The proponent, Central Montana Regional Water Authority, is requesting a 30’ Right-of-Way across Section 16, Township 10 North, Range 27 East in Musselshell County for the purpose of installing an 8” water pipeline system that is known as the Musselshell Judith Rural Water System (MJRWS). Construction of the MJRWS would provide safe and reliable water for drinking, household uses, livestock, and yard irrigation (not crop irrigation) to member communities and individual rural members of the Central Montana Rural Water Authority (CMRWA). The MJRWS was designed to serve a population of 7,300 people in the CMRWA member communities. The proposed easement will encumber ±3.95-acres. Central Montana Rural Water Authority (CMRWA) is proposing the construction of Phase 2 through 5 of the Musselshell Judith Rural Water System (MJRWS). Phase 1 was completed in 2022 with the construction of the well field near Ubet and a main branch line to Harlowton with U.S. Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) funding. Phase 2 through 5 would be constructed with U.S. Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) funding and include the construction of approximately 200 miles of pipeline to individual residents and towns along the Musselshell River in central Montana. Towns that would be serviced include Rygate, Lavina, Broadview, Roundup, Musselshell, and Melstone. The CMRWA proposed action includes maintaining the newly constructed well field with a maximum daily demand of 1,750 gpm for the current population and 2,720 gpm for an estimated population in 2065. Further, four storage facilities and associated features are part of the distribution network: a 550,000 gallon tank northwest of Judith Gap, a 150,000 gallon tank southeast of Utica, a 550,000 gallon tank just west of Rothiemay, and a 100,000 gallon tank west of Broadview.