Montana § 85-1-704 Prioritization Of Water Storage Projects -- Governor's Report

Montana Statutes

§ 85-1-704 — Prioritization Of Water Storage Projects -- Governor's Report

Montana § 85-1-704

Title 85WATER USE

Ch. 1WATER RESOURCES

Part 7Water Storage Policy

This text of Montana § 85-1-704 (Prioritization Of Water Storage Projects -- Governor's Report) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering Montana primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook

Mont. Code Ann. § 85-1-704 (2026).

Text

85-1-704 . Prioritization of water storage projects -- governor's report.

(1)The governor shall submit to the legislature a report in accordance with 5-11-210 identifying specific water storage projects proposed for development, including the rehabilitation of existing projects and new project proposals. The report must contain:

(a)a list of water storage project priorities;

(b)an implementation strategy for each priority project that identifies the resources (including specific budget requests), government actions, and other actions needed to accomplish the project; and

(c)a progress report on the development of water storage projects during the previous 2 years.

(2)In setting priorities among new water storage projects, the governor shall consider whether a project:

(a)solves a sev

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85-1-704 . Prioritization of water storage projects -- governor's report. (1) The governor shall submit to the legislature a report in accordance with 5-11-210 identifying specific water storage projects proposed for development, including the rehabilitation of existing projects and new project proposals. The report must contain:
(a) a list of water storage project priorities;
(b) an implementation strategy for each priority project that identifies the resources (including specific budget requests), government actions, and other actions needed to accomplish the project; and
(c) a progress report on the development of water storage projects during the previous 2 years.
(2) In setting priorities among new water storage projects, the governor shall consider whether a project:
(a) solves a severe water problem;
(b) provides multiple uses and benefits;
(c) provides for public uses;
(d) shows strong evidence of broad citizen support;
(e) is able to obtain nonstate sources of funding;
(f) protects and seeks to enhance social, ecological, cultural, and aesthetic values;
(g) improves local and state economic development;
(h) could resolve Indian and federal reserved water rights issues;
(i) supports water conservation activities; and
(j) promotes the use of water reserved under Montana law.
(3) In setting priorities among water storage rehabilitation projects, the governor shall consider whether the project:
(a) is needed to protect public safety;
(b) has impacts if not repaired or rehabilitated; and
(c) accomplishes the goals listed in subsections (2)(a) through (2)(j).
(4) In establishing budget priorities for the allocation of state water storage development funds:
(a) first preference must be given to projects that resolve threats to life and property posed by high-hazard facilities that are in an unsafe condition;
(b) second preference must be given to projects that improve or expand existing water storage facilities; and
(c) third preference must be given to the planning and construction of new water storage facilities.