85-20-1902. Unitary administration and management ordinance.

CHAPTER I WATER RESOURCES CONSERVATION, DEVELOPMENT AND ADMINISTRATION

PART 1 – GENERAL PROVISIONS

1-1-101. Authority.

1. This Ordinance parallels legislation adopted by the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes pursuant to Tribal approval of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes-Montana Compact and the Montana Water Use Act of 1973 to effectuate Unitary Administration and Management on the Flathead Indian Reservation.

2. This Ordinance and the parallel Tribal legislation are contingently effective; neither operates with the force and effect of law without the other. No modification by the Tribes or the State of Montana of these respective laws shall be effective within the exterior boundaries of the Reservation unless and until the other makes an analogous modification. No amendment of this Ordinance that may affect a use of the Tribal Water Right may be made without Secretarial approval.

3. Upon the Effective Date of the Compact, this Ordinance shall govern all water rights, whether derived from tribal, state or federal law, and shall control all aspects of water use, including all permitting of new uses, changes of existing uses, enforcement of water right calls and all aspects of enforcement within the exterior boundaries of the Flathead Indian Reservation. Any provision of Title 85, MCA, that is inconsistent with this Law of Administration is not applicable within the Reservation.

1-1-102. Reserved.

1-1-103. Reserved.

1-1-104. Definitions. Unless otherwise defined herein, capitalized terms used in this Ordinance shall have the meaning set forth in the Compact.

1. “Allottee” or “Allottees” means an owner of an interest in a tract of land held in trust by the United States which was allotted pursuant to the Act of April 23, 1904, 33 Stat. 302, as amended, or the Act of February 25, 1920, 41 Stat. 452, as amended.

2. “Appropriate” means to divert, impound, maintain an instream, inlake, inwetland or impoundment use, or withdraw a quantity of water for a beneficial use on the Flathead Indian Reservation under color of law.

3. “Appropriation” means the diversion, impoundment, maintenance of an instream, lake, Wetland, or impoundment use, or the withdrawal of a quantity of water for a Beneficial Use on the Flathead Indian Reservation under color of law.

4. “Appropriation Right” means a right to Appropriate water issued by the Water Management Board pursuant to the terms of the Compact and this Ordinance.

5. “Aquifer Injection” means the subsurface discharge of fluids into the ground by means of an Injection Well.

6. “Appropriator” means a Person who Appropriates water.

7. “Beneficial Use” means a consumptive or non-consumptive use of water for the benefit of the Appropriator, other Persons, the Tribes, one or more Tribal members, or the general public, including but not limited to agricultural, stock water, domestic, fish and wildlife, cultural and religious practices, industrial, Instream Flow, irrigation, mining, Mitigation Water, municipal, power, recreational uses, and Wetlands purposes.

8. “Business” means a building or site where commercial work is carried on, including but not limited to a factory, store, or office.

9. “Change in Use” means an authorized change in the point of diversion, the place of use, the period of use, the purpose of use, or the place of storage of an Appropriation Right issued by the Water Management Board under the Compact and this Ordinance, or of an Existing Use. A changed water right retains the original priority date of that right.

10. “Compact” means that water rights settlement entered into by the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes, the State of Montana, and the United States.

11. “Complainant” means one who files a Complaint.

12. “Complaint” means a written assertion of injury submitted to the Engineer pursuant to Section 3-1-102 of this Ordinance.

13. “Consumptive Use” means the amount of water used for a beneficial purpose, such as water transpired by growing vegetation, evaporated from soils or water surfaces, or incorporated into products, that does not return to the Groundwater or surface water source.

14. “Designee” means an individual selected by the Engineer to exercise, in regard to a particular application or objection, those powers assigned to the Engineer under Chapter II of this Ordinance. Any Staff is eligible to be selected as a Designee provided that he or she has not previously worked on the particular application or objection at issue.

15. “Developed Spring” means any artificial opening or excavation in the ground, however made, including any physical alteration at the point of discharge regardless of whether it results in any increase in the yield of Groundwater, from which Groundwater is sought or can be obtained or through which it flows under natural pressures or is artificially withdrawn.

16. “Development” means contiguous or closely grouped parcels of land under the same or affiliated ownership, including, but not limited to, housing subdivisions or any combination of business and residential units.

17. “DNRC” means the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation, or any successor agency.

18. “Domestic Allowance” means an entitlement to use water issued to households and small businesses pursuant to the provisions of Section 2-2-117 of this Ordinance; Domestic Allowances include Individual Domestic Allowances, Shared Domestic Allowances, and Development Domestic Allowances.

19. “Domestic Use” means those water uses common to a household, including washing, drinking, bathing, waste disposal, cooling and heating, domestic animals, and garden and landscape irrigation. Domestic Use does not include the filling of ponds, pits, pit-dams or reservoirs.

20. “Effective Date” means the date on which the Compact is finally approved by the Tribes, by the State, and by the United States, and on which the Law of Administration has been enacted and taken effect as the law of the State and the Tribes, whichever date is latest.

21. “Emergency” means a situation that demands unusual or immediate action to prevent imminent injury to life, property, or the environment.

22. “Enclosed Storage” means a storage container fully enclosed to include a cistern or tank.

23. “Existing Use” means a use of water under color of Tribal, State or Federal law in existence as of the Effective Date, including uses in existence on that date that are eligible for either of the registration processes set forth in Sections 2-1-101 through 2-1-108 of this Ordinance; provided that any portion of a Water Right Arising Under State Law within the Reservation that is, at any point after the date the ratification of the Compact by the Montana Legislature takes effect under State law, voluntarily relinquished or is legally determined to be abandoned, relinquished, or have otherwise ceased to exist, shall be stricken from the relevant basin decree as a Water Right Arising Under State Law and be entitled to no further protection as such a right or as an Existing Use.

24. “Flathead Indian Irrigation Project” or “FIIP” means the irrigation project developed by the United States to irrigate lands within the Reservation pursuant to the Act of April 23, 1904, Public Law 58-159, 33 Stat. 302 (1904), and the Act of May 29, 1908, Public Law 60-156, 35 Stat. 441 (1908), and includes, but is not limited to, all lands, reservoirs, easements, rights-of-way, canals, ditches, laterals, or any other FIIP facilities (whether situated on or off the Reservation), head gates, pipelines, pumps, buildings, heavy equipment, vehicles, supplies, records or copies of records and all other physical, tangible objects, whether of real or personal property, used in the management and operation of the FIIP.

25. “FIIP Influence Area” means the lands influenced by the operations of the FIIP as identified on the map attached to the Compact as Appendix 2.

26. “Flathead Indian Reservation” or “Reservation” means all land within the exterior boundaries of the Indian Reservation established under the July 16, 1855 Treaty of Hellgate (12 Stat. 975), notwithstanding the issuance of any patent, and including rights-of-way running through the Reservation.

27. “Flathead System Compact Water” means that portion of the Tribal Water Right consisting of 229,383 acre feet per year that the Tribes may withdraw from the Flathead River or Flathead Lake, which includes up to 90,000 acre feet per year stored in Hungry Horse Reservoir, with a maximum total volume consumed of 128,158 acre feet per year.

28. “Groundwater” means any water that is beneath the surface of the earth.

29. “Groundwater Management Area” means an area designated and managed under Section 1-1-109 of this Ordinance.

30. “Heating/Cooling Exchange Well” means a Well for the purpose and with the attributes set forth in Section 2-2-119(1) of this Ordinance.

31. “Home” means a house, apartment, or other shelter that is a permanent or temporary residence of a Person, family, or household.

32. “Illegal” or “Illegally” means, as it pertains to the use of water, to Appropriate water not pursuant to an Appropriation Right or Existing Use.

33. “Injection Well” means a Well utilized for injecting fluids or gases into geologic materials. Open pits, ponds, or excavations are not considered Injection Wells.

34. “Instream Flow” means a stream flow retained in a watercourse to benefit the aquatic environment. Instream Flow may include Natural Flow or streamflow affected by regulation, diversion, or other modification. A water right for Instream Flow purposes is quantified for a stream reach and measured for enforcement purposes at a specified point.

35. “Livestock” means cattle, bison, sheep, swine, horses, mules, goats, or other animals specifically raised and used for food or fiber or as a beast of burden.

36. “Mitigation” means the reallocation of surface water or Groundwater through a Change in Use or other means to offset adverse effect resulting from Net Depletion by any proposed new Appropriation.

37. “Mitigation Plan” means a plan as developed by an applicant to provide Mitigation.

38. “NRD” means the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes’ Natural Resources Department.

39. “Natural Wetland” means a Wetland area that is maintained with a natural surface water source, natural Groundwater source or a combination of natural surface water and natural Groundwater without any artificial means of diversion, impoundment, withdrawal, excavation, or other artificial means of control.

40. “Net Depletion” means the calculated volume, rate, timing, and location of reductions to a water source resulting from a proposed new Appropriation that are not offset by the corresponding accretions to that source caused by the proposed new Appropriation.

41. “Non-consumptive Use” means any beneficial use of water that does not meet the definition of consumptive use.

42. “Other Instream Flows” means the Tribal instream flow water rights for stream reaches described in Article III.C.1.d.iii of the Compact.

43. “Office of the Engineer” means the Engineer and Staff, acting in their official capacities.

44. “Person” means an individual or any other entity, public or private, including the Tribes, the State, and the United States, and all officers, agents and departments of each sovereign.

45. “Pits, Pit-dams, Constructed Ponds, or Reservoirs” refer to bodies of water that are created by man-made means and which store water for beneficial use.

46. “Project Manager” means the person or team of persons hired by the Project Operator to operate and manage the FIIP in accordance with its direction, this and other applicable agreements, and applicable law, including the Compact.

47. “Project Operator” means that entity with the legal authority and responsibility to operate the Flathead Indian Irrigation Project.

48. “Public Water Supply System” means a system for the provision of water for human consumption that has at least 15 service connections or that regularly serves at least 25 Persons daily for any 60 or more days in a calendar year.

49. “Publish” or “Publication” means, unless otherwise designated, the printing of an announcement of document availability, or the text of the document itself, in a newspaper of general circulation on the Reservation and in the Tribal newspaper and posting on the Water Management Board’s website.

50. “Redundant Well” means a Well to provide a backup source of water for a Public Water Supply System.

51. “Restored Natural Wetland” means a Wetland area that, upon restoration, shall be maintained with a natural surface water source, natural Groundwater source, or a combination of natural surface water and natural Groundwater without any artificial means of diversion, impoundment, withdrawal, excavation, or other artificial means of control.

52. “Secretary” means the Secretary of the United States Department of the Interior or the Secretary’s duly assigned representative.

53. “Shall” means a mandatory and not a discretionary act.

54. “Shared Well” means a single Well that is physically manifold to multiple homes and/or businesses and is cooperatively used pursuant to a Shared Well Agreement.

55. “Shared Well Agreement” means a legally binding document that stipulates the manner in which a Shared Well is jointly used between or among all Homes or Businesses connected to the well; to be valid, it must be signed by representatives for each Person having a possessory interest in each individual Home or Business connected to a Shared Well.

56. “Spring” means a perennial hydrologic occurrence of water involving the natural flow of water originating from beneath the land surface and arising to the surface of the ground.

57. “Staff” means the employees, contractors and others assigned to or engaged by the Board or the Engineer to assist or facilitate the Engineer in carrying out the duties assigned to the Engineer by the Compact and this Ordinance, and by the Board pursuant to the same.

58. “Stock Tank” means a 30 to 1500 gallon tank used to provide drinking water for Livestock that is equipped with a water level regulator that shuts off supply to keep the Stock Tank from overflowing.

59. “Substitute Well” means a Well that replaces an existing Well which is to be abandoned.

60. “Temporary Emergency Appropriation” means the temporary beneficial use of water necessary to protect lives, property, or the environment, by reason of fire, storm, earthquake or other disaster, or unforeseen combination of circumstances which call for immediate action. An appropriation made necessary due to drought conditions is not a temporary emergency appropriation.

61. “Temporary Groundwater Management Area” means an area established pursuant to Section 1-1-109(10) of this Ordinance.

62. “Tribal Member” means a Person who is lawfully enrolled by and whose name appears on the official enrollment list of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes.

63. “Tribal Water Right” means the water rights of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes, including any Tribal member or Allottee, that arise under Federal law, as set forth in Article III.A, Article III.C.1.a through j, Article III.C.1.k.i, Article III.C.1.l.i, Article III.D.1 through 3, and Article III.D.7 and 8 of the Compact. The term “Tribal Water Right” also includes those rights identified in Article III.H of the Compact that are appurtenant to lands taken into trust by the United States on behalf of the Tribes.

64. “Tribes” means the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes of the Flathead Reservation, and all officers, agencies, and departments thereof.

65. “Waste” or “Wasting” means the unreasonable loss of water resulting from the design, construction, operation or maintenance of a water diversion, storage or distribution facility, Well, Developed Spring, or the application of water to anything but a beneficial use.

66. “Water Engineer” or “Engineer” means the Person satisfying the criteria in Section 1-2-109 of this Ordinance employed by the Water Management Board pursuant to Article IV.I.5.c of the Compact to exercise the powers and duties of the Water Engineer as set forth in the Compact and this Ordinance.

67. “Water Management Board” or “Board” means the board created by Article IV.I of the Compact and vested with the responsibilities set forth in the Compact and in Tribal and State law for the administration of water within the Reservation.

68. “Water Rights Arising Under State Law” means those valid water rights Arising Under State Law existing as of the Effective Date and not subsequently relinquished or abandoned, as those rights are: decreed or to be decreed by the Montana Water Court pursuant to 85-2-234, MCA; permitted by the DNRC; exempted from filing in the Montana general stream adjudication pursuant to 85-2-222, MCA; or excepted from the permitting process pursuant to 85-2-306, MCA.

69. “Well” means any artificial opening or excavation in the ground, however made, by which Groundwater is sought or can be obtained or through which it flows under natural pressures or is artificially withdrawn.

70. “Well Log Report” means DNRC Form No. 603 (see ARM 36.12.102), or any successor reporting form and requirement promulgated in State law.

71. “Well Shaft Casing” means an impervious durable pipe placed in a well or Developed Spring to prevent the walls from caving, to seal off surface drainage, or undesirable water, gas, or other fluids to prevent their entering the well, and to prevent the Waste of Groundwater.

