Land Board requires 50‑day notice for water‑rights objections; stakeholders welcome transparency

The Land Board adopted a motion (sponsored by Commissioner Brown) requiring DNRC to provide mailed written notice at least 50 days in advance to water‑rights holders who may be affected by objections the department intends to file in the water‑rights adjudication process. The change was presented as a procedural improvement designed to increase transparency and allow affected users more time to respond.

Jocelyn Cahill, executive director of the Senior Ag Water Rights Alliance (SARA), told the board the group had asked for a 60‑day notice but was "happy and willing to compromise for the 50 date" and called the change a meaningful step for transparency. The Montana Stockgrowers Association also spoke in favor and thanked the commissioner for shepherding the motion. Some stakeholders requested the motion explicitly state that DNRC cannot file an objection without a positive board note; the motion as adopted clarified the notice timeline but did not add that explicit filing condition.

The board moved, seconded and approved the motion unanimously. Commissioners asked DNRC legal staff to ensure administrative procedures reflect the new notice timeline and to return for future review if needed.