Collaborating to Create Change that Works.
Montana is at a crossroads of new opportunities in water management and administration. We need to protect existing uses while still ensuring reliable supplies for growing communities and economies. The Comprehensive Water Review is the evaluation and reformation of state water administration undertaken by the Department to meet future water needs and protect existing users in the state of Montana. The Stakeholder Working Group is a facilitated forum for the Department to work alongside stakeholders on developing policy reforms for priority issues.
The 2023-24 Comprehensive Water Review Stakeholder Working Group has concluded its work. DNRC wishes to thank the Working Group Members for their extraordinary commitment developing innovative and inclusive recommendations for water administrative policy. Over the course of 18 months, the Stakeholder Working Group considered a diverse array of solutions related to its two focus areas: Final Decree Transition, and Planning, Growth, and Exempt Wells. Ultimately, the group voted to approve five bill draft recommendations and two policy recommendations over the course of eighteen months:.
SB 190: Waiver of Adverse Effect
- Bill Handout
- Introduced Bill Language (External link to the Legislature's Bill Explorer)
- Section-by-section Analysis
HB 441: Alignment of Provisional Water Rights with Final Decrees
- Bill Handout
- Introduced Bill Language (External link to the Legislature's Bill Explorer)
- Section-by-section Analysis
HB 886: Efficient Administration of Water Rights (Role of the Judiciary)
SB 358: Exempt Wells
- Bill Handout
- Introduced Bill Language (External Link to the Legislature's Bill Explorer)
- Section-by-section Analysis
- DNRC Recommendation on Criteria for Designation of Closure and Monitoring Areas for Water Quantity
HB 432: Exceptions to the Change Process
- Bill Handout
- Introduced Bill Language (External link to the Legislature's Bill Explorer)
- Section-by-section Analysis
HB 256: Creating the Montana Water Development State Special Revenue Account
- Bill Handout
- Introduced Bill
- Note: this bill was not drafted by the Stakeholder Working Group, but would promote the group's recommendation that the State invest substantially in water storage.
*Note: Language is subject to additional non-substantive revision by the Legislative Services Division in order to conform to bill drafting standards. The drafts linked above will be updated to reflect the Introduced version if and when the bill is introduced in the Montana Legislature.
Looking for Meeting Materials?
Recordings and documents from each monthly full-day meeting of the Stakeholder Working Group are available on the "Meetings and Materials" page. In addition, the members of the Stakeholder Working Group divided into two sub-working groups to dig deep on the priority issues and develop options and recommendations for the path forward. You can visit the sub-working groups’ pages to review these archives.
| Monthly Meetings and Materials | Exempt Wells, Water Planning, and Growth Sub-Working Group | Final Decree Transition Sub-Working Group |
Stakeholder Working Group Water Bill Webinar Series
In December, members of the Comprehensive Water Review Stakeholder Working Group and DNRC staff hosted a webinar series to provide a detailed look at the stakeholder-generated bills recommended for consideration during the 2025 Legislative Session. These recordings:
- Explain how the bills solve identified issues related to water quantity, availability, and water rights processes;
- Provide a detailed overview of the solution each bill proposes; and
- Discuss considerations the SWG weighed in reaching its recommendations
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December 10, 2024
12 p.m. - 1 p.m.
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December 12, 2024
12 p.m. - 1 p.m.
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December 19, 2024
12 p.m. - 1 p.m.
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| Watch the Recording | Watch the Recording | Watch the Recording |
2023-24 Stakeholder Working Group MembersThe Stakeholder Working Group members were selected through and application process. Each member committed to engaging in collaborative deliberation. |
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Abby Brown (Water Attorney) Alan Olson (Industrial) Andrew Gorder (Conservation) Arnold Bighorn (Tribal) Brian Heaston (Municipal) Clayton Elliot (Recreation) Spencer Woith (Domestic and New Development) Jan Thomson-Rouse (Hydropower)
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Jocelyn Cahill (Irrigation) Julie Merritt (Water Consultant) Kelly Lynch (Municipal) Mark Taylor (Domestic and New Development) Nicole Rolf (Stock Water) Raylee Honeycutt (Stock Water) Ryan McLane (Water Attorney) Vicki Baker (Irrigation) |
Key Challenges of the Comprehensive Water Review
Stakeholder Engagement, Outreach, and Education
Consistent and proactive water education and outreach activities are necessary to provide a foundation for the informed management of Montana’s water resources now and into the future.
Comprehensive Water Review Background
After nearly 50 years of implementation and targeted adjustments, the Water Use Act and associated regulations and policies need a comprehensive review to ensure that water administration and management is serving the current and future water needs of Montana. Benefits of this review include streamlined and consistent administrative processes, improved customer service, responsible and innovative development, and efficient administration of Montana’s water resources. The results of this effort must also uphold the core principles of the Water Use Act for current and future water appropriators. This review of water right administration and management requires significant stakeholder input and a comprehensive look so that Montana can meet its water needs of the 21st Century.
In 2021, DNRC’s Water Rights Division (WRD) set out to listen and learn from Montana water users in order to comprehensively evaluate and reform state water administration while also upholding the core principles of the Water Use Act for current and future appropriators. With input from hundreds of members of the public, WRD identified and prioritized key challenges that we must address to ensure streamlined and consistent administrative processes, improved customer service, and responsible and innovative development of Montana’s water resources.
Learn More about the Comprehensive Water Review
In 2022, WRD formed two Stakeholder Working Groups to tackle priority challenges through intensive, constructive, and deliberative dialogue. The extraordinary dedication of the Stakeholder Working Group members produced two bills introduced in the 2023 session, both sponsored by DNRC.
Learn More about the 2022 Stakeholder Working Groups
Public participation is critical to the success of the Comprehensive Water Review and the Stakeholder Working Group, and we are grateful to hear your input and concerns. Do you have questions or feedback for the Stakeholder Working Group or suggestions for how we can make public engagement more meaningful and accessible? Email us!