72. “Wetland” means an area that is inundated or saturated by surface water or Groundwater at a frequency and duration sufficient to support, and that under normal circumstances does support, a prevalence of vegetation typically adapted for life in saturated soil conditions. Wetlands generally include swamps, marshes, bogs and similar areas.

73. “Wetland Quantified Appropriation Right” means an Appropriation Right issued for a Wetlands purpose that utilizes any man-made diversions, impoundment, withdrawals, excavations, or other artificial means for the purposes of appropriation for either all or a portion of a Wetland.

74. “Wetland Protective Appropriation Right” means an Appropriation Right issued for either a Natural Wetland or Restored Natural Wetland.

75. “Works” means all property, real or personal, necessary or convenient to the appropriation, conservation, storage, diversion, distribution, development, screening and utilization of water.

1-1-105. Measurement of Water. Upon the effective date of this Ordinance, legal standards of measurement of water within the Flathead Reservation shall be as follows:

1. Flow rates shall be measured in cubic feet per second, unless otherwise provided herein. Where documentary evidence of an existing use is expressed in gallons per minute, 448.8 gallons per minute shall be considered equivalent to a flow of one cubic foot per second. Where documentary evidence of an existing use is expressed in statutory or miner’s inches, 40 statutory or miner’s inches shall be considered equivalent to a flow of one cubic foot per second.

2. Volumes of water shall be measured in acre-feet, unless otherwise provided herein. One acre-foot shall be considered equivalent to a volume of 43,560 cubic feet. One cubic foot shall be considered equivalent to a volume of 7.48 gallons.

1-1-106. Measurement of Time. Whenever in this Ordinance an action is required to be performed within a certain number of days, the time for completion of the act shall be measured in calendar days unless the last day falls on a Friday, Saturday, Sunday, or Tribal, State or Federal legal holiday, in which case the time for performance is extended to the next subsequent business weekday.

1-1-107. Appropriation Rights Allowed.

1. The following Appropriation Rights or Changes in Use may be authorized by the Board pursuant to the Compact and this Ordinance:

a. Appropriation Rights for Groundwater appropriations for Redundant or Substitute Wells as set forth in Section 2-2-115 of this Ordinance.

b. Appropriation Rights for Stock Water Allowances as set forth in Section 2-2-116 of this Ordinance.

c. Appropriation Rights for Domestic Allowances as set forth in Section 2-2-117 of this Ordinance.

d. Appropriation Rights for uses of Flathead System Compact Water as set forth in Section 2-2-118 of this Ordinance.

e. Appropriation Rights for non-consumptive geothermal heating or cooling exchange Wells as set forth in Section 2-2-119 of this Ordinance.

f. Appropriation Rights for Temporary Emergency Appropriations as set forth in Section 2-2-120 of this Ordinance.

g. Appropriation Rights or Change in Use authorizations for Wetlands as set forth in Sections 2-2-123 and 2-2-124 of this Ordinance.

h. Appropriation Rights for Non-consumptive Uses, including, but not limited to, hydropower generation and not including flow-through ponds.

i. Appropriation Rights for which adverse effects to existing Appropriators are offset by Mitigation.

j. Changes in Use of all Appropriation Rights or Existing Uses except for those Appropriation Rights authorized under subsections (1)(a), (1)(b), (1)(c), (1)(e), (1)(f), (1)(k), or (1)(l) of this Section or those for Existing Uses exempt from the permitting requirements of 85-2-306, MCA, or from the claim filing requirements of 85-2-221, MCA, as set forth in 85-2-222, MCA; provided that a use authorized under subsection (1)(h) may not be changed from a Non-consumptive Use to a consumptive use.

k. Appropriation Rights to Appropriate surface water to conduct response actions related to natural resource restoration required for:

i. remedial actions pursuant to the federal Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980, 42 U.S.C. 9601, et seq.;

ii. aquatic resource activities carried out in compliance with and as required by the federal Clean Water Act of 1977, 33 U.S.C. 1251 through 1387; or

iii. remedial actions taken pursuant to the Remedial Action Upon Release of Hazardous Substance Act, Title 75, chapter 10, part 7, MCA.

No Appropriation Rights issued pursuant to this subsection may be used for dilution.

l. Appropriation Rights for uses of surface water for or by a municipality or regional distribution system.

m. Appropriation Rights for new uses of the Tribal Water Right by the Tribes, Tribal Members, or Allottees, provided that any such new uses be sourced from:

i. Flathead System Compact Water; or

ii. another source, provided that any adverse effects to existing Appropriators caused by the Net Depletion of the new Appropriation Right must be offset by Mitigation pursuant to Section 1-1-112 of this Ordinance.

2. Other than those Appropriation Rights set forth in subsection (1) of this Section, the Board may not grant an Appropriation Right or other authorization to Appropriate surface water or Groundwater within the exterior boundaries of the Flathead Indian Reservation.

1-1-108. Reservation Water Rights Database. The Board shall cause all Appropriation Rights and Changes in Use authorized by the Board, including those uses registered pursuant to the provisions of Sections 2-1-101 through 2-1-107 of this Ordinance, to be entered into the DNRC water rights database in a format agreed to by the Board and the DNRC.

1-1-109. Groundwater Management Areas. The Board may designate, modify, or repeal either permanent or Temporary Groundwater Management Areas as provided in this part.

1. Each designation of a Groundwater Management Area shall identify the need for the special management, the boundaries of the area, the water resources targeted for special management, and the specific restrictions that will apply in the Groundwater Management Area.

2. The designation, modification, or repeal of a Groundwater Management Area may be initiated by submission of a correct and complete petition by:

a. the Tribes, the State, or the United States;

b. a local public health agency;

c. a municipality, county, or conservation district; or

d. at least one-third of the water rights holders in a proposed Groundwater Management Area.

3. A correct and complete petition shall:

a. be in a form prescribed by the Board;

b. contain facts and analysis prepared by a hydrologist, hydrogeologist, qualified scientist, or a qualified licensed professional engineer demonstrating the existence of one or more of the criteria set forth in subsection (8) are met; and

c. describe proposed measures, if any, needed to mitigate effects of the criteria identified in subsection (8) of this Section; and that are alleged in the petition or describe the rationale as to why a Groundwater Management Area should be repealed or modified.

4. Upon receipt of a completed petition complying with subsection (3) of this Section, the Office of the Engineer shall date stamp the petition.

5. Office of the Engineer review:

a. within 180 days of the date of receipt of the petition pursuant to subsection (4) of this Section, the Office of the Engineer shall:

i. determine in writing that the petition is correct and complete; or

ii. notify the petitioner of any defects in a petition, with an explanation in writing of the defect(s).

b. any petition that is returned pursuant to subsection (5)(a)(ii) of this Section and not corrected within 90 days from the date of return shall be deemed terminated.

c. if the Office of the Engineer does not notify the petitioner pursuant to subsection (5)(a) of this Section, the petition shall be treated as correct and complete.

6. Board review:

a. within 60 days after a petition is determined to be correct and complete, the Board shall:

i. deny the petition in writing in whole or part, stating the reasons for denial;

ii. inform the petitioner in writing that the Board will study the information presented in the petition for a period not to exceed 90 days before denying or proceeding with the petition; or

iii. publish notice of the Board’s consideration of action concerning a permanent or Temporary Groundwater Management Area pursuant to subsection (8) of this Section.

b. failure of the Board to act under subsection (6)(a) of this Section shall be deemed a denial of the petition.

7. If the Board determines that a correct and complete petition contains sufficient information to warrant the Board granting the petition, the Board shall proceed to hear the petition. The Board shall provide public notice of the hearing by:

a. publishing a notice at least once each week for 3 successive weeks, with the first notice not less than 30 days before the date of the hearing in a newspaper of general circulation on the Reservation;

b. serving by mail a copy of the notice, not less than 30 days before the hearing, upon each Person or public agency known from an examination of the records of the Board to be a water right holder within the proposed or existing Groundwater Management Area;

c. serving by mail a copy of the notice upon any other Person, including Tribal, State or federal agencies, that the Board knows to be interested in or affected by the proposed designation, modification, or repeal of a Groundwater Management Area.

d. the notice under subsections (7)(a) through (7)(c) must include a summary of the basis for the proposed action. Publication and mailing of the notice as prescribed in this Section, when completed, is considered to be sufficient notice of the hearing to all interested parties.

e. the Board shall make available to the public on its website a complete copy of the petition or request to designate, modify, or repeal either permanent or Temporary Groundwater Management Areas.

8. The Board may designate a permanent Groundwater Management Area if it finds by a preponderance of the evidence that any of the following criteria have been met:

a. current or projected reductions of recharge to the aquifer or aquifers within the boundaries of the proposed permanent Groundwater Management Area will cause Groundwater levels to decline to the extent that water rights holders cannot reasonably exercise their water rights;

b. current or projected Groundwater withdrawals from the aquifer or aquifers in the boundaries of the proposed Groundwater Management Area have reduced or will reduce Groundwater levels or surface water availability necessary for water rights holders to reasonably exercise their water rights;

c. current or projected Groundwater withdrawals from the aquifer or aquifers in the proposed permanent Groundwater Management Area have impaired or will impair Groundwater quality necessary for water right holders to reasonably exercise their water rights based on relevant water quality standards;

d. Groundwater within the proposed permanent Groundwater Management Area is not suitable for any beneficial use; or

e. public health, safety, or welfare is or will become at risk.

9. Monitoring and studies:

a. if the Board finds that sufficient facts, including monitoring information, are not available to designate a permanent Groundwater Management Area, the Board may designate a Temporary Groundwater Management Area to allow studies to obtain the facts needed to:

i. correct deficiencies that the Board identifies in a petition for a permanent Groundwater Management Area;

ii. determine the extent to which the criteria identified in subsection (8) are met or not met;

iii. determine appropriate control measures to implement to designate a permanent Groundwater Management Area.

b. the Board shall set the length of time that the Temporary Groundwater Management Area shall be in effect. The term of a Temporary Groundwater Management Area may be extended by the Board, but may not exceed a total of 6 years.

c. the Board shall determine the responsibility for funding the costs associated with subsection (9)(a). Any person on whom a funding responsibility is placed by the Board pursuant to this subsection may appeal that determination to a Court of Competent Jurisdiction, which shall review the determination for an abuse of discretion.

d. prior to designating a Temporary Groundwater Management Area, the Board shall provide notice and the opportunity for public hearing pursuant to the notice provisions of subsection (7) of this Section.

e. a Temporary Groundwater Management Area designation is for the purpose of monitoring and study and shall not include the control provisions set forth in subsection (10) of this Section, other than measurement, water quality testing, and reporting.

f. prior to expiration of a Temporary Groundwater Management Area, and subject to the limitations of subsection (9)(b) of this Section, the Board may amend or repeal the establishment of the Temporary Groundwater Management Area, or may designate a permanent Groundwater Management Area under this Section.

10. A permanent Groundwater Management Area may include, but is not limited to, one or more of the following provisions:

a. closing the permanent Groundwater Management Area to further appropriation of surface water and/or Groundwater;

b. restricting the development of future surface water and/or Groundwater appropriations within the permanent Groundwater Management Area;

c. prohibiting or restricting the issuance of Stock Water Allowances pursuant to Section 2-2-116 of this Ordinance;

d. prohibiting or restricting the issuance of Domestic Allowances pursuant to Section 2-2-117 of this Ordinance;

e. requiring measurement and reporting of future surface water or Groundwater appropriations within the permanent Groundwater Management Area;

f. requiring water conservation measures within the permanent Groundwater Management Area;

g. requiring mitigation of Groundwater withdrawals within the permanent Groundwater Management Area;

h. reporting data to the Board within the permanent Groundwater Management Area; and

i. other provisions that the Board determines are appropriate and adopts.

11. The Board, upon petition, may modify or repeal a Groundwater Management Area. Any petition seeking the modification or repeal of a permanent Groundwater Management Area must demonstrate by a preponderance of the evidence that current or projected recharge to the aquifer or aquifers or changes to current or projected Groundwater withdrawals from the aquifer or aquifers in the boundaries of an existing Groundwater Management Area justify modification or repeal of that Groundwater Management Area.

12. Appeal from any final decision of the Board concerning the designation, modification or repeal of any permanent Groundwater Management Area pursuant to this Section shall be as set forth in Section 2-2-112 of this Ordinance.

13. If the Board determines that it is appropriate for a Groundwater Management Area identified pursuant to this section to extend to an area adjacent to but outside the boundaries of the Reservation, the Board, through the Office of the Engineer, may petition the DNRC, pursuant to 85-2-506(2)(c)(i), MCA, to designate a Controlled Groundwater Area in that adjacent area. Designation or modification by the DNRC of a Controlled Groundwater Area in any such adjacent area shall be governed by the procedures set forth in 85-2-506, MCA.

1-1-110. Standards for Applications for Appropriation Rights and Changes in Use. For any application for an Appropriation Right or Change in Use that is not one of the categories of Appropriation Right identified in Sections 1-1-112(1) or 2-2-118 of this Ordinance, in addition to whatever information is required by specific provisions of the Ordinance, all applications for Appropriation Rights and Changes in Use must include:

1. An identification of the proposed beneficial use.

2. An identification of the source of water supply.

3. A project description, including an identification of any water right(s) to be changed to a new use, if applicable.

4. A legal description of the point of diversion and the place of use.

5. The monthly volume(s) and flow rate(s) of the water supply to be diverted, withdrawn, or impounded, and the monthly volume(s) to be consumed; however the Office of the Engineer may require a more frequent quantification time step.

6. The monthly historic diverted, withdrawn, or impounded volume(s) and flow rate(s) and the historically consumed volume(s) of the water right(s) to be changed to a new use, if applicable; however, the Office of the Engineer may require a more frequent quantification time step.

7. The calculations, references and methodologies used to determine the volume(s) and flow rate(s) in subsections (5) and (6) above.

8. Identification of physical water availability and existing legal demands on the source of supply of water.

9. Evidence that the proposed means of diversion, construction, and operation of the appropriation Works are adequate.

10. Evidence of possessory interest or the written consent of the person with the possessory interest in the property where the water is to be put to beneficial use, diverted, conveyed, impounded, stored, transported, withdrawn, used, and distributed.

