset adverse effects resulting from net depletion of surface water.

(17) "Municipality" means an incorporated city or town organized and incorporated under Title 7, chapter 2.

(18) (a) "National forest system lands" means all lands within Montana that are owned by the United States and administered by the secretary of agriculture through the forest service.

(b) The term does not include any lands within the exterior boundaries of national forest system units that are not owned by the United States and administered by the secretary of agriculture through the forest service.

(19) "Nonconsumptive use" means a beneficial use of water that does not cause a reduction in the source of supply and in which substantially all of the water returns without delay to the source of supply, causing little or no disruption in stream conditions.

(20) "Permit" means the permit to appropriate issued by the department under 85-2-301 through 85-2-303 and 85-2-306 through 85-2-314 .

(21) "Person" means an individual, association, partnership, corporation, state agency, political subdivision, the United States or any agency of the United States, or any other entity.

(22) (a) "Political subdivision" means any county, incorporated city or town, public corporation, or district created pursuant to state law or other public body of the state empowered to appropriate water.

(b) The term does not mean a private corporation, association, or group.

(23) "Salvage" means to make water available for beneficial use from an existing valid appropriation through application of water-saving methods.

(24) "State water reservation" means a water right created under state law after July 1, 1973, that reserves water for existing or future beneficial uses or that maintains a minimum flow, level, or quality of water throughout the year or at periods or for defined lengths of time.

(25) "Stream depletion zone" means an area where hydrogeologic modeling concludes that as a result of a ground water withdrawal, the surface water would be depleted by a rate equal to at least 30% of the ground water withdrawn within 30 days after the first day a well or developed spring is pumped at a rate of 35 gallons a minute.

(26) "Substantial credible information" means probable, believable facts sufficient to support a reasonable legal theory upon which the department should proceed with the action requested by the person providing the information.

(27) "Waste" means the unreasonable loss of water through the design or negligent operation of an appropriation or water distribution facility or the application of water to anything but a beneficial use.

(28) "Water" means all water of the state, surface and subsurface, regardless of its character or manner of occurrence, including but not limited to geothermal water, diffuse surface water, and sewage effluent.

(29) "Water division" means a drainage basin as defined in 3-7-102 .

(30) "Water judge" means a judge as provided for in Title 3, chapter 7.

(31) "Water master" means a master as provided for in Title 3, chapter 7.

(32) (a) "Water right" means the right to appropriate water pursuant to an existing right, a permit, a certificate of water right, a state water reservation, or a compact.

(b) The term does not include an authorized notice of intent to appropriate groundwater pursuant to 85-2-306 .

(33) "Watercourse" means any naturally occurring stream or river from which water is diverted for beneficial uses. It does not include ditches, culverts, or other constructed waterways.

(34) "Well" means any artificial opening or excavation in the ground, however made, by which ground water is sought or can be obtained or through which it flows under natural pressures or is artificially withdrawn.
Mont. Code Ann. § 85-8-407 — MT Code / Title 85 / Chapter 8 / Part 4 / Section 85-8-407
85-8-407 Complaint required -- contents
Status: in_force

85-8-407 . Complaint required -- contents. (1) Said action shall be commenced by filing in the office of the clerk of the district court a complaint which must contain:

(a) the title of the action, the name of the court and the county in which the action is brought, and the names of the parties to the action;

(b) a statement of the facts constituting the cause of the action, in ordinary and concise language;

(c) a demand for the relief which the plaintiff claims.

(2) The complaint shall be verified in the same manner as complaints in other civil actions.
Mont. Code Ann. § 85-7-1713 — MT Code / Title 85 / Chapter 7 / Part 17 / Section 85-7-1713
85-7-1713 Where documents to be filed and proceedings to be held
Status: in_force

85-7-1713 . Where documents to be filed and proceedings to be held. Where the lands of a district lie within more than one county, all petitions, papers, documents, or other instruments shall be filed and proceedings had in the county in which the office of the board is established.
Mont. Code Ann. § 85-7-2103 — MT Code / Title 85 / Chapter 7 / Part 21 / Section 85-7-2103
85-7-2103 All irrigable lands chargeable alike
Status: in_force

85-7-2103 . All irrigable lands chargeable alike. (1) (a) All irrigable lands in each irrigation district and all lands in each subdistrict of the district, except those lands that are included within the district because of the exchange or substitution of water under the provisions of 85-7-1912 , must pay at the same rate for all purposes for which the lands are charged, except as otherwise provided by law. There may be an administrative charge of $5 to $75 against each separately owned tract of land regardless of its size, as provided in 85-7-2104 . The administrative charge is in addition to the annual tax levied under 85-7-2104 .

