DNRC notifies Alaska Trail residents about water-rights review; MDT rest area closed for repairs
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Summary
County commissioners said DNRC is sending notices to residents off Alaska Trail about a retroactive review of water rights tied to the Horse Creek Hills case and that an MDT rest area is closed while contractors address water damage.
County commissioners reported two separate public‑resource issues: DNRC notices to residents about water‑rights review in a subdivision off Alaska Trail and the closure of an MDT rest area because of water problems.
A commissioner said residents off Alaska Trail received notices from the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation related to water rights and water use, describing the action as a retroactive review based on the Horse Creek Hills matter referenced in the case Broadwater County v. Upper Missouri Waterkeeper. The commissioner said the county only learned about the notices through a resident and has asked DNRC to keep the commission informed. The meeting record states there is a scheduled meeting related to the notices that the commissioner believes will take place on Nov. 6 at 4 p.m. in the high school community room; that date and location were described in the meeting as believed, not independently verified in the transcript.
Separately, the commission discussed an MDT rest area closure after a staff member received a report that the rest area had water issues. The staff member said MDT is handling repairs; the issue involves flooding in a crawl space and that water was turned off while contractors isolate the problem. MDT staff told county staff they expect to provide additional information by next Wednesday and will email updates to county contacts and Representative Jane Gillette. The staff member said the county cannot repair the MDT facility and directed residents to MDT for official information.
The commissioners asked staff to share any official updates they receive from DNRC or MDT with the public. The county has requested DNRC provide more information as it becomes available.
Ending: County staff will relay DNRC and MDT updates to the public and to commissioners as they arrive. Residents who received DNRC notices were advised to attend the DNRC meeting or contact county staff for more information.