11. Information showing that the water quantity or quality of an Appropriator will not be adversely affected, if applicable.

12. A United States Geological Survey (USGS) quadrangle map or United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) aerial photo must be included with the application.

a. The following items shall be clearly identified on the map:

(1) North arrow;

(2) Scale bar;

(3) Section corners and numbers;

(4) Township and range numbers;

(5) Property lines and ownership;

(6) Source(s);

(7) Point(s) of diversion;

(8) Means of conveyance;

(9) Place(s) of use;

(10) Place(s) of storage, if applicable;

(11) Surface water features;

(12) Measurement and instrument locations associated with the application; and

(13) The place(s) of use of all associated and supplemental water rights.

b. If the application is for a Change in Use, the site map shall also show the historic point(s) of diversion, place(s) of use, and place(s) of storage, as applicable.

c. Additional maps shall be submitted if the information on one map cannot convey the required information clearly and shall be of the same scale so the maps can be overlain.

1-1-111. Groundwater Diversion Standards

1. Wells:

a. Persons that drill, make, or construct Wells, including monitoring Wells, on the Reservation shall comply with Title 37 Chapter 43, MCA, and ARM 36 Chapter 21 licensing, conduct, and regulatory requirements, or any successor provisions promulgated in State law.

b. All Well construction on the Reservation shall meet the standards set forth in ARM 36 Chapter 21, or any successor provisions promulgated in State law.

c. Construction and operations of all Wells must comply with all applicable federal, State, Tribal, and local environmental regulations.

2. Developed Springs:

a. All Developed Spring collection components, including but not limited to infiltration galleries, infiltration basins, and French drains, shall be installed and buried under the surface of the ground.

b. All means of storage and conveyance, including but not limited to supply pipes, cisterns, and pump housings, shall be sealed and made impervious to water and designed in a manner that protects the source from backflow and surface contamination.

c. Open pits, ponds, or excavations shall not be used as a means of diversion for Developed Springs.

d. Construction and operation of all Developed Springs must comply with all applicable federal, State, Tribal, and local environmental regulations.

3. Aquifer Injection and Injection Wells are not allowed except when used exclusively for Heating/Cooling Exchange Wells.

1-1-112. Mitigation

1. Unless any provision of a Groundwater Management Area established pursuant to Section 1-1-109 of this Ordinance specifically requires Mitigation for any of the following categories of Appropriation Rights, Mitigation is not required for Appropriation of:

a. Redundant or Substitute Wells pursuant to Section 2-2-115 of this Ordinance;

b. Stock Water Allowances pursuant to Section 2-2-116 of this Ordinance;

c. Domestic Allowances pursuant to Section 2-2-117 of this Ordinance;

d. Heating/Cooling Exchange Wells pursuant Section to 2-2-119 of this Ordinance;

e. Temporary Emergency Appropriations pursuant to Section 2-2-120 of this Ordinance; or

f. Short-term uses of an Appropriation Right pursuant to Sections 2-2-121 and 2-2-122 of this Ordinance.

2. Mitigation is not required for Appropriation of Flathead System Compact Water Pursuant to 2-2-118 of this Ordinance.

3. Any Appropriation Right that results in a Net Depletion of either surface water or Groundwater shall offset the entire Net Depletion that results in adverse effect to any Appropriator through the use of Mitigation pursuant to a Mitigation Plan.

4. An adverse effect to a Wetland Protective Appropriation Right recognized in Article III.C.1.f of the Compact or a Wetland Protective Appropriation Right issued pursuant to Section 2-2-123 of this Ordinance that requires Mitigation shall include, but is not limited to, a water supply alteration that would cause:

a. reductions of the Wetland boundary in excess of the normal range of variability in water; or

b. unnatural Wetland plant community change.

5. A Mitigation Plan must include:

a. a plan of use for the proposed Appropriation Right for which the Mitigation Plan is required;

b. an identification of the location, volume, and timing (by monthly or more frequent time step as determined by the Engineer) of the adverse effect to be mitigated;

c. if necessary, evidence that an application for a Change in Use has been submitted;

d. the amount of water reallocated through exchange or substitution that is required to mitigate the adverse effect;

e. evidence that the water for Mitigation is legally and physically available;

f. evidence of how the Mitigation Plan will offset the Net Depletion in a manner that will offset any adverse effect to any Appropriator; and

g. evidence that the necessary water quality permits, if any, have been applied for pursuant to the Tribal Water Quality Management Ordinance.

6. No applicant for an Appropriation Right shall be required to provide more Mitigation than the quantity needed to offset the adverse effects of that proposed new Appropriation Right on any Appropriator.

7. Compliance with a Mitigation Plan and proof of any water quality permit(s) issued pursuant to the Tribal Water Quality Management Ordinance, if applicable, must be included as a written condition on any Appropriation Right or Change in Use authorization that is conditioned on Mitigation.

8. If compliance with a Mitigation Plan or any applicable water quality permit(s) issued pursuant to the Tribal Water Quality Management Ordinance ceases or terminates, the holder of the Appropriation Right conditioned on compliance with the Mitigation Plan shall immediately notify the Office of the Engineer, and use of the Appropriation Right shall be suspended immediately until a new Mitigation Plan is approved and implemented pursuant to this Ordinance.

1-1-113. Codification, Severability and Defense.

1. The provisions of this Ordinance are severable, and a finding of invalidity of one or more provisions hereof shall not affect the validity of the remaining provisions.

2. This Ordinance is intended to function in conjunction with the legislation adopted by the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes pursuant to Tribal approval of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes-Montana Compact and the Montana Water Use Act of 1973 to effectuate Unitary administration and Management on the Flathead Indian Reservation. Should those portions of the parallel Tribal Legislation be amended by subsequent legislation without contemporaneous and materially identical State amendment to this Ordinance, this Ordinance shall govern the use of waters within the Reservation, irrespective of the amended provisions of Tribal law, until such time as the laws of the Tribes and the State are rendered mutually consistent. Similarly, should this Ordinance be amended without contemporaneous and materially identical amendment of the provisions adopted into Tribal law, those pre-existing provisions of Tribal law shall govern the use of waters within the Reservation, irrespective of the amended provisions, until such time as the laws of the Tribes and the State are rendered mutually consistent.

3. Any amendment to this Ordinance that is approved by the Tribes, the State and the Secretary is pursuant to, and shall not be deemed a modification of, the Compact.

4. The State adopts this Ordinance only after concluding its provisions are lawful. Should the legality of the Ordinance, or parallel Tribal legislation, or any provision thereof be challenged in any court, the parties shall use their best effort jointly to defend the enforceability of the Ordinance, the parallel Tribal legislation and each of the respective provisions.

1-1-114. Effective Date. This Ordinance and each provision hereof according to its terms shall take on the Effective Date of the Compact.

PART 2 – UNITARY ADMINISTRATION AND MANAGEMENT

1-2-101. Purpose. The purpose of this Part is to establish the processes applicable to all surface and Groundwater use within the exterior boundaries of the Flathead Indian Reservation.

1-2-102. Establishment and Composition of the Water Management Board. Pursuant to Article IV.I of the Compact, the Water Management Board is established.

1-2-103. Qualifications of Board Members. As set forth in Article IV.I.2.f of the Compact:

1. A Board member shall be over 18 years of age.

2. A Board member shall be a Reservation resident, which means, for the purposes of filling a position on the Board, an individual who:

a. does business within Flathead Indian Reservation boundaries;

b. is domiciled within Flathead Indian Reservation boundaries; or

c. owns and maintains a seasonal residence within Flathead Indian Reservation boundaries.

3. No elected official of the State of Montana, or any political subdivision thereof, or of the United States, or of the Tribes is eligible for nomination to the Board while holding such elective office. However, a nominee for Board membership shall not be disqualified by reason of the fact that he or she is an employee or contractor of the State of Montana or any political subdivision thereof, or of the Tribes, or of the United States.

4. A Board member shall have education and experience in one or more of the following fields: natural resources management, public administration, agriculture, engineering, commerce or finance, hydrology, biological sciences, water law or water policy.

5. No Board member may vote on any application or appeal that the member participated in personally and substantially in any non-Board capacity.

1-2-104. Public Meetings and Records. As set forth in Article IV.I.7 of the Compact:

1. Notwithstanding any other provisions of law, the Board is a public agency for purposes of the applicability of State and Tribal right to know laws.

2. All regular and special meetings of the Board, including all hearings conducted by the Office of the Engineer or the Board pursuant to the provisions of Chapter 2 Part 2, and Chapter 3 of this Ordinance, shall be open to the observation of the general public pursuant to State and Tribal open meeting laws. Where there is a conflict of laws, the law that provides for greater openness to the public applies.

3. Where no more specific notice provisions are set forth in this Ordinance, notice of any meeting, including a draft agenda, shall be provided to the public in a manner and on a timeframe consistent with the criteria set forth in State and Tribal law. Where there is a conflict of laws, the law that provides for earlier notice shall apply.

4. The Board shall keep the following records:

a. minutes of all meetings;

b. recordings of all hearings conducted by the Board or the Office of the Engineer pursuant to the provisions of Chapter 2 Part 2, and Chapter 3 of this Ordinance;

c. all documents filed with or generated by the Board or the Office of the Engineer pursuant to this Ordinance;

d. any other records required by applicable provisions of State or Tribal law, provided that if there is a conflict of laws, the law that provides for more expansive record retention shall apply.

5. All Board records are public records and shall be made available to the public for inspection under such reasonable terms and conditions as the Board shall establish.

1-2-105. Compensation and Expenses of the Board. As set forth in Article IV.I.2.h of the Compact, each Board member shall receive such compensation for services and reimbursement for expenses for attendance at Board meetings as shall be fixed by the State and the Tribal Council for the Board members appointed by the same. The compensation for the fifth Board member shall set jointly by the State and the Tribal Council. The compensation and expenses of the Federal ex officio member shall be paid by the United States.

1-2-106. Quorum and Voting of the Board. As set forth in Article IV.I.3 of the Compact, four voting members of the Board shall constitute a quorum. No Board action may be voted upon in the absence of a quorum. All Board decisions shall be by affirmative vote of a majority of the Board. If a proposal put to a vote of a quorum of Board members ends in a tie vote, the proposal, or matter under consideration is deemed disapproved or denied.

1-2-107. Powers and Duties of the Board.

1. The Board shall have those powers and duties set forth in Article IV.I.4 and 5 of the Compact and in this Ordinance, including those powers necessary and proper to carry out all Board responsibilities as set forth in the Compact and this Ordinance.

2. As set forth in the Compact, the Board shall have exclusive jurisdiction to resolve any controversy as between the Parties or between or among holders of Appropriation Rights and Existing Uses on the Reservation over the meaning and interpretation of the Compact and this Ordinance.

1-2-108. Technical Assistance to the Board and the Engineer. The NRD and the DNRC shall, within the limits of their respective expertise and resources, and when so requested by the Board or the Office of the Engineer, collect, compile, and analyze information related to waters of the Reservation, their use, and the Works associated with their use, and produce reports and provide technical assistance and advice to the Board or the Office of the Engineer.

1-2-109. Qualifications of the Water Engineer.

1. The Water Engineer shall be a professional in one or more of the following water resources or management related fields:

a. water resources management;

b. hydrology;

c. hydrogeology;

d. environmental science;

e. business or public administration;

f. biological science;

g. civil engineering;

h. environmental engineering; or

i. law.

2. The Water Engineer shall have a minimum of a bachelor’s degree with 10 years of increasingly responsible experience, including three years of management experience, or a master’s degree with seven years of increasingly responsible experience, including three years of management experience, or an appropriate combination of education and experience.

3. The Water Engineer shall have the skill to deal with a diverse and sometimes contentious public.

4. The Water Engineer shall have the ability to:

a. successfully manage the water resources staff;

b. provide technical assistance to the Board; and

c. act as a hearings officer and document decisions and orders in writing.

1-2-110. Duties of the Engineer. The Engineer shall be an employee of the Board and shall exercise the duties set forth in the Compact and this Ordinance, and as assigned by the Board pursuant to the Compact and this Ordinance. These duties include, but are not limited to:

1. The administration of water rights on the Reservation, and the enforcement of the terms of this Ordinance and the conditions of all Appropriation Rights, determinations, orders, regulations, plans, policies, guidelines, and other actions taken by the Engineer or the Board, pursuant to the Compact and this Ordinance;

2. Coordination with the Project Manager, as far as practicable, of the operations of the FIIP with the administration and enforcement of water rights outside of the FIIP;

3. The supervision and management of Staff; and

4. The development and submission to the Board of budget requests for approval by the Board and forwarding to the Tribes and State for the purpose of securing necessary appropriations.

1-2-111. Immunity from Suit. Members of the Board, the Engineer, any Designee, any Water Commissioner appointed pursuant to Section 3-1-114 of this Ordinance, and any Staff shall be immune from suit for damages arising from the lawful discharge of an official duty associated with the carrying out of powers and duties set forth in the Compact or this Ordinance relating to the authorization, administration or enforcement of water rights on the Reservation.

1-2-112. Filing Fees. A filing fee shall be paid at the time an application is filed with the Office of the Engineer under Section 2-1-107, 2-2-104, 2-2-115, 2-2-116, 2-2-117, 2-2-118, 2-2-119, 2-2-123, or 2-2-124 of this Ordinance. The amount of the fee shall be the same as the fee charged by DNRC for the same type of application under State law, as those fees may be modified from time to time by the DNRC. The Board shall post notice of the applicable amount of these fees at the Office of the Engineer and on the Board’s website.

CHAPTER II WATER USE

PART 1 – GENERAL PROVISIONS

2-1-101. Registration of Uses of the Tribal Water Right in Existence as of the Effective Date of the Compact.

1. Pursuant to Article III.C.1.b of the Compact, the Tribes, each Tribal Member, and each Allottee who claims to have an Existing Use of waters of the Reservation which is part of the Tribal Water Right shall file a registration of Existing Use of the Tribal Water Right with the Engineer. Uses of the Tribal Water Right for which abstracts are appended to this Compact, including uses on the FIIP, are exempt from this registration requirement.

