HELENA, Mont. (October 23, 2023) – The Montana Stockgrowers Association (MSGA), in partnership with other organizations who represent ranchers, farmers, business owners, cities, counties, local governments, irrigation districts and ditch companies, today filed a joint amicus brief with the Supreme Court of Montana supporting Tintina Montana, Inc. and the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation regarding whether every person who manipulates or interacts with water should be required to obtain a water right, even when there is no beneficial use of water.
The case, TU v Tintina, involves Trout Unlimited and other conservation objectors who asked the court to fundamentally redefine what a water right is in Montana. They argue that the Tintina mine should be required to obtain a water right for water that will infiltrate into underground mine tunnels that Tintina will not use, but instead will re-infiltrate back into the groundwater aquifer.
“MSGA and our partners represent the largest and oldest water rights holders and water users in Montana,” stated Raylee Honeycutt, MSGA Executive Vice President. “A fundamental rewrite of the Water Use Act will broadly impact thousands of other legal manipulations of water. Changing the definition of beneficial use, the basis for every water right in Montana, will have profound unintended consequences for Montana ranchers.”
The consequences of the case go far beyond the proposed Tintina mine. The objector’s desire to change the law would require MSGA’s members to obtain a water right for nearly any interaction with water on their property, even when there is no proposed use of water. Beneficial use, as currently defined by Montana statute, is clear and its meaning should not be disturbed or expanded by the courts.
The Montana Stockgrowers Association is a grassroots membership organization and is the trusted voice of cattle ranchers. With a 135 year history, MSGA advocates and ensures cattle ranching remains relevant, safe and a sustainable way of life for generations to come.
CONTACT:
Keni Reese
Director of Marketing & Communications
406-442-3420
To view more MSGA news, visit https://mtbeef.org/news/
