Water Rights/Use Articles

Farm Bureau dismayed with Arizona court water rule decision

9/1/2021

The Montana Farm Bureau expressed disappointment with the District of Arizona court ruling to vacate the Navigable Waters Protection Rule.

It’s baaack: WOTUS and the government land grab

7/23/2021

There is some confusion about what the EPA is proposing but they are definitely saying that they are going to repeal and replace. They will focus on ephemeral features and adjacent wetlands. This will definitely be a step back from the clarity that the Navigable Waters Protection rules provided.

Water Rule Reversal a Blow to Agriculture

6/11/2021

American and Montana Farm Bureau Federations were extremely disappointed on hearing the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) announcement of its intention to reverse the Navigable Waters Protection Rule.

Ag groups, State prevail in water rights case

4/15/2021

The Montana Farm Bureau is applauding a success story with the First Judicial District Court – Lewis & Clark County, dismissing the Advocates for School Trust Lands case. The State of Montana was a defendant in the water rights case.

Farm Bureau applauds passage of essential water rights bill

7/30/2020

MFBF applauds the passage of the Montana Water Rights Protection Act out of the Committee on Indian Affairs. The legislation was introduced by Senator Steve Daines and co-sponsored by Senator Jon Tester.

Make an impact, make it personal

3/18/2020

We may never know when a personal comment might actually change the direction of a law or policy.

Federal legislation introduced to ratify CSKT Water Compact

12/16/2019

U.S. Senator Steve Daines (R – MT) has introduced federal legislation, cosponsored by U.S. Senator Jon Tester (D - MT), that ratifies the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes water compact.

Farm Bureau cheers repeal of onerous water rule

9/13/2019

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers said WOTUS vastly and unclearly expanded the definition of “Waters of the United States” beyond the limits imposed by Congress and affirmed by the U.S. Supreme Court.

Federal Court sends illegal water rule back to EPA

8/23/2019

A federal court says the 2015 Waters of the United States (WOTUS) rule is unlawful under the Clean Water Act because of its “vast expansion of jurisdiction over waters and land traditionally within the states’ regulatory authority.”

Farm Bureau applauds state land water bill becoming Montana law

5/22/2019

HB 286 clarifies that the state of Montana may only obtain an ownership interest in a water right or ground water development works if a court determines the state is an owner of that water right or if the state is in possession of a deed transferring ownership of the water right.