Beginning of the End?

[BirdManMike]

Does the regulating authority for water rights monitor the water levels of the river? I think that is the most important question. I'm minutes from the Shields. That gets very low in the summer.

I hate golf courses. Talk about environmentally unfriendly. Not just water use. The chemicals they leach into water systems can be devastating. I'm originally from the east. I've seen what they do to streams first hand.

I dont believe there is a minimum flow requirement for the Shields. Many of those with rights further down in priority just cant pull water because it becomes too low.

I also live on the river and it seems lower each summer with irrigation going longer into the fall. There isnt a tributary from the Yellowstone confluence to Wilsall (and a bit further above town) that isnt dry from irrigation before making it into the river from July thru September. Its a really unhealthy river, in general, and will just get worse with the golf course.

 

[Benfromalbuquerque]

Montana holds the distinction of being the State with possibly the most violence over range use. If not Wyoming then it would be Montana. Maybe Montanans still have the fight in them. It’s not the end until no one is fighting. At the ballot box, in District court or any other way, so long as someone is willing to fight, it’s not the end.

 

[MTTW]

Montanans can be bought just like anyone else. That is how this will end. They can be bought easier after you take the water.
It isn't the end, just the end of an Era. I would bet it all that they keep watering that golf course

 

[Irrelevant]

A few ranches, maybe 2 handfuls at most, may be affected if they are pulling for irrigation from the affected Shields tributaries.

There is more water allocated as water rights than there is actual water in the valley.

Overallocation is the gold standard in the West.
IDK Montana water law specifically, but in WA, every existing water user downstream has a valid claim against the illicit user. And they would absolutely be hitting them with a damages claim. Water rights are one of the few laws I feel are consistently enforced in the West. I'm really surprised they're as bold about illegal use as they are. A judge should be able to enforce an injunction against them and their million dollar grass.

 

[Straight Arrow]

It isn't the end, just the end of an Era.

"The sons of the sons of our sons will not know The Last Best Place. They will know just another place with bad water."
Gallatin Straight Arrow, elder of Absaroka Smarti-pants nation.

 

[BirdManMike]

Overallocation is the gold standard in the West.
IDK Montana water law specifically, but in WA, every existing water user downstream has a valid claim against the illicit user. And they would absolutely be hitting them with a damages claim. Water rights are one of the few laws I feel are consistently enforced in the West. I'm really surprised they're as bold about illegal use as they are. A judge should be able to enforce an injunction against them and their million dollar grass.

I hope they do. I dont know why they havent.

 

[MTTW]

I believe that the state still owns water rights on the Shields, maybe they borrow water from GG until it gets settled. He loaned them to the ranchers a few years ago.

 

[TOGIE]

Overallocation is the gold standard in the West.
IDK Montana water law specifically, but in WA, every existing water user downstream has a valid claim against the illicit user. And they would absolutely be hitting them with a damages claim. Water rights are one of the few laws I feel are consistently enforced in the West. I'm really surprised they're as bold about illegal use as they are. A judge should be able to enforce an injunction against them and their million dollar grass.

we might be missing some details on the situation as the "article" is a letter to the editor and quoted John Dutton to help make a point.

 

[MTTW]

The city of Big Timber is set to sell millions of gallons of its water to Crazy Mountain Ranch

The development comes after state regulators restricted the exclusive ranch’s access to Rock Creek water.

montanafreepress.org

 

[mtmuley]

I hate what parts of Montana are becoming. mtmuley

 

[BAKPAKR]

This whole issue begs the question — do your cojones grow because you have lots of wealth or does your wealth grow because you have big cojones?

 

[mtmuley]

This whole issue begs the question — do your cojones grow because you have lots of wealth or does your wealth grow because you have big cojones?

I'm gonna say the latter. Been around quite a few really wealthy folks through the years. All of them confident and not scared. The majority self made. Just my take. mtmuley

 

[Tmbrgost]

This whole issue begs the question — do your cojones grow because you have lots of wealth or does your wealth grow because you have big cojones?

Their perception is their reality. I have experienced a dozens of “wealthy” people in my career and only a couple left good memories of true confidence. The rest were like cake donuts with sprinkles on them…..take away the sprinkles and you just have a plain, boring, zero confident projecting old donut!