2. Historically irrigated allotments with serviceable delivery systems that are held by individuals and in trust by the United States, and are not served by the FIIP, shall be eligible to be registered pursuant to the provisions of Sections 2-1-101 et seq. of this Ordinance even if such allotments are not being irrigated on the Effective Date of the Compact.

3. The NRD shall provide assistance to the Tribes, Tribal Members, and Allottees in preparing registrations of Existing Uses of the Tribal Water Right for filing.

4. No Tribal Member or Allottee may exercise, for the same water use, both a registration of Existing Use of the Tribal Water Right and a Water Right Recognized Under State Law.

2-1-102. Process for Registration of Existing Use of the Tribal Water Right.

1. The Tribes, Tribal Members, and Allottees claiming a use of water that falls under the terms of Section 2-1-101 of this Ordinance shall, within five years of the Effective Date of this Ordinance, file a Registration Form with the Board documenting the registration of Existing Use of the Tribal Water Right and identifying:

a. the rate and volume of water used;

b. the source of supply for the use;

c. the point of diversion by legal land description;

d. the place of use by legal land description;

e. the period of use;

f. the period of diversion;

g. the place of storage (if applicable);

h. the capacity of storage (if applicable);

i. the purpose; and

j. the means of diversion.

2. Upon receipt, the Board shall transmit the Registration Form to the Office of the Engineer.

3. Upon receipt of the Registration Form, the Office of the Engineer shall review the Registration Form within 180 days and may either issue a Registration Certificate or return a defective Registration Form to the filer, together with the reasons for returning it. Upon receiving a corrected Registration Form, the Office of the Engineer has 90 days from the certified receipt of the corrected Registration Form to issue a Registration Certificate or reject the registration. If the Office of the Engineer neither issues a Registration Certificate nor rejects the registration within the initial 180 day review period, the Registration Form shall be deemed approved and the Board shall issue a Registration Certificate. If the Office of the Engineer neither issues a Registration Certificate nor rejects the registration within 30 days of certified receipt of a corrected Registration Form, the Registration Form shall be deemed approved and the Board shall issue a Registration Certificate.

4. Any Person filing a Registration Form or a corrected Registration Form with the Office of the Engineer pursuant to subsections (1) and (3) of this Section who is dissatisfied with the rejection of that corrected Registration Form by the Office of the Engineer pursuant to subsection (3) of this Section may appeal that rejection to the Board by filing a notice of appeal to the Board within 30 days of the rejection of the corrected Registration Form. To be filed, a notice must be placed in the custody of the Board within the time fixed for filing. Filing may be accomplished by mail addressed to the Board, but filing shall not be timely unless the papers are actually received within the time fixed for filing. Immediately upon receipt by the Board, the notice of appeal shall be date stamped.

5. Any appeal to the Board filed pursuant to subsection (4) of this Section shall be conducted pursuant to the provisions of Section 3-1-104 of this Ordinance.

2-1-103. Fee for Filing Registration of Existing Use of the Tribal Water Right. The Board shall not charge a fee for the processing of registrations or corrected registrations of Existing Uses of the Tribal Water Right.

2-1-104. Tribal Member and Allottee Entitlements Pursuant to 25 U.S.C. Section 381. All Tribal Members’ and Allottees’ entitlements pursuant to 25 U.S.C. Section 381 are hereby recognized and confirmed. The attributes of these entitlements shall be defined through either:

1. the process set forth in Section 2-1-101 et seq. of this Ordinance, if the Tribal Member or Allottee with an entitlement pursuant to 25 U.S.C. Section 381 also has a use of water eligible for the registration process set forth in those sections of this Ordinance; or

2. by applying for a New Appropriation as provided in Section 2-2-101 et. seq. of this Ordinance or by applying to develop a use of Flathead System Compact Water as provided in Section 2-2-118 of this Ordinance, if the Tribal Member or Allottee with an entitlement pursuant to 25 U.S.C. Section 381 does not have a use of water eligible for the registration process set forth in Section 2-1-101 et seq. of this Ordinance.

2-1-105. Tribal, Tribal Member and Allottee Challenge of a Registration Certificate Issued by the Office of the Engineer. The Tribes, Tribal Members, and Allottees may seek judicial review of any final decision by the Board pursuant to Section 2-1-102(4) of this Ordinance by filing a petition for judicial review with the Tribal Court of the Tribes within 30 days of the issuance of the final Board decision. In considering the petition, the Board’s legal conclusions shall be reviewed for correctness and its factual findings for abuse of discretion.

2-1-106. Registration of Certain Other Previously Unrecorded Existing Uses. Persons who have Existing Uses on the Reservation as of the effective date of this Ordinance shall register such Existing Uses with the Board if those uses:

1. Were not required to be filed, pursuant to 85-2-222, MCA, and in fact were not filed as claims in the Montana General Stream Adjudication for a pre-1973 use of water arising under State law; or

2. Were developed on or after July 1, 1973, at a volume and flow rate that would qualify as an exception to the permit requirements of 85-2-306, MCA, and for which a notice of completion of Groundwater development (DNRC Form 602) or an application for provisional permit for completed Stock Water pit or reservoir (DNRC Form 605) was filed with the DNRC but not processed by the DNRC.

3. Were developed after July 1, 1973, at a volume and flow rate that would qualify as an exception to the permit requirements of 85-2-306, MCA, and for which a notice of completion of Groundwater development (DNRC Form 602) or an application for provisional permit for completed Stock Water pit or reservoir (DNRC Form 605) was not filed with the DNRC.

2-1-107. Process for Registration of Certain Other Previously Unrecorded Existing Uses.

1. Each Person claiming an Existing Use of water that falls under the terms of Section 2-1-106 of this Ordinance shall, within 180 days of the effective date of this Ordinance, file a Registration Form with the Board documenting that the Existing Use is for a purpose and with a flow rate and volume that falls within the terms of Section 2-1-106, and identifying:

a. the date of first use of the water;

b. the source of supply for the use;

c. the point of diversion by legal land description;

d. the place of use by legal land description; and

e. the period of use.

2. Within 30 days of the Effective Date, the DNRC shall transmit to the Board all filed but not processed completion notices (DNRC Form 602 or 605) it has received for water uses excepted from the permitting requirements of State law developed within the boundaries of the Reservation after August 22, 1996. The transmission of these notices shall constitute compliance with Section 2-1-107(1) of this Ordinance for those uses eligible for registration pursuant to Section 2-1-106(2) of this Ordinance. No additional fee shall be required for the processing of the forms transmitted by the DNRC.

3. Upon receipt, the Board shall transmit the Registration Form to the Office of the Engineer.

4. Upon receipt of the Registration Form, the Office of the Engineer shall review the Registration Form within 180 days and may either issue a Registration Certificate or return a defective Registration Form to the filer, together with the reasons for returning it. If a corrected Registration Form is submitted within 30 days of its return by the Engineer, no new filing fee shall be required. Upon receiving a corrected Registration Form, the Office of the Engineer has 90 days from the certified receipt of the corrected Registration Form to issue a Registration Certificate or reject the registration. If the Office of the Engineer neither issue a Registration Certificate nor rejects the registration within the initial 180 day review period, the Registration Form shall be deemed approved and the Board shall issue a Registration Certificate. If the Office of the Engineer neither issues a Registration Certificate nor rejects the registration within 90 days of certified receipt of a corrected Registration Form, the Registration Form shall be deemed approved and the Board shall issue a Registration Certificate.

5. For any use registered under Section 2-1-106(1) of this Ordinance, the priority date of the use shall be the date of first beneficial use, and such a date shall be reflected on the Registration Certificate.

6. For any use under Section 2-1-106(2) of this Ordinance, the priority date for the use shall be the date of filing of the appropriate form, and such a date shall be reflected on the Registration Certificate.

7. For any use under Section 2-1-106(3) of this Ordinance, the priority date for the use shall be the Effective Date of the Compact, and that date shall be reflected on the Registration Certificate.

8. Any Person filing a corrected Registration Form with the Office of the Engineer pursuant to subsection (2) of this Section who is dissatisfied with the rejection of that corrected Registration Form by the Office of the Engineer pursuant to subsection (2) of this Section may appeal that rejection to the Board by filing a notice of appeal to the Board within 30 days of the rejection of the corrected Registration Form. To be filed, a notice must be placed in the custody of the Board within the time fixed for filing. Filing may be accomplished by mail addressed to the Board, but filing shall not be timely unless the papers are actually received within the time fixed for filing. Immediately upon receipt by the Board, the notice of appeal shall be date stamped.

9. Any appeal to the Board filed pursuant to subsection (6) of this Section shall be conducted pursuant to the provisions of Section 3-1-104 of this Ordinance.

2-1-108. Failure to Register an Existing Use of Water. Failure to register an Existing Use that is subject to registration as provided for under Sections 2-1-101, 2-1-102, and 2-1-106(2) and (3) of this Ordinance, shall divest the holder of the Existing Use of any legal protections otherwise afforded under the Compact and this Ordinance, to the extent not inconsistent with federal law.

2-1-109. Limitation to Beneficial Use. Beneficial use shall be the basis, measure and limit to Appropriation Rights issued pursuant to this Ordinance.

2-1-110. No Adverse Possession. No right to use water within the Reservation may be acquired by prescription or by adverse possession of use.

2-1-111. Abandonment of Appropriation Right.

1. No part of the Tribal Water Right is subject to abandonment by nonuse.

2. If an Appropriator, other than a user of any portion of the Tribal Water Right, ceases to use all or a part of an Appropriation Right, or any Existing Use, with the intention of wholly or partially abandoning the right, or if the appropriator ceases using the right according to its terms and conditions with the intention of not complying with those terms and conditions, the Appropriation Right or Existing Use is, to the extent of the nonuse, considered abandoned and must immediately expire.

3. If an Appropriator, other than a user of any portion of the Tribal Water Right, ceases to use all or part of an Appropriation Right or Existing Use, or ceases using the Appropriation Right or Existing Use according to its terms and conditions for a period of 10 successive years and there was water available for use, there is a prima facie presumption that the Appropriator has abandoned the right for the part not used.

4. If an Appropriator ceases to use all or part of an Appropriation Right or Existing Use in compliance with a candidate conservation agreement initiated pursuant to 50 CFR 17.32 or because the land to which the water is applied to a beneficial use is contracted under a state, tribal, or federal conservation, mitigation, or set-aside program:

a. the land set-aside and resulting reduction in use of the Appropriation Right or Existing Use from the conservation, mitigation, or set-aside program shall not be construed as an intent by the appropriator to wholly or partially abandon the Appropriation Right or Existing Use or to not comply with the terms and conditions attached to the right; and

b. the period of nonuse that occurs for part or all of the Appropriation Right or Existing Use as a result of the conservation, mitigation, or set-aside program shall not create and shall not be added to any previous period of nonuse to create a prima facie presumption of abandonment.

2-1-112. Procedure for Declaring Abandonment.

1. An Appropriator who claims to have been or alleges will be injured by the resumption of use of an Appropriation Right or Existing Use alleged to have been abandoned may file a petition with the Office of the Engineer to declare the Appropriation Right or Existing Use abandoned in whole or in part. Upon receipt of the petition, the Office of the Engineer shall date stamp it.

2. If the Engineer or Designee finds that the petition provides enough information to give rise to a question of abandonment, the petition shall be posted on the Board’s website within 10 working days of the determination of validity. If the Engineer or Designee finds that the petition fails to provide enough information to give rise to a question of abandonment, the petition shall be rejected.

3. Upon a finding of validity pursuant to subsection (2) of this Section, a hearing shall be set within 180 days of the determination of validity, or any extended period of time, not to exceed 90 days, granted by the Engineer, for the Engineer or Designee to determine whether the Appropriation Right or Existing Use has been abandoned. Discovery prior to hearing will be as provided by the Engineer or Designee, and may commence following the notice of the hearing.

4. The owner of the right alleged to have been abandoned shall be personally served notice of the hearing by the Office of the Engineer and the hearing shall be publicly noticed by the Office of the Engineer once via a legal notice in a local newspaper of general circulation and posted by the Office of the Engineer on the Board’s website for a period of 10 days commencing not less than 30 days from the date of the hearing.

5. At the hearing on the petition, the burden of proof shall be on the petitioner who must prove by a preponderance of the evidence that the Appropriation Right or Existing Use has been abandoned pursuant to Section 2-1-111 of this Ordinance, unless a prima facie presumption of abandonment has arisen pursuant to Section 2-1-111(3). In such circumstances, the burden of proof is shifted to the owner of the right alleged to have been abandoned, who must prove by a preponderance of the evidence a lack of intent to abandon the right in question.

6. The hearing shall be recorded electronically and an official record maintained. All evidence that, in the opinion of the Engineer or Designee, possesses probative value shall be admitted, including hearsay, if it is the type of evidence commonly relied upon by reasonably prudent Persons in the conduct of their normal business affairs. Rules of privilege recognized by law shall be given effect. Evidence which is irrelevant, immaterial, or unduly repetitious shall be excluded.

7. A written decision by the Engineer or Designee shall be rendered within 60 days of the hearing, disseminated to the parties, and posted by the Office of the Engineer on the Board’s website within 10 days of its issuance. If the individual who conducted the hearing becomes unavailable to the Office of the Engineer, a decision may be prepared by an individual who has read the record only if the demeanor of witnesses is considered immaterial by all parties; if any party considers the demeanor of any witness to be material to the resolution of the appeal, a new hearing must be held.

8. Any party to the abandonment hearing dissatisfied with the decision of the Engineer or Designee may appeal to the Board (and become an appellant) and obtain review of the Engineer’s or Designee’s decision. A notice of appeal to the Board must be filed with the Board within 30 days of the Engineer’s or Designee’s decision. To be filed, a notice must be placed in the custody of the Board within the time fixed for filing. Filing may be accomplished by mail addressed to the Board, but filing shall not be timely unless the papers are actually received within the time fixed for filing. Immediately upon receipt by the Board, the notice of appeal shall be date stamped.

9. Appeal to the Board pursuant to subsection (8) of this Section, shall be made and resolved pursuant to the provisions of Section 2-2-111 of this Ordinance.

10. Any petitioner whose petition is rejected by the Engineer or Designee as failing to provide enough information to give rise to a question of abandonment may appeal the Engineer’s decision to the Board pursuant to the provisions of Section 3-1-104 of this Ordinance.

