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Montana Conjunctive Use Water Management Conference

Missoula MT, June 8-9, 2009

The University of Montana’s Department of Geography and the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation co-convened a conference entitled “Montana Conjunctive Water Management Conference.” The conference was held in order to examine how conjunctive management of surface and groundwater is occurring in Montana and elsewhere in the West. It was attended by 79 registrants and another dozen nonregistered people.

On June 8, the conference agenda focused on introducing the regulatory framework that Montana has in place for surface and ground water regulation. A presentation on the Montana Bureau of Mines and Geology’s Ground Water Investigation Program was also given. Finally, a panel consisting of a hydrogeologist, a water rights attorney, an environmental consultant and the Executive Director of the Montana Water Trust discussed acquiring permits for new ground water developments and water right changes (including instream flows). The agenda on June 9 included one panel discussion, entitled “Conjunctive Surface and Ground Water Management in Other States,” followed by a break-out session during which four groups discussed assigned topics and then listed issues needing additional consideration.

The presenters were a diverse group including hydrologists, engineers, a lawyer, an environmental compliance director, a director of a nonprofit environmental organization and a Vice President of an aquaculture company. The Administrator of the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation’s Water Resources Division opened the conference.