News Summary
Crazy Mountain Ranch in Park County has admitted to violating Montana water law by irrigating its golf course without necessary permits. The Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC) is taking legal action against the ranch, which has faced complaints from local irrigators. Despite arguing that irrigation was vital for their investment, ranch officials are now under scrutiny for diverting water illegally. The DNRC has outlined terms to allow the ranch to purchase water while they await permit approval, but concerns persist regarding the impact on local water supplies.
Livingston, Montana – Crazy Mountain Ranch in Park County has acknowledged its violation of Montana water law by irrigating its golf course without obtaining the required permits. In a recent court filing, the ranch’s general manager, David Hardwick, expressed regret for proceeding with irrigation ahead of the necessary authorizations.
The Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC) is taking legal action against the ranch, seeking a temporary restraining order and civil remedies. A District Court hearing regarding these requests has been scheduled for July 28 in Livingston, as the DNRC aims to address the situation following the ranch’s unauthorized watering activities.
Last June, DNRC officials discovered that Crazy Mountain Ranch had begun irrigating its 112-acre golf course, which includes 35 acres of newly planted turf, without the proper legal permissions as dictated by the Montana Water Use Act. On July 18, Judge Matthew Wald issued a temporary order halting irrigation on the golf course.
Ranch officials have argued that irrigation was necessary to safeguard their significant investment in the costly turf imported from Idaho. However, they also claim that the DNRC’s delays in approving permits, along with additional paperwork requirements, impeded their ability to secure the necessary authorizations for water use.
The ranch’s actions included illegally diverting water from Rock Creek to irrigate the golf course. This development has generated significant frustration among local irrigators, resulting in 15 complaints aimed at Crazy Mountain Ranch. In response to the current restrictions, the ranch has proposed trucking in up to 100,000 gallons of water each week from a nearby water plant while they work on securing the necessary permits.
On July 25, a consent decree was filed, in which the ranch agreed to cease using water from Rock Creek for irrigation. The decree permits the ranch to continue watering the golf course with water that is purchased while they await the DNRC’s approval of their water rights application. Additionally, under the terms of the consent decree, the ranch is required to submit weekly reports detailing their water usage to the DNRC and is subject to inspections of the golf course by department officials.
As part of the agreement, the DNRC has indicated that it will waive any penalties unless the consent decree is violated. Should this occur, the ranch could face fines of up to $1,000 per day. Crazy Mountain Ranch’s golf course is part of an expansive 18,000-acre property that serves as a member-only recreational facility.
Concerns are mounting among local ranchers, who fear that the ranch’s water diversion could have negative implications for their own water supplies and livelihoods. The DNRC is currently investigating the numerous complaints lodged by local irrigators regarding the ranch’s unauthorized water usage.
If the DNRC ultimately approves the ranch’s applications for water permits, the state has agreed to withdraw its injunction against the ranch. However, should the permits be denied, the injunction would remain in place, preventing the ranch from accessing the disputed water rights.
This situation unfolds in the context of ongoing tensions in the Shields River Valley, an area marked by a history of water disputes and limited water resources. The activities of Crazy Mountain Ranch have faced scrutiny and criticism from local ranchers, who argue that the burgeoning luxury development poses a threat to agricultural water needs and community resources.
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Additional Resources
- KBZK: DNRC Files Lawsuit Against Crazy Mountain Ranch
- Wikipedia: Water Law
- NBC Montana: Golf Course Sparks Water Rights Clash
- Google Search: Montana Water Rights
- KBZK: Rising Tensions at Crazy Mountain Ranch
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Water Right
- NBC Montana: DNRC Files Cease and Desist Against Crazy Mountain Ranch
- Google Scholar: Montana Water Law
Author: STAFF HERE CLEVELAND WRITER
CLEVELAND STAFF WRITER The CLEVELAND STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERECleveland.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Cleveland, Cuyahoga County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Cleveland International Film Festival, Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, and the Cleveland Air Show. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Cleveland Partnership and Destination Cleveland, plus leading businesses in manufacturing and healthcare that power the local economy such as Cleveland Clinic and Sherwin-Williams. As part of the broader HERE network, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Ohio's dynamic landscape.