2-1-113. Prevention of Waste and Interference with Lawful Use.

1. Waters within the Reservation may not be wasted, nor may water be used unlawfully, nor may a lawful use of water be interfered with.

2. All facilities, Works and equipment associated with the withdrawal, impoundment, pumping, diversion, drainage, or transmission of waters on the Reservation shall be so constructed, installed, and maintained as to prevent the Waste, contamination, or pollution of surface and Groundwater and to avoid injury to the lands and property of others. All wells, producing and non-producing, which may contaminate other surface or Groundwater must be properly abandoned or upgraded with a sanitary seal, in accordance with the water well criteria incorporated by reference in Section 1-1-111 of this Ordinance. All flowing wells shall be capped or equipped with valves so that the flow of water can be stopped when the water is not being put to beneficial use.

3. The Board, on its own initiative or through the Office of the Engineer, may require the recipient of any Appropriation Right issued pursuant to this Ordinance to construct or install a weir, head gate, valve, meter, gauge, or other reasonable and appropriate device for the control and measurement of water and for the prevention of Waste.

2-1-114. Issuance of Appropriation Right Does Not Constitute Permission to Trespass. The issuance of an Appropriation Right pursuant to this Ordinance does not constitute a license or permission to trespass on land which the holder of the Appropriation Right does not otherwise have a legal right to access, not does it constitute a ditch right.

2-1-115. Development of Enforceable Schedule for the Tribes’ Other Instream Flow Rights.

1. As set forth in the Compact, each of the Tribes’ instream flow rights identified in Article III.C.1.d.iii of the Compact shall not be enforceable until after an enforceable schedule for that stream reach is promulgated pursuant to the process set forth in this Section. This process shall not commence for any stream reach until the Compact has been finally approved by the Montana Water Court, and until the Montana Water Court has issued a final decree for the water court basin (76L or 76LJ) in which that stream reach lies, including the expiration of all time for appeals, or the resolution of any such appeal, whichever date is latest (the “Eligibility Date”).

2. At any time after the Eligibility Date, the Tribes may initiate the enforceable schedule process for any given stream reach included in the rights identified in Article III.C.1.d.iii of the Compact by:

a. providing notice to water rights holders in the reach of the Tribes’ initiation of the process to finalize and implement the enforceable schedule;

b. developing a full summary of all Water Rights Arising Under State Law in the reach, including a monthly time-step pattern of water use;

c. developing a summary of streamflow conditions, at or near each enforceable schedule compliance point within the reach area, utilizing:

i. streamflow gaging information; or

ii. an accepted hydrologic analysis procedure to estimate streamflow conditions. The method to develop streamflow information will be based on the professional judgment of the Tribes’ hydrologist responsible for coordinating the enforceable schedule process; and

d. preparing a report on the availability of water to fulfill the Tribes’ instream flow water right for that reach area.

3. The Tribes shall prepare each proposed enforceable schedule based on a water budget that allows valid water rights to be exercised.

4. The Tribes shall hold one or more public meetings, and provide timely advanced notice to affected water users of each such meeting, to report on the completion of the water availability study and the proposed enforceable schedule for that reach area.

5. The Tribes shall consider the public comment received either at the public meeting(s) or within 30 days thereafter, and shall finalize the proposed enforceable schedule for a given reach area no fewer than 45 days after the day of the last public meeting.

6. The Tribes shall provide written notice to the Engineer of the finalized proposed enforceable schedule, including an explanation of the technical basis therefore. Upon receipt, the Engineer shall forward the proposed enforceable schedule to Staff for review.

7. Staff, using information from the written notice, as well as their own compilation of independent resources and analysis, if available, shall issue a recommended decision as to whether to adopt the enforceable schedule within 90 days of the date of the written notice provided by the Tribes pursuant to subsection (6) of this Section.

8. If the recommended decision is to adopt the enforceable schedule, a summary of the proposed enforceable schedule and the recommended decision shall be publicly noticed by the Office of the Engineer once via a legal notice in a local newspaper of general circulation and posted by the Office of the Engineer on the Board’s website for a period not less than 45 days from the date the recommendation is issued. A summary of the proposed enforceable schedule and the recommended decision shall also be distributed electronically to individuals or entities who have registered with the Board to receive electronic notice. If no objections are filed within 45 days of the initial Publication of the recommended decision by the Office of the Engineer, or if all filed objections are unconditionally withdrawn prior to being ruled upon, the application shall be granted by the Engineer or Designee within 10 days after expiration of the time for filing objections or after the unconditional withdrawal of the last objection, whichever date is later.

9. Objections to a proposed enforceable schedule may be filed only by holders of water rights in the particular stream reach for which the enforceable schedule is proposed. The only cognizable ground for objection is that the proposed enforceable schedule will have an adverse effect on the objector’s water right. An objection must describe the alleged adverse effect on the objector’s water right. The burden of proof shall be on the objector.

10. An objector or the Tribes may elect to have any valid objection decided on the record or after hearing. If the objector elects to have a hearing, that request must be made at the same time as the filing of the objection or the objector’s right to a hearing is waived. The Tribes must invoke the right to a hearing within 10 days of receiving notice of the objection or the Tribes’ right to a hearing is waived.

11. Discovery prior to hearing will be as provided by the Engineer or Designee, and may commence following the receipt of a valid objection.

12. The Engineer or Designee, after issuance of notice of hearing, may not communicate with any party to that case or any party’s representative(s) in connection with any issue of fact or law in the case except upon notice and opportunity for all parties to participate.

13. The hearing shall be recorded electronically and an official record maintained.

14. All evidence that, in the opinion of the Engineer or Designee, possesses probative value shall be admitted, including hearsay, if it is the type of evidence commonly relied upon by reasonably prudent Persons in the conduct of their normal business affairs. Rules of privilege recognized by law shall be given effect. Evidence which is irrelevant, immaterial, or unduly repetitious shall be excluded.

15. A written decision by the Engineer or Designee shall be rendered within 60 days of the hearing, disseminated to the parties, and posted by the Office of the Engineer on the Board’s website within 10 days of its issuance. If the individual who conducted the hearing becomes unavailable to the Office of the Engineer, a decision may be prepared by an individual who has read the record only if the demeanor of witnesses is considered immaterial by all parties to the case. If any party considers the demeanor of any witness to be material to the resolution of the appeal, a new hearing must be held.

16. The Tribes or any objector dissatisfied with the final decision of the Engineer or Designee may appeal to the Board (and become an appellant) and obtain review of the Engineer’s or Designee’s decision. A notice of appeal to the Board must be filed with the Board within 30 days of the Engineer’s or Designee’s decision. To be filed, a notice must be placed in the custody of the Board within the time fixed for filing. Filing may be accomplished by mail addressed to the Board, but filing shall not be timely unless the papers are actually received within the time fixed for filing. Immediately upon receipt by the Board, the notice of appeal shall be date stamped. Appeal to the Board shall be resolved pursuant to the provisions of Section 2-2-111 of this Ordinance.

17. If the recommended decision is to reject the proposed enforceable schedule, the Tribes may withdraw the proposed enforceable schedule within 10 days of the issuance of the recommended decision, or may appeal the recommended decision to the Engineer by filing a notice of appeal within 30 days of issuance of the recommended decision. The Tribes may elect to have the appeal decided on the record, after submission of additional evidence and argument, or after hearing. If the Tribes elect to have a hearing, that request must be made at the same time as the filing of the notice of appeal or the right to a hearing is waived. The notice of appeal must specify those parts of the recommended decision claimed to be in error.

18. Within 60 days from the filing of the notice of appeal, or any extended period of time, not to exceed 60 days, granted by the Engineer or Designee, the Tribes may submit additional factual evidence and legal argument in support of the proposed enforceable schedule. Staff who issued the recommended decision shall have 45 days from the Tribes’ submission to revise, amend, or affirm the recommended decision in a second recommended decision that explains in writing the rationale for the second recommended decision.

19. If the recommended decision or second recommended decision is to reject the proposed enforceable schedule and no notice of appeal is filed pursuant to this Section, the proposed enforceable schedule shall be deemed rejected the day after expiration of the time for filing a notice of appeal. The rejection of a proposed enforceable schedule does not preclude the Tribes from filing another proposed enforceable schedule for the same or any other stream reach identified in the rights set forth in Article III.C.1.d.iii of the Compact.

20. The Tribes bear the burden of demonstrating to the Engineer or Designee by a preponderance of the evidence, whether a hearing is held or not, that the recommended decision or second recommended decision is in error.

21. If the Tribes request a hearing before the Engineer or Designee, a hearing shall be held no later than the latest of the following:

a. 90 days after the filing of the notice of appeal; or

b. 30 days after the issuance of a second recommended decision pursuant to subsection (2) of this Section, whichever is later.

22. The hearing shall be recorded electronically and an official record maintained. All evidence that, in the opinion of the Engineer or Designee, possesses probative value shall be admitted, including hearsay, if it is the type of evidence commonly relied upon by reasonably prudent Persons in the conduct of their normal business affairs. Rules of privilege recognized by law shall be given effect. Evidence which is irrelevant, immaterial, or unduly repetitious shall be excluded.

23. A decision by the Engineer or Designee to reverse, modify, or affirm the recommended decision or the second recommended decision shall be made in writing within 60 days after the later of:

a. the filing of a notice of appeal pursuant to subsection (1) of this Section;

b. the submission of additional evidence or legal argument pursuant to subsection (2) of this Section;

c. issuance of Staff’s second recommended decision; or

d. the completion of the hearing.

24. If the Engineer or Designee reverses the recommended decision or the second recommended decision, and determines that the enforceable schedule should not have been rejected, the proposed enforceable schedule shall be publicly noticed to the public and processed pursuant to the provisions of subsections (8)-(16) of this Section.

25. If the Engineer or Designee affirms the recommended decision or the second recommended decision, resulting in the rejection of the proposed enforceable schedule, the Tribes may either accept that decision by withdrawing the proposed enforceable schedule or taking no further action, or may appeal that decision to the Board pursuant to Section 2-2-111 of this Ordinance. If no timely notice of appeal is filed, the proposed enforceable schedule shall be deemed rejected on the day after the expiration of the time to file the notice of appeal.

26. Any final Board decision on implementation of the enforceable schedule made pursuant to the process outlined in this Section may be appealed pursuant to Section 2-2-112 of this Ordinance.

PART 2 – PERMIT AND CHANGE APPLICATION PROCESS

2-2-101. Appropriation Rights and Change in Use authorizations on the Reservation. After the Effective Date, a Person within the exterior boundaries of the Reservation may not Appropriate surface water or Groundwater for a new beneficial use, or change an Existing Use, or commence construction of diversion, impoundment, withdrawal, or related distribution Works except by applying for and receiving an Appropriation Right, or Change in Use authorization, from the Board.

2-2-102. Burden of Proof for Ground or Surface Water Permits and Change Authorizations.

1. For any application for an Appropriation Right or Change in Use that is not one of the categories of Appropriation Right identified in Sections 1-1-112(1) or 2-2-118 of this Ordinance, applicants for an Appropriation Right, or for a Change in Use authorization must prove by a preponderance of the evidence that the proposed new Appropriation Right or Change in Use authorization will not adversely affect any Appropriator.

2. For any application for an Appropriation Right or Change in Use that is not one of the categories of Appropriation Right identified in Sections 1-1-112(1) or 2-2-118 of this Ordinance, the Board, Engineer, or Designee may modify or condition the issuance of Appropriation Right or Change in Use authorization applied for, to assure that:

a. the new Appropriation Right or Change in Use authorization will not adversely affect any Appropriator;

b. the proposed means of diversion, construction, and operation of the appropriation Works are adequate;

c. except in the case of instream flows or other non-consumptive uses, the applicant has the possessory interest or the written consent of the Person(s) with possessory interest in the property where the water is to be put to beneficial use;

d. the water quality of an Appropriator will not be adversely affected;

e. the proposed use will be consistent with the classification of water set for the source of supply pursuant to water quality standards established under the federal Clean Water Act, 33 USC Section 1251 et seq., and contained in regulations promulgated under the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes’ Water Quality Management Ordinance, Tribal Ordinance 89B; and

f. the proposed Appropriation Right or Change in Use authorization will not impair the ability of a discharge permit holder to satisfy effluent limitations set forth in a permit issued in accordance with water quality standards established under the federal Clean Water Act, 33 USC Section 1251 et seq., and contained in regulations promulgated under the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes’ Water Quality Management Ordinance, Tribal Ordinance 89B.

2-2-103. Pre-Application Meeting with Office of the Engineer. Prior to applying to the Board for a new Appropriation Right or Change in Use authorization, within the exterior boundaries of the Flathead Reservation, applicants may meet informally with Staff regarding the application process and information requirements.

2-2-104. Application to Board.

1. An applicant for a new Appropriation Right or Change in Use authorization must:

a. pay the appropriate application fee in the amount set by the Board;

b. fill out completely:

i. the Flathead Reservation Appropriation Right Application; or

ii. the Flathead Reservation Application for a Change in Use authorization; and

iii. all applicable addenda;

c. attach to each application all required maps; and

d. sign, date, and notarize or otherwise swear under appropriate oath to the accuracy of the contents of each application.

2. Upon the day of the receipt of an application, or amendment to an application, for a new Appropriation Right or Change in Use authorization, the Office of the Engineer must stamp it received.

3. If an application for a new Appropriation Right is ultimately granted, the priority date of the application is the date the application is stamped received by the Office of the Engineer.

4. All application forms may, upon recommendation by the Engineer, be modified by a unanimous vote of the Board. Any such modification is pursuant to and does not constitute a modification of this Ordinance or the Compact.

2-2-105. Adequate to Process Review.

1. Within 30 days of receipt by the Office of the Engineer of an application for a new Appropriation Right or Change in Use authorization, Staff shall review the application and make a determination whether the application is adequate to process. An application is adequate to process if it:

a. clearly identifies the proposed project; and

b. contains the information required by the following forms:

i. Flathead Reservation Appropriation Right Application, including for Groundwater applications Addendum B – “Flathead Reservation Groundwater Minimum Aquifer Testing Requirements”; or

ii. Flathead Reservation Application for a Change in Use authorization.

2. Staff may waive aquifer testing requirements if sufficient hydrogeologic information already exists on the source and in the location of the proposed development.