(b) The administrative charge allowed pursuant to subsection (1)(a) may exceed $75, but if the charge exceeds $75, the charge must be determined based on the actual costs for administration of the district or subdistrict and the actual costs of distribution of water.

(2) Whenever water used for the irrigation of any lands within an irrigation district or subdistrict is obtained by pumping to different elevations, the cost of maintenance, operation, and pumping to each separate elevation must be apportioned and levied upon the lands lying under the ditch or ditches running from that particular elevation, in a manner determined fair and equitable by the board of commissioners after considering the facts in each case. This apportionment must be made by the board of commissioners and included each year in the assessment provided for by 85-7-2104 . The amount of the assessment for maintenance, operation, and pumping of water to each separate elevation, whenever there are different elevations, must be determined by the board in a manner and upon notice to the persons interested in the district or subdistrict as the board in its rules may provide.

(3) Whenever a contract has been made with the United States, the lands within the district or of a subdistrict if the contract substantially benefits the subdistrict, whether originally included or later annexed to the district or subdistrict, must pay in accordance with the federal reclamation laws and the public notices, orders, and regulations issued under the reclamation laws and in compliance with any contracts made by the United States with the owners of the lands and in compliance with the contract between the districts and the United States.

(4) Whenever a contract has been made with the state of Montana, the lands within the district or of a subdistrict if the contract substantially benefits the subdistrict, whether originally included or later annexed to the district or subdistrict, must pay in accordance with state laws and public notices and rules issued under the laws and in compliance with any contract made by the state with the owners of the lands and in compliance with the contract between the district and the state.

(5) Whenever the works necessary for the completed project are constructed progressively over a period of years and whenever a portion of the lands within the district are or can be irrigated 1 year or more before the completion of the entire project, those lands irrigated or that can be irrigated through the built portion of the project must pay for the cost of operating that portion of the project serving them with irrigation water and must also pay the portion of the interest charges as its irrigable area bears to the irrigable area of the entire project.

(6) Whenever lands have appurtenant to the land a partial water right or partial rights in a system of irrigation other than that of the district or subdistrict, the amounts payable must be equitably apportioned.

(7) Whenever the owners of a portion of the lands within an irrigation district choose to install a gravity system to irrigate those lands, the cost of constructing the gravity system must be apportioned among and levied upon the lands irrigated by the gravity system in a manner determined to be equitable by the board. The levy must be included each year in the assessment charged under 85-7-2104 .
Mont. Code Ann. § 85-8-328 — MT Code / Title 85 / Chapter 8 / Part 3 / Section 85-8-328
85-8-328 Corporate nature of drainage district
Status: in_force

85-8-328 . Corporate nature of drainage district. (1) Upon entering of such order of confirmation of said preliminary report of record, such drainage district shall be and is thereby declared to be organized as a drainage district, by the name mentioned in said petition or such other name as the court shall fix, with the boundaries fixed by the order confirming the report of said commissioners, to be a body corporate, by said name fixed in said order, with the right to sue and be sued, to adopt and use a seal, and to have perpetual succession.

(2) The commissioners appointed as aforesaid and their successors in office shall, from the entry of such order of confirmation, constitute the corporate authority of said drainage district, exercise the functions conferred on them by law, and do all things and perform all acts necessary to the construction and preservation of the proposed work.
Mont. Code Ann. § 85-1-902 — MT Code / Title 85 / Chapter 1 / Part 9 / Section 85-1-902
85-1-902 Purpose
Status: in_force

85-1-902 . (Temporary) Purpose. The purpose of the western Montana conservation commission is to protect the existing high quality of western Montana's aquatic resources. (Terminates June 30, 2029--sec. 12, Ch. 428, L. 2023.)
Mont. Code Ann. § 85-7-1943 — MT Code / Title 85 / Chapter 7 / Part 19 / Section 85-7-1943
85-7-1943 Exceptions for certain projects
Status: in_force

85-7-1943 . Exceptions for certain projects. The provisions of 85-7-1941 and 85-7-1942 shall not apply to:

(1) any contract for the completion of works in course of construction by private owners, from whom said works may be acquired under the provisions of 85-7-1904 or 85-7-1905 ;

(2) any contract between the district and the United States.