Open AccessMitigating for Growth: A Blueprint for a Ground Water Exchange Pilot Program in Montana
Author(s) -
Ziemer Laura,
Bates Sarah,
Casey Meg,
Montague Ada
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
journal of contemporary water research and education
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1936-704X
pISSN - 1936-7031
DOI - 10.1111/j.1936-704x.2012.03111.x
Subject(s) - blueprint , legislature , legislative process , scale (ratio) , environmental planning , process (computing) , environmental science , groundwater , business , environmental resource management , engineering , political science , geography , computer science , law , cartography , mechanical engineering , operating system , geotechnical engineering
Over the last decade, Montana's fastest growing basins have experienced a surge of reliance on a certain “permit‐exempt well loophole,” which enables small ground water diversions to avoid having to go through the regulatory process that determines whether the proposed use would adversely impact senior water users and ground water supply. This loophole has generated significant conflict with senior right owners in areas where exempt wells have provided water for large‐scale residential developments. As a partial solution, this article examines ground water mitigation exchanges designed to address similar issues in Washington and presents the 63rd Montana Legislature with recommendations for a Montana pilot project.