A new Montana law that took effect in early October allows short-term water leasing, giving water rights holders the ability to temporarily share their supply without permanently giving it up. The measure updates a 2013 program that supported the Bakken oil fields and expired in 2019.
Officials called it a “good neighbor” bill designed to encourage cooperation and ease shortages. The law received broad support from farmers, conservationists, and industry groups, who see it as a tool to help address declining water flow and fish populations. It allows leases of up to 40 days per year for five years within a 10-year period, offering flexibility for users ranging from irrigators to industrial projects.
Supporters say the law represents a rare point of agreement among ranchers, environmentalists, and lawmakers in Montana’s ongoing water debates. Advocates hope the new approach will keep crops growing, taps running, and streams flowing, ensuring Montana’s most precious resource is managed and shared responsibly.
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