3. An application determined to be adequate to process shall be posted on the Board’s website within 10 working days of the determination of adequacy.

2-2-106. Not Adequate to Process Determination.

1. If Staff determines an application for a new Appropriation Right or Change in Use authorization is not adequate to process, the Office of the Engineer shall send a letter to the applicant notifying the applicant of the defects in the application.

2. An applicant has 90 days from the date of mailing of the notice of inadequacy pursuant to subsection (1) of this Section to make the application adequate to process. An application for a new Appropriation Right whose defects are timely corrected and which is ultimately granted retains its priority of the date of the initial application.

3. Upon receipt of the information from the applicant to correct deficiencies, Staff must review the updated application and make a determination within 30 days whether the application is adequate to process.

4. An application that is not timely made adequate to process, either through the applicant’s failure to respond to the notice of inadequacy issued pursuant to subsection (1) of this Section within the timeframe set forth in subsection (2) of this Section, or by the applicant’s failure to provide sufficient information in response to a notice of inadequacy issued pursuant to subsection (1) of this Section within the timeframe set forth in subsection (2) of this Section, shall be deemed denied.

5. An applicant who disagrees with the decision to deny may appeal that decision to the Board pursuant to Section 3-1-104 of this Ordinance. If such an appeal is filed, the Engineer shall be the appellee.

2-2-107. Application Analysis and Recommended Decision.

1. Prior to the expiration of the time periods set forth in Sections 2-2-105(1), 2-2-106(2), 2-2-106(3), or 2-2-108(2) of this Ordinance, Staff may meet informally with an applicant to discuss an application, including any proposed Mitigation Plan. The results of such meetings shall be documented by a summary memo prepared by Staff and included in the application file. An applicant may also submit a memo documenting the meeting, which becomes part of the application file. If an application submitted pursuant to Section 2-2-104 or a Mitigation Plan submitted pursuant to Section 2-2-108(2) of this Ordinance is amended during this informal process, the amended application shall be reviewed by an individual on Staff who was not involved in the informal process to determine whether the amendments are so substantial that they constitute a new application. If it is determined that the amended application constitutes a new application, that application must be reviewed in its entirety pursuant to Sections 2-2-105 and 2-2-106 of this Ordinance. A new application fee must be submitted. A determination that an application amendment is so substantial as to constitute a new application may be appealed to the Engineer pursuant to Section 2-2-109 of this Ordinance.

2. Staff shall analyze an application determined to be adequate to process pursuant to Section 2-2-105 of this Ordinance within 180 days of the determination of adequacy using tools or techniques that may include:

a. independent resources compiled by Staff (including, but not limited to, Water Resources Surveys and field notes, aerial photographs, water rights decrees, stream gauging records, well logs, and water rights records);

b. water use records (water measurement, ranch logs, etc.) submitted by the applicant;

c. field inspection by Staff;

d. hydrologic or geohydrologic evaluation completed by Staff, provided that all model results, if any, shall be documented.

3. All information relied on by Staff in analyzing an application pursuant to this Section shall be documented in the application file.

4. Staff, using information from the application as well as their own compilation of independent resources and analysis, shall draft a recommended decision with findings of fact and conclusions of law determining:

a. whether the proposed Appropriation Right or Change in Use authorization will cause adverse effect to any Appropriator; and

b. whether and, if so, what amount of Mitigation is required before the proposed Appropriation Right or Change in Use authorization may be issued.

5. If the recommended decision is to grant the application, a summary of the application and the recommended decision shall be publicly noticed by the Office of the Engineer once via a legal notice in a local newspaper of general circulation and posted by the Office of the Engineer on the Board’s website for a period not less than 45 days from the date the recommendation is issued. A summary of the application and the recommended decision shall also be distributed electronically to individuals or entities who have registered with the Board to receive electronic notice. If no objections are filed within 45 days of the initial Publication of the recommended decision by the Office of the Engineer, or if all filed objections are unconditionally withdrawn prior to being ruled upon, the application shall be granted by the Engineer or Designee within 10 days after expiration of the time for filing objections or after the unconditional withdrawal of the last objection, whichever date is later.

6. If the recommended decision is to deny the application, the applicant may withdraw the application within 10 days of the issuance of the recommended decision or appeal the recommended decision to the Engineer pursuant to Section 2-2-109 of this Ordinance. The application filing fee shall not be refunded upon withdrawal. Failure to withdraw the application or file an appeal within the applicable timeframes shall result in the application being deemed denied on the day after the expiration of the time to appeal.

7. If the recommended decision is to grant the application with conditions other than Mitigation, the application shall be noticed to the public and processed pursuant to the procedures set forth in Sections 2-2-107(5) and 2-2-110 of this Ordinance unless the applicant withdraws the application within 30 days of the issuance of the recommended decision or appeals the recommended decision to the Engineer pursuant to Section 2-2-109 of this Ordinance. The application filing fee shall not be refunded upon withdrawal.

8. Amendments to applications are not allowed after the issuance of a recommended decision on that application, except as provided in Section 2-2-108(2) of this Ordinance.

2-2-108. Process if Mitigation Required.

1. If Staff analysis of an application concludes that Mitigation is necessary to approve an application, a recommended decision shall be issued to that effect. Upon issuance of a recommended decision finding that Mitigation is required, the applicant may:

a. withdraw the application (with no refund of the application filing fee);

b. appeal the recommended decision to the Engineer pursuant to Section 2-2-109 of this Ordinance; or

c. prepare a Mitigation Plan.

2. If the applicant chooses to prepare a Mitigation Plan, the running of the time set forth in Section 2-2-107(2) of this Ordinance for processing that application is suspended until a timely Mitigation Plan is received from the applicant. The Mitigation Plan must be submitted within 180 days of issuance of the recommended decision requiring Mitigation, or of the decision of the Engineer or Designee as set forth in Section 2-2-109(10) of this Ordinance, whichever date is later, and must include either or both of:

a. an application for a Change in Use authorization for another water right so as to provide for the required Mitigation; and/or

b. amendments describing the source, volume, flow rate, point of diversion, place of use, period of use, and place of storage of mitigation water that comes from other than a change authorization.

3. The running of the time set forth in Section 2-2-107(2) of this Ordinance for analyzing the application and issuing a recommended decision resumes upon the timely receipt by the Office of the Engineer of the material(s) required by subsection (2) of this Section.

4. If a Mitigation Plan is timely submitted by an applicant following a decision of the Engineer or Designee as set forth in Section 2-2-109(10) of this Ordinance, Staff shall issue a new recommended decision concerning the application within 180 days of the timely submission of the Mitigation Plan.

5. If the recommended decision is to grant the application conditioned on the Mitigation Plan submitted by the applicant pursuant to subsection (2) of this Section, the application shall be noticed to the public and processed pursuant to the procedures set forth in Sections 2-2-107(5) and 2-2-110 of this Ordinance.

6. If the recommended decision is to deny the application, the applicant may withdraw the application within 10 days of the issuance of the recommended decision or appeal the recommended decision to the Engineer pursuant to Section 2-2-109 of this Ordinance. The application filing fee shall not be refunded upon withdrawal. Failure to withdraw the application or file an appeal within the applicable timeframes shall result in the application being deemed denied on the day after the expiration of the time to appeal.

7. If the Mitigation Plan is not submitted within 180 days of issuance of the recommended decision requiring Mitigation the application shall be deemed denied.

2-2-109. Appeal to Engineer from Recommended Decision.

1. If a recommended decision issued pursuant to Sections 2-2-107 or 2-2-108 of this Ordinance is to deny an application, or grant it with a requirement of Mitigation or other conditions, the applicant may appeal to the Engineer by filing a notice of appeal within 30 days of issuance of the recommended decision. An applicant may elect to have the appeal decided on the record, after submission of additional evidence and argument, or after hearing. If the applicant elects to have a hearing, that request must be made at the same time as the filing of the notice of appeal or the right to a hearing is waived. The notice of appeal must specify those parts of the recommended decision claimed to be in error.

2. Within 60 days from the filing of the notice of appeal, or any extended period of time, not to exceed 60 days, granted by the Engineer or Designee, the applicant may submit additional factual evidence and legal argument in support of the application. Staff who issued the recommended decision shall have 45 days from the applicant’s submission to revise, amend, or affirm the recommended decision in a second recommended decision that explains in writing the rationale for the second recommended decision.

3. If the recommended decision or second recommended decision is to deny an application and no notice of appeal is filed pursuant to this Section, the application shall be deemed denied the day after expiration of the time for filing a notice of appeal.

4. The applicant bears the burden of demonstrating to the Engineer or Designee by a preponderance of the evidence, whether a hearing is held or not, that the recommended decision or second recommended decision is in error.

5. If the applicant requests a hearing before the Engineer or Designee, a hearing shall be held no later than the latest of the following:

a. 90 days after the filing of the notice of appeal; or

b. 30 days after the issuance of a second recommended decision pursuant to subsection (2) of this Section, whichever is later.

6. The hearing shall be recorded electronically and an official record maintained. All evidence that, in the opinion of the Engineer or Designee, possesses probative value shall be admitted, including hearsay, if it is the type of evidence commonly relied upon by reasonably prudent Persons in the conduct of their normal business affairs. Rules of privilege recognized by law shall be given effect. Evidence which is irrelevant, immaterial, or unduly repetitious shall be excluded.

7. A decision by the Engineer or Designee to reverse, modify, or affirm the recommended decision or the second recommended decision shall be made in writing within 60 days after the later of:

a. the filing of a notice of appeal pursuant to subsection (1) of this Section;

b. the submission of additional evidence or legal argument pursuant to subsection (2) of this Section;

c. issuance of Staff’s second recommended decision; or

d. the completion of the hearing.

8. If the Engineer or Designee reverses the recommended decision or the second recommended decision, and determines that the application should be granted, the application shall be publicly noticed to the public and processed pursuant to the provisions of Section 2-2-107(5) and Section 2-2-110 of this Ordinance.

9. If the Engineer or Designee affirms the recommended decision or the second recommended decision, resulting in the denial of an application, the applicant may either accept that decision by withdrawing the application or taking no further action, or may appeal that decision to the Board pursuant to Section 2-2-111 of this Ordinance. The application filing fee shall not be refunded upon withdrawal. If no timely notice of appeal is filed, the application shall be deemed denied on the day after the expiration of the time to file the notice of appeal.

10. If the Engineer or Designee affirms the recommended decision or the second recommended decision, resulting in the granting of an application with a requirement of conditions other than Mitigation, the applicant may withdraw the application; file with the Office of the Engineer written acceptance of the conditions within 30 days of the Engineer’s or Designee’s decision, in which case the application will be noticed to the public and processed pursuant to the provisions of Sections 2-2-107(5) and 2-2-110 of this Ordinance; or appeal the decision to the Board pursuant to Section 2-2-111 of this Ordinance. The application filing fee shall not be refunded upon withdrawal. Failure to withdraw the application, file written acceptance of the condition, or file an appeal within the applicable timeframes shall result in the application being deemed denied on the day after the expiration of the time to appeal.

11. If an applicant has appealed to the Engineer a Staff determination that Mitigation is necessary pursuant to Section 2-2-108(1)(b) of this Ordinance, and the Engineer or Designee affirms the recommended decision resulting in a determination that Mitigation is required before the application may be granted, the applicant may withdraw the application; appeal the decision to the Board pursuant to Section 2-2-111 of this Ordinance; or prepare a Mitigation Plan pursuant to Section 2-2-108(2) of this Ordinance. The application filing fee shall not be refunded upon withdrawal. Failure to withdraw the application, file a Mitigation Plan, or file an appeal within the applicable timeframes shall result in the application being deemed denied on the day after the expiration of the time to file a Mitigation Plan.

12. If the Engineer or Designee affirms a recommended decision or second recommended decision that found a Mitigation Plan inadequate to justify the issuance of the proposed Appropriation Right or Change in Use authorization, the applicant may either accept that decision by withdrawing the application or taking no further action, or may appeal that decision to the Board pursuant to Section 2-2-111 of this Ordinance. The application filing fee shall not be refunded upon withdrawal. If no timely notice of appeal is filed, the application shall be deemed denied on the day after the expiration of the time to file the notice of appeal.

13. Any applicant wishing to appeal a decision of the Engineer or Designee pursuant to this Section must file a notice of appeal with the Board. Any such notice of appeal must be filed with the Board within 30 days of the Engineer’s or Designee’s decision. To be filed, a notice must be placed in the custody of the Board within the time fixed for filing. Filing may be accomplished by mail addressed to the Board, but filing shall not be timely unless the papers are actually received within the time fixed for filing. Immediately upon receipt by the Board, the notice of appeal shall be date stamped.

2-2-110. Notice and Hearing on Recommended Decision to Grant.

1. Any Person alleging that they will suffer adverse effect from the grant of an application for proposed Appropriation Right or Change in Use authorization may file an objection to a recommended decision to grant an application. To be valid, an objection must describe the alleged adverse effect on the objector’s water right.

2. An objector or an applicant may elect to have any valid objection decided on the record or after hearing. If the objector elects to have a hearing, that request must be made at the same time as the filing of the objection or the objector’s right to a hearing is waived. The applicant must invoke the right to a hearing within 10 days of receiving notice of the objection or the applicant’s right to a hearing is waived.

3. Discovery prior to hearing will be as provided by the Engineer or Designee, and may commence following the receipt of a valid objection.

4. If, prior to the hearing, valid objections are withdrawn pursuant to an agreement between or among the applicant and objector(s) setting forth various conditions on the application, the Engineer or Designee shall grant the application subject to those conditions necessary to satisfy the criteria set forth in Section 2-2-102(1) of this Ordinance, but the Engineer or Designee has the discretion to accept or reject other conditions of the agreement between or among the applicant and objector(s).

5. The Engineer or Designee, after issuance of notice of hearing, may not communicate with any party to that case or any party’s representative(s) in connection with any issue of fact or law in the case except upon notice and opportunity for all parties to participate.

6. The hearing shall be recorded electronically and an official record maintained.

7. All evidence that, in the opinion of the Engineer or Designee, possesses probative value shall be admitted, including hearsay, if it is the type of evidence commonly relied upon by reasonably prudent Persons in the conduct of their normal business affairs. Rules of privilege recognized by law shall be given effect. Evidence which is irrelevant, immaterial, or unduly repetitious shall be excluded.

