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Land Board approves objection on water-right application after executive session; routine land items pass unanimously
Summary
At its Feb. 18 meeting in Helena, the Montana Board of Land Commissioners approved routine land transactions unanimously and authorized filing an objection on a water-right application after an executive session; the water-right motion passed 4-1.
The Montana Board of Land Commissioners met Feb. 18, 2025, in the Supreme Court Chambers at the Mazurek Justice Building in Helena and approved a series of routine land-management items and a motion to authorize filing an objection on a contested water-right application.
Amanda Kaster, director at DNRC, gave overviews for each agenda item. The board unanimously approved minutes from January and routine items including adoption of Roberts Rules (item 0225-1), several timber-sale proposals (0225-2), minimum bids for cabin and home sites (0225-3), and proposed easements (0225-4). Motions to approve those items were moved and seconded by board members and carried unanimously.
Item 0225-5, recorded as “Approval to File Objection on Water Right,” was discussed in executive session after a motion by James Brown and a second by Christi Jacobsen to enter closed session. After the executive session, the public-comment period for that item included remarks from Jocelyn Cahill of the Ag Water Rights Alliance. Susie Hedalen moved to approve filing an objection on the water-right application; James Brown seconded. The motion carried 4-1. The record does not specify which board member voted against the motion.
Board members present were Governor Greg Gianforte; Susie Hedalen, Superintendent of Public Instruction; Austin Knudsen, Attorney General; James Brown, Commissioner of Securities and Insurance; and Christi Jacobsen, Secretary of State. Testifying staff included Amanda Kaster, DNRC Director. No other general public comment was recorded, and the meeting adjourned shortly after the final vote.
Votes at a glance
- Approve January minutes: motion to approve carried unanimously (moved by Austin Knudsen; seconded by Christi Jacobsen). - 0225-1 (Adopt Roberts Rules): approved unanimously (moved by James Brown; seconded by Austin Knudsen). - 0225-2 (Timber sales): approved unanimously (moved by Christi Jacobsen; seconded by Austin Knudsen). - 0225-3 (Cabin and home-site minimum bids): approved unanimously (moved by Christi Jacobsen; seconded by Susie Hedalen). - 0225-4 (Easements): approved unanimously (moved by Christi Jacobsen; seconded by Austin Knudsen). - 0225-5 (Approval to file objection on water right): board moved into executive session; after public comment the motion to approve filing an objection carried 4-1 (moved by Susie Hedalen; seconded by James Brown). The transcript record lists only the final tally; individual votes were not recorded in the minutes.
The meeting materials note that the board has adopted audio recordings as the official record under 2-3-212, MCA; written minutes are an abbreviated summary and audio is available from the Land Board webpage. The board adjourned at the close of the session.
