MT Legislature to Discuss Exempt Water Wells

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The following article is from the Flathead Beacon:

by Myers Reece

At a June 20 Kalispell meeting, the Montana Legislature Water Policy Interim Committee will seek comment on multiple bill drafts that deal with exempt water wells.

When a water well pumps at a rate of less than 35 gallons per minute and produces less than 10 acre feet of water per year, it does not require a permit prior to drilling. Exempt wells are not subject to a water-use permitting analysis administered by the Department of Natural Resources and Conservation.

There are about 113,000 exempt wells in Montana. Roughly 56,000 exempt wells have been drilled since the current law took effect in 1991.

In 2011, the Legislature required the Water Policy Interim Committee to study exempt wells and provide a report to the 2013 Legislature “that provides clear policy direction and necessary legislation to guide Montana’s policy” on the wells, according to committee documents.

CLICK HERE to read the rest of this article including information about more upcoming meetings.

Source:  Flathead Beacon

Posted by Haylie Shipp

 

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