8. The burden of proof is on the applicant to prove the applicable criteria of Section 2-2-102(1) of this Ordinance by a preponderance of evidence.

9. A written decision by the Engineer or Designee shall be rendered within 60 days of the hearing, disseminated to the parties, and posted by the Office of the Engineer on the Board’s website within 10 days of its issuance. If the individual who conducted the hearing becomes unavailable to the Office of the Engineer, a decision may be prepared by an individual who has read the record only if the demeanor of witnesses is considered immaterial by all parties to the case. If any party considers the demeanor of any witness to be material to the resolution of the appeal, a new hearing must be held.

10. Any applicant or objector dissatisfied with the final decision of the Engineer or Designee may appeal to the Board (and become an appellant) and obtain review of the Engineer’s or Designee’s decision. A notice of appeal to the Board must be filed with the Board within 30 days of the Engineer’s or Designee’s decision. To be filed, a notice must be placed in the custody of the Board within the time fixed for filing. Filing may be accomplished by mail addressed to the Board, but filing shall not be timely unless the papers are actually received within the time fixed for filing. Immediately upon receipt by the Board, the notice of appeal shall be date stamped.

2-2-111. Appeal to the Board.

1. Any question not raised before the Engineer or Designee may not be raised in the appeal to the Board unless it is shown to the satisfaction of the Board that there was good cause for failure to raise the question before the Engineer or Designee.

2. Appeal to the Board of decisions of the Engineer or Designee shall be confined to the record. If, before the date set for hearing the appeal, application is made to the Board for leave to present additional evidence and it is shown to the satisfaction of the Board that the additional evidence is material and that there were good reasons for failing to present it in the proceeding before the Engineer or Designee, the Board may order that the additional evidence be taken before the Engineer or Designee upon conditions determined by the Board, including the deadline for submission of additional evidence to the Engineer or Designee and for the conclusion of the Engineer’s or Designee’s review of any such additional evidence. The Engineer or Designee may modify the findings and decision by reason of the additional evidence or may affirm the prior decision and shall file a modified decision or notice of affirming the decision with the Board pursuant to a reasonable deadline set by the Board.

3. If the appellant requests an oral argument, the Board must hold oral argument on the appeal. If the appellant does not request an oral argument, the Board may, in its discretion, order oral argument or may resolve the appeal without one.

4. Review by the Board:

a. the review by the Board must be confined to the record. In cases of alleged irregularities in procedure before the Engineer or Designee not shown in the record, proof of the irregularities may be taken by the Board. The Board, upon request, shall hear oral argument and receive written briefs.

b. the Board may not substitute its judgment for that of the Engineer or Designee as to the weight of the evidence on questions of fact.

c. the Board may affirm the decision of the Engineer or Designee or remand the case for further proceedings.

d. the Board may reverse or modify the decision if substantial rights of an appellant have been prejudiced because:

i. the Engineer’s or Designee’s findings, inferences, conclusions, or decisions are:

(1) in violation of constitutional or statutory provisions;

(2) in excess of the authority of the Engineer or Designee;

(3) made upon unlawful procedure;

(4) affected by other error of law;

(5) clearly erroneous in view of the record as a whole;

(6) arbitrary or capricious or characterized by abuse of discretion or clearly unwarranted exercise of discretion; or

ii. findings of fact, upon issues essential to the decision, were not made although requested.

2-2-112. Appeal to Court of Competent Jurisdiction. Pursuant to Article IV.I.6 of the Compact, an aggrieved party may obtain review of a final decision of the Board by filing a petition for judicial review with a Court of Competent Jurisdiction within 30 days of the issuance of the final Board decision. In considering the petition, the Board’s legal conclusions shall be reviewed for correctness and its factual findings for abuse of discretion. In the event that a court determines that it lacks subject matter or personal jurisdiction to rule on a petition for judicial review of a Board decision, the party filing the petition shall be entitled to petition for judicial review from any other Court of Competent Jurisdiction within thirty days from the date of a final court order finding lack of jurisdiction.

2-2-113. Completion.

1. Whenever an Appropriation Right or Change in Use authorization is issued under this Chapter, the Engineer or Designee shall specify in writing as part of the Appropriation Right or Change in Use authorization issued, or in any authorized extension of time provided pursuant to subsection (2) of this Section, the time limits for commencement of the appropriation Works, completion of construction, and actual application of water to the proposed beneficial use. In fixing those time limits, the Engineer or Designee shall consider the cost and magnitude of the project, the engineering and physical features to be encountered, and, on projects designed for gradual development and gradually increased use of water, the time reasonably necessary for that gradual development and increased use. The Engineer or Designee shall issue the Appropriation Right or Change in Use authorization, or the authorized extension of time, subject to the terms, conditions, restrictions and limitations the Engineer or Designee considers necessary to ensure that work on the Appropriation is commenced, conducted, and completed and that the water is actually applied in a timely manner to the beneficial use specified in the Appropriation Right or Change in Use authorization.

2. The Engineer or Designee, for good cause shown, may extend the time limits specified in the Appropriation Right or Change in Use authorization for commencement of the appropriation Works, completion of construction, and actual application of water to the proposed beneficial use. If commencement of the appropriation Works, completion of construction, or actual application of water to the proposed beneficial use is not completed within the time limit set forth in the Appropriation Right or Change in Use authorization, or by any extension granted pursuant to this subsection, the Appropriation Right or Change in Use authorization is void upon lapse of the time limit.

3. Any owner of an Appropriation Right or Change in Use authorization who disagrees with the time limit specified by the Engineer or Designee pursuant to subsections (1) and (2) of this Section may appeal the Engineer’s decision to the Board pursuant to Section 2-2-111 of this Ordinance. A notice of appeal must be filed with the Board within 30 days of the Engineer’s or Designee’s decision. To be filed, a notice must be placed in the custody of the Board within the time fixed for filing. Filing may be accomplished by mail addressed to the Board, but filing shall not be timely unless the papers are actually received within the time fixed for filing.

2-2-114. Compliance with Completion Deadline. Upon actual application of water to the proposed beneficial use within the time allowed by the Engineer or Designee pursuant to Section 2-2-113 of this Ordinance, the owner of the Appropriation Right or Change in Use authorization shall notify the Office of the Engineer that the Appropriation has been completed. The notification must contain a certified statement by an individual with experience in the design, construction, or operation of appropriation Works describing how the Appropriation was completed. The Office of the Engineer shall review the certified statement and may then inspect the Appropriation, and if it determines that the Appropriation has been completed in substantial accordance with the Appropriation Right or Change in Use authorization, it shall issue the owner of the Appropriation Right or Change in Use authorization a Flathead Reservation Appropriation Right Document. The original of the document shall be sent to the owner of the Appropriation Right or Change in Use authorization, and a duplicate shall be kept in the Office of the Engineer.

2-2-115 Redundant and Substitute Wells.

1. An Appropriator may change an Appropriation Right or Existing Use without first applying for a Change in Use authorization pursuant to Sections 2-2-101 et seq. of this Ordinance for the purpose of constructing a Substitute Well if:

a. the rate and volume of the appropriation from the Substitute Well are equal to or less than that of the Well being replaced;

b. the water from the Substitute Well is appropriated from the same Groundwater source as the water appropriated from the Well being replaced; and

c. a timely, correct and complete Notice of Substitute Well is submitted to the Engineer as provided in subsection 2 of this Section.

2. Review.

a. Within 60 days after a Substitute Well is completed and delivering water, the Appropriator shall file a Notice of Substitute Well with the Office of the Engineer on a form provided by the Board. Upon receipt of the Notice, the Office of the Engineer shall date stamp it.

b. The Engineer or Designee shall review the Notice of Substitute Well within 90 days of the date stamped on it pursuant to subsection (2)(a) of this Section, and shall issue a Change in Use authorization if all of the criteria identified in subsection (1) of this Section have been met and the Notice of Substitute Well is correct and complete.

c. The Engineer or Designee may not issue a Change in Use authorization until a correct and complete Notice of Substitute Well has been filed with the Office of the Engineer. The Office of the Engineer shall return to the Appropriator a Notice that is determined by Staff to be defective, along with a description of defects in the Notice. The Appropriator shall refile a corrected and completed Notice of Substitute Well within 30 days of notification of defects or within a further time as the Engineer or Designee may allow, not to exceed 180 days. If the Appropriator does not refile within that timeframe, the Appropriation Right will be deemed denied and the Appropriator must then comply with the provisions of subsection (d) of this Section.

d. If a Notice of Substitute Well is not completed within the time allowed, the Appropriator shall:

i. cease appropriation of water from the Substitute Well pending approval by the Engineer or Designee; and

ii. submit an application for a Change in Use authorization pursuant to Section 2-2-104 of this Ordinance; or

iii. comply with the well abandonment procedures, standards and rules adopted by the board of water well contractors pursuant to 37-43-202, MCA, or any successor procedures, standards and rules that are promulgated in State law.

3. Wells that have been determined to be abandoned pursuant to Sections 2-1-111 and 2-1-112 of this Ordinance are not eligible to be replaced by Substitute Wells under this Section.

4. For each well that is replaced under subsection (1) of this Section, the appropriator shall follow the well abandonment procedures, standards, and rules adopted by the board of water well contractors pursuant to 37-43-202, MCA, or any successor procedures, standards and rules that are promulgated in State law.

5. An Appropriator may change an Appropriation Right or Existing Use without first applying for a Change in Use authorization pursuant to Section 2-2-101, et seq. of this Ordinance for the purpose of constructing a Redundant Well in a Public Water Supply System if the Redundant Well:

a. withdraws water from the same Groundwater source as the original well; and

b. is required by a State, federal, or Tribal agency.

6. The priority date of the Redundant Well is the same as the priority date of the original well. Only one well may be used at one time.

7. Within 60 days of completion of a Redundant Well, the Appropriator shall file a Notice of Construction of Redundant Well with the Office of the Engineer on a form provided by the Board. The Engineer or Designee shall review and process the Notice pursuant to the procedures set forth in subsection (2) of this Section.

8. If a Notice of Construction of Redundant Well is not completed within the time allowed, the Appropriator shall:

a. cease appropriation of water from the Redundant Well pending approval by the Engineer or Designee; and

b. submit an application for a Change in Use authorization pursuant to Section 2-2-104 of this Ordinance; or

c. comply with the well abandonment procedures, standards and rules adopted by the board of water well contractors pursuant to 37-43-202, MCA, or any successor procedures, standards and rules that are promulgated in State law.

9. Any Appropriator aggrieved by a determination that a corrected Notice required by subsection (2) or (7) of this Section, as applicable, is defective may appeal that determination to the Board by filing a notice of appeal to the Board within 30 days of the rejection of the corrected Notice. To be filed, a notice must be placed in the custody of the Board within the time fixed for filing. Filing may be accomplished by mail addressed to the Board, but filing shall not be timely unless the papers are actually received within the time fixed for filing.

10. Any appeal to the Board filed pursuant to subsection (9) of this Section shall be conducted pursuant to the provisions of Section 3-1-104 of this Ordinance. If such an appeal is filed, the Engineer shall be the appellee.

2-2-116. Appropriation Rights for Stock Water Allowances.

1. Appropriation Rights for Stock Water Allowances include Stock Water Well Allowances, Stock Water Pit Allowances, and Stock Water Tank Served by Surface Water Allowances.

2. A Stock Water Well Allowance may be sourced from either Wells or Developed Springs.

3. A Stock Water Pit Allowance may be sourced from Groundwater seepage or a non-perennial stream.

4. A Stock Water Tank Served by Surface Water Allowance may be sourced from a perennial or non-perennial stream.

5. Before appropriating water for a Stock Water Well, approval from the Engineer is required. The Engineer may approve a Stock Water Well Allowance if:

a. the Well construction complies with the requirements of Section 1-1-111 of this Ordinance;

b. the maximum flow rate is 35 gallons per minute or less;

c. the maximum annual diverted volume is 2.4 acre-feet or less;

d. the means of diversion is a single Well or Developed Spring;

e. the well is not physically connected to a Home or Business;

f. the means of diversion includes Well Shaft Casing; and

g. Stock Water use associated with the Appropriation is dispensed using Stock Tanks.

6. Before appropriating water for a Stock Water Pit Allowance, approval from the Engineer is required. The Engineer can approve a Stock Water Pit allowance if:

a. the capacity of the Stock Water Pit is 5 acre feet or less;

b. the maximum annual appropriated volume is 10 acre feet or less;

c. the Stock Water Pit Allowance is sourced from Groundwater seepage, a non-perennial stream, or both, provided that a ditch or pipeline is not used;

d. the Stock Water Pit Allowance is constructed on and accessible to a parcel of land 40 acres or larger and owned or under control of the applicant; and

e. the construction of the means of diversion complies with Tribal Ordinance 87(A) (Aquatic Lands Conservation Ordinance).

7. Before appropriating water for a Stock Water Tank Served by Surface Water Allowance, approval from the Engineer is required. The Engineer can approve a Stock Water Tank Served by Surface Water Allowance if:

a. the maximum flow rate is 10 gallons per minute or less;

b. the combined maximum annual diverted volume is 2.4 acre-feet or less;

c. the means of conveyance is a fully contained pipe or hose. Open ditch conveyance is not allowed;

d. the construction of the means of diversion complies with Tribal Ordinance 87(A) (Aquatic Lands Conservation Ordinance); and

e. Stock Water associated with the appropriation is dispensed using one or more Stock Tanks.

8. An applicant must file a completed Application for a Stock Water Allowance with the Office of the Engineer and obtain approval from the Engineer before developing and appropriating water for Stock Water use pursuant to this Section. A complete application shall also include:

a. proof that the applicant has the possessory interest or the written consent of the Person(s) with possessory interest in the property where the point of diversion is located and where the water is to be put to beneficial use, and property rights in the diversion Works; and

b. a site-map that shows, in addition to the requirements of Section 1-1-110(12) of this Ordinance, the location of all proposed Stock Water Allowance development(s) including latitude and longitude in decimal degrees. The map must include the entire property boundaries where the Stock Water Allowance development is proposed, or a minimum radius of 500 feet from any proposed Stock Water Allowance development, whichever is greater, and include any of the following that are in existence or are proposed by the applicant:

i. well(s), Pits and Stock Tanks including purpose of each;

ii. buildings on the site, including identification of Well connections;

iii. property lines and ownerships; and

iv. means of conveyance, water right points of diversions, and surface water features.

