News Summary
Crazy Mountain Ranch in Montana has confessed to illegal irrigation of its golf course without permits, leading to legal actions by the DNRC. A temporary restraining order halts their irrigation while the ranch outlines plans for compliant water sourcing. The situation has raised concerns among local irrigators about the impact on water resources, illustrating ongoing tensions in the region over water rights.
Livingston, Montana – Crazy Mountain Ranch, located in Park County, has acknowledged its violation of Montana water law after it irrigated its golf course without the necessary permits. This admission came through a court filing, as the ranch’s general manager expressed regret for proceeding with irrigation ahead of the required legal permissions.
The situation has prompted the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC) to pursue a temporary restraining order along with civil remedies against the ranch for its actions. A District Court hearing regarding the DNRC’s requests is scheduled for July 28 in Livingston.
The state agency initiated legal proceedings after identifying that Crazy Mountain Ranch commenced watering its 112-acre golf course, which includes 35 acres of newly installed turf, in June of the previous year without the correct legal authorizations. This action is deemed a breach of the Montana Water Use Act.
On July 18, Judge Matthew Wald issued a temporary order instructing the ranch to cease all irrigation activities on the golf course. In response, representatives from Crazy Mountain Ranch argued that watering the course was essential to safeguarding their significant investment in the costly turf imported from Idaho.
Furthermore, ranch representatives claimed that delays in obtaining water permits and the imposition of additional paperwork by the DNRC contributed to their decision to begin irrigation sans permission. This illegal activity involved diverting water from Rock Creek, sparking frustration among local irrigators and resulting in 15 complaints lodged against the ranch.
To mitigate the situation while waiting for the necessary permits, Crazy Mountain Ranch outlined plans to transport up to 100,000 gallons of water per week from a nearby water plant for golf course irrigation. However, under a consent decree submitted on July 25, the ranch has agreed to discontinue using water from Rock Creek for irrigation purposes.
The consent decree, while allowing the ranch to continue irrigating using purchased water, also mandates that they provide weekly reports on water usage to the DNRC and grant the agency access for inspections of the golf course. The DNRC has indicated that it will forgo imposing penalties unless the ranch breaches the terms of the consent decree; in such a case, fines could reach as high as $1,000 per day.
Crazy Mountain Ranch’s golf course is part of a larger 18,000-acre property developed as a private recreational facility for members. The local ranching community has raised alarms that the ranch’s unauthorized water diversion could have negative impacts on their water supply and overall livelihoods, underscoring ongoing tensions in the Shields River Valley surrounding historical water disputes and limited resources.
The DNRC is actively investigating the complaints filed by local irrigators pertaining to the ranch’s unauthorized water use. Should the DNRC grant approvals for Crazy Mountain Ranch’s water permit applications, the state has indicated that it would drop its injunction against the ranch. Conversely, if these applications are denied, the current injunction will remain in place, prohibiting the ranch from using the contested water rights.
This incident highlights the delicate balance of water resources in Montana, particularly in light of environmental concerns and competing agricultural needs. The situation continues to evolve, with potential implications for both local ranchers and the management of water rights in the region.
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Additional Resources
- KBZK: DNRC Files Lawsuit Against Crazy Mountain Ranch
- Wikipedia: Water Law
- NBC Montana: Golf Course Sparks Water Rights Clash
- Google Search: Montana Water Rights
- KBZK: Rising Tensions at Crazy Mountain Ranch
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Water Right
- NBC Montana: DNRC Files Cease and Desist Against Crazy Mountain Ranch
- Google Scholar: Montana Water Law
Author: STAFF HERE MILWAUKEE WRITER
MILWAUKEE STAFF WRITER The MILWAUKEE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREMilwaukee.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Milwaukee, Milwaukee County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Summerfest, Milwaukee Film Festival, and the Milwaukee Boat Show. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce and Visit Milwaukee, plus leading businesses in manufacturing and brewing that power the local economy such as Harley-Davidson and MillerCoors. As part of the broader HERE network, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Wisconsin's dynamic landscape.
