2023 Montana Code Annotated › Title 67. Aeronautics › Chapter 2. Department of Transportation Aeronautical Powers and Duties › Part 3. State Airports › 67-2-301. State airports -- acquisition

67-2-301. State airports -- acquisition.
(1) The department may, on behalf of and in the name of this state:
(a) acquire real or personal property by purchase, gift, devise, lease, condemnation proceedings pursuant to Title 70, chapter 30, or otherwise for the purpose of establishing and constructing airports, restricted landing areas, and other air navigation facilities;
(b) acquire in like manner, own, control, establish, construct, enlarge, improve, maintain, equip, operate, regulate, and police airports, restricted landing areas, and other air navigation facilities either within or outside of this state;
(c) prior to acquisition, make investigations, surveys, and plans;
(d) erect, install, construct, and maintain facilities at those airports for the servicing of aircraft and for the comfort and accommodation of air travelers; and
(e) dispose of any property, airport, restricted landing area, or other air navigation facility by sale, lease, or otherwise in accordance with the laws of this state governing the disposition of other similar property of the state.
(2) The department may not acquire or take over an airport, restricted landing area, or other air navigation facility owned or controlled by a municipality of this state without the consent of the municipality. The department may erect, equip, operate, and maintain at an airport all buildings and equipment necessary and proper to establish, maintain, and conduct the airport and air navigation facilities connected with the airport.
(3) When necessary, in order to provide unobstructed air space for the landing and taking off of aircraft utilizing airports and restricted landing areas acquired or operated under the provisions of this title, the department may acquire, in the manner provided for the acquisition of property for airport purposes, easements through or other interests in air space over land or water, interests in airport hazards outside the boundaries of the airports or restricted landing areas, and other airport protection privileges that are necessary to ensure safe approaches to the landing areas of airports and restricted landing areas and the safe and efficient operation of them. The department may also acquire in the same manner the right or easement, for a term of years or perpetually, to place or maintain suitable marks for the daytime marking and suitable lights for the nighttime marking of airport hazards, including the right of ingress and egress to or from the airport hazards for the purpose of maintaining and repairing the lights and marks. This authority does not limit the right, power, or authority of the state or a municipality to zone property adjacent to an airport or restricted landing area pursuant to a law of this state.
(4) The department may engage in the activities listed in subsections (1) through (3) jointly with the United States, with other states, and with municipalities or other agencies of this state.
(5) For the purpose of acquiring any property that it is authorized to acquire, the department may exercise the right of eminent domain, in the name of the state, in the manner provided in Title 70, chapter 30. The acquisition of property for any of the purposes listed in this section is a public use.
History: En. Sec. 19, Ch. 152, L. 1945; amd. Sec. 35, Ch. 348, L. 1974; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 232, L. 1977; R.C.M. 1947, 1-401(1) thru (5); amd. Sec. 36, Ch. 125, L. 2001.