9. Upon receipt of a completed application form complying with subsection (8) of this Section, the Office of the Engineer shall date stamp the application form.

10. The Engineer or Designee shall review the application within 30 days of the date stamped on the application pursuant to subsection (9) of this Section, and within that timeframe may either approve the application or return a defective application to the applicant with a written explanation of the defects. If a corrected application is submitted within 30 days of its return by the Office of the Engineer, no new filing fee shall be required. Upon receiving a corrected application, which shall be date stamped by the Office of the Engineer upon receipt, the Engineer or Designee has 30 days from the date stamped on the corrected application pursuant to this subsection (10) to approve or deny the application.

11. If the Engineer or Designee does not approve or return an application within 30 days of the date stamped on the application pursuant to subsection (9) of this Section, the application shall be deemed approved. If the Engineer or Designee does not approve or deny a corrected application within 30 days of the date stamped on the application pursuant to subsection (10) of this Section, the application shall be deemed approved.

12. Once an applicant meets the requirements of subsections (5) through (9) of this Section, as applicable, and an application is approved by the Engineer or Designee under subsection (10) or (11) of this Section, the Office of the Engineer shall issue an authorization to develop a Stock Water Allowance. The authorization to develop a Stock Water Allowance entitles an Appropriator to construct the authorized type of Stock Water Allowance within, but not to exceed, one year of the date of approval.

13. An Appropriation Right for a Stock Water Allowance becomes valid and final when, within 120 days of completing the diversion Works and putting the water to beneficial use, an Appropriator files a Stock Water Allowance completion form accurately and completely. The completion form for a Stock Water Well Allowance must include a copy of the companion Well Log Report(s), and must identify the as-built attributes of any Well, Pit or Stock Tank constructed. If the as-built attributes are less than or equal to the size of the Allowance for which the applicant originally applied, a Certificate of Stock Water Allowance shall be issued for the as-built attributes. No Certificate of Stock Water Allowance may be issued if the as-built system exceeds the volumes or flow rates set forth in subsections (5), (6) or (7) of this Section, as applicable.

14. If an Appropriation Right for a Stock Water Allowance is revoked by the Board pursuant to the provisions of Section 3-1-112(3) of this Ordinance, or is determined to be abandoned pursuant to the provisions of Sections 2-1-111 and 2-1-112 of this Ordinance, or is voluntarily abandoned, the Appropriator shall, within 180 days of the revocation or voluntary abandonment, fill in and rehabilitate any Pits, Pit-dams, Constructed Ponds, or Reservoirs associated with the revoked or abandoned Appropriation Right for a Stock Water Allowance, and shall, within 180 days of the revocation or voluntary abandonment, seal any tanks or supply lines associated with the revoked or abandoned Appropriation Right for a Stock Water Allowance.

2-2-117. Appropriation Rights for Domestic Allowances for Homes and Businesses; process for application, review, and issuance.

1. Appropriation Rights for Domestic Allowances include Individual Domestic Allowances, Shared Domestic Allowances and Development Domestic Allowances. An Individual Domestic Allowance may be used only to serve an individual Home or Business. A Shared Domestic Allowance may be used only to serve no less than two and no more than three Homes and/or Businesses. A Development Domestic Allowance may be used only to serve a Development.

2. A Domestic Allowance may be sourced from either Wells or Developed Springs.

3. A Domestic Allowance may not be used to fill or maintain Pits, Pit-Dams, Constructed Ponds, or Reservoirs.

4. Before appropriating water for Domestic Use for an Individual Domestic Allowance, approval from the Engineer is required. The Engineer may approve an Individual Domestic Allowance if:

a. the Well construction complies with the requirements of Section 1-1-111 of this Ordinance;

b. the maximum flow rate is 35 gallons per minute or less;

c. the maximum annual diverted volume is 2.4 acre-feet or less;

d. the means of diversion is a single Well or Developed Spring;

e. the Well is physically connected to and serves one and only one Home or Business;

f. the means of diversion includes Well Shaft Casing;

g. Stock Water use associated with the allowance is dispensed using Stock Tanks; and

h. the amount of land to be irrigated by the allowance is 0.7 acres or less.

5. Before appropriating water for a Shared Domestic Allowance, approval from the Engineer is required. The Engineer may approve a Shared Domestic Allowance if:

a. the Well construction complies with the requirements of Section 1-1-111 of this Ordinance;

b. the maximum flow rate is 35 gallons per minute or less;

c. the maximum annual diverted volume is 2.4 acre-feet or less;

d. the means of diversion is a single Well or Developed Spring;

e. the Well is physically connected to not less than two and not more than three Homes and/or Businesses that are not a Development;

f. the means of diversion includes Well Shaft Casing;

g. Stock Water use associated with the allowance is dispensed using Stock Tanks;

h. if the Well is connected to two homes and/or businesses, the amount of land to be irrigated with the allowances is 0.5 acres or less. If the well is connected to three Homes and/or Businesses, the amount of land to be irrigated by the allowance is 0.75 acres or less; and

i. the application includes a copy of the Shared Well Agreement signed by all parties.

6. Before appropriating water for a Development Domestic Allowance, approval from the Engineer is required. The Engineer may approve a Development Domestic Allowance if:

a. the Well construction complies with the requirements of Section 1-1-111 of this Ordinance;

b. the maximum flow rate from each Well or Developed Spring is 35 gallons per minute or less;

c. the combined maximum annual diverted volume from all wells and Developed Springs is 10 acre-feet or less;

d. Measurement devices approved by the Engineer and capable of recording cumulative volumes are installed on each Well or Developed Spring;

e. the means of diversion is one or more Wells and/or Developed Springs not to exceed one Well or Developed Spring per Home or Business within the Development;

f. the means of diversion includes Well Shaft Casing;

g. the allowance is physically connected to multiple Homes and/or Businesses that together constitute a Development;

h. Stock Water use associated with the allowance is dispensed using Stock Tanks;

i. the amount of land to be irrigated with the allowances is limited to 0.25 acres or less for each Home or Business within the Development;

j. the application includes a copy of any Shared Well Agreement(s) signed by all parties, if applicable;

k. the water supply requirements for all Homes and Businesses within the Development are satisfied by the allowance; and

l. the applicant includes a copy of the development plan, plat, or equivalent as required by the associated county government.

7. The owner(s) or operator(s) of a Development Domestic Allowance must submit a Development Domestic Allowance Water Measurement Report by March 31st of the year following the year covered by the report.

8. An applicant must file a completed Application for a Domestic Allowance and obtain approval from the Engineer before drilling any Well(s) or developing any spring(s) and putting water to use pursuant to this Section. A completed application shall also include:

a. proof that the applicant has a possessory interest or the written consent of the Person(s) with possessory interest in the property where the point of diversion is located and where the water is to be put to beneficial use, and property rights in the diversion Works; and

b. a site-map that shows, in addition to the requirements of Section 1-1-110(12) of this Ordinance, the location of all proposed Wells and Developed Springs including latitude and longitude in decimal degrees. The map must include the entire property boundaries where the Well associated with the Domestic Allowance is proposed, or a minimum of 500 feet in radius around the proposed Well(s) or Developed Spring(s), whichever is greater, and include any existing or proposed by the applicant:

i. Well(s) and Stock Tanks, including purpose of each well;

ii. sewage facilities including septic tanks and drainfields;

iii. buildings on the site, including identification of Well connections;

iv. property lines and ownerships;

v. irrigated acres per lot or unit Well(s); and

vi. means of conveyance, water right points of diversions, and surface water features.

9. Upon receipt of a completed application form complying with subsection (8) of this Section, the Office of the Engineer shall date stamp the application form.

10. The Engineer or Designee shall review the application within 30 days of the date stamped on the application pursuant to subsection (9) of this Section, and within that timeframe may either approve the application or return a defective application to the applicant, together with a written explanation of the defects. If a corrected application is submitted within 30 days of its return by the Office of the Engineer, no new filing fee shall be required. Upon receiving a corrected application, which shall be date stamped by the Office of the Engineer upon receipt, the Engineer or Designee has 30 days from the date stamped on the corrected application pursuant to this subsection (10) to approve or deny the application.

11. If the Engineer or Designee does not approve or return an application within 30 days of the date stamped on the application pursuant to subsection (9) of this Section, the application shall be deemed approved. If the Engineer or Designee does not approve or deny a corrected application within 30 days of the date stamped on it pursuant to subsection (10) of this Section, the application shall be deemed approved.

12. Once an applicant meets the requirements of subsections (4), (5), or (6) of this Section, as applicable, as well as the requirements of subsection (8) of this Section, and an application is approved by the Engineer or Designee under subsection (10) or (11) of this Section, the Office of the Engineer shall issue an authorization to develop a Domestic Allowance. The authorization to develop a Domestic Allowance entitles an Appropriator to construct the authorized type of Domestic Allowance within, but not to exceed, one year of the date of approval.

13. An Appropriation Right for a Domestic Allowance becomes valid and final when, within 120 days of completing the Well(s) or Developed Spring(s) and putting the water to beneficial use, an Appropriator files a Domestic Allowance completion form accurately and completely. The completion form must also include a copy of the companion Well Log Report(s), and must identify the as-build attributes of any Well or Stock Tank constructed. If the as-built attributes are less than or equal to the size of the allowance for which the applicant originally applied, a Certificate of Domestic Allowance shall be issued for the as-built attributes. No Certificate of Domestic Allowance may be issued if the as-built system exceeds the volumes or flow rates set forth in subsections (4), (5) or (6) of this Section, as applicable.

14. If an Appropriation Right for a Domestic Allowance is revoked by the Board pursuant to the provisions of Section 3-1-112(3) of this Ordinance, or is determined to be abandoned pursuant to the provisions of Sections 2-1-111 and 2-1-112 of this Ordinance, or is voluntarily abandoned, the Appropriator shall, within 180 days of the revocation or voluntary abandonment, follow the well abandonment procedures, standards, and rules adopted by the board of water well contractors pursuant to 37-43-202, MCA, or any successor procedures, standards and rules that are promulgated in State law, for any Well associated with the revoked or abandoned Appropriation Right for a Domestic Allowance.

2-2-118. Process for development of new uses from Flathead System Compact Water.

1. Subject to the terms and conditions of the Compact, the Tribal Council or its delegate, or any Person with the written consent of the Tribal Council or its delegate, may apply to utilize Flathead System Compact Water for any beneficial use within the Reservation by submitting a correct and complete application to the Office of the Engineer.

2. A correct and complete application for a use of Flathead System Compact Water shall contain the following information:

a. the name of the applicant;

b. a description of the proposed purpose of use;

c. the point of diversion;

d. the means of diversion;

e. the place of use;

f. the flow rate, volume diverted, and volume consumed;

g. the means of conveyance;

h. the period of use;

i. the duration or term of the proposed use;

j. a project plan, including a proposed completion period and, if applicable, a list of water rights to be used in conjunction with or to be replaced by the proposed use of Flathead System Compact Water for which the application is being filed;

k. a map depicting all the features described in this subsection (2); and

l. if the applicant is not the Tribal Council or its delegate, written authorization from the Tribal Council or its delegate to submit the application.

3. Upon receipt of a completed application for the use of Flathead System Compact Water, the Office of the Engineer shall date stamp it.

4. Staff shall analyze the application for the use of Flathead System Compact Water within 180 days of the date stamped on the application pursuant to subsection (3) of this Section using the tools and techniques identified in Section 2-2-107(2) of this Ordinance to determine compliance with the criteria identified in Section 2-2-102(2)(b) through (f) of this Ordinance.

5. All information relied upon by Staff in analyzing an application pursuant to this Section shall be documented in the application file.

6. Staff, using information from the application as well as their own compilation of independent resources and analysis, shall draft a recommended decision with findings of fact and conclusions of law determining whether the application satisfies the criteria set forth in Section 2-2-102(2)(b) through (f) of this Ordinance.

7. If the recommended decision is to grant the application, a summary of the application and the recommended decision shall be publicly noticed by the Office of the Engineer once via legal notice in a newspaper of general circulation on the Reservation and shall be posted on the Board’s website for a period of 45 days from the date the recommended decision is issued, during which time objections may be filed with the Engineer. If no objections are filed, or if all filed objections are withdrawn prior to being ruled upon, the application shall be granted by the Engineer within 10 days after expiration of the time for filing objections, or after the unconditional withdrawal of the last objection, whichever date is later.

8. If the recommended decision is to deny the application, the applicant may appeal the recommended decision to the Engineer pursuant to the provisions of Section 2-2-109 of this Ordinance.

9. If the recommended decision is to grant the application with conditions, the application shall be noticed to the public pursuant to the provisions of subsection (7) of this Section unless the applicant withdraws the application within 30 days of the issuance of the recommended decision or appeals the recommended decision to the Engineer pursuant to the provisions of Section 2-2-109 of this Ordinance. The application filing fee shall not be refunded upon withdrawal.

10. To be valid for processing, an objection to an application for the use of Flathead System Compact Water must assert and describe how the proposed development of Flathead System Compact Water fails to comply with one or more of the criteria set forth in Section 2-2-102(2)(b) through (f) of this Ordinance. Any such valid objection shall be resolved pursuant to the procedures set forth in Sections 2-2-110 through 2-2-112 of this Ordinance, provided however, that the burden of proof in the hearing before the Engineer or Designee shall be on the objector to prove by a preponderance of the evidence that the application fails to comply with one or more of the criteria set forth in Section 2-2-102(2)(b) through (f) of this Ordinance.

11. Unless an objection to the application is sustained, the application shall be granted within 10 days of expiration of the time to appeal the decision relating to any objection or after the exhaustion of the objector’s last appeal, whichever date is later.

12. The priority date of any use of Flathead System Compact Water is the date of the Tribes’ Flathead System Compact Water right as set forth in Article III.C.1.c of the Compact.

2-2-119. Appropriation Rights for Non-consumptive Geothermal Heating or Cooling Exchange Wells.

1. Appropriation Rights may be issued for non-consumptive geothermal heating or cooling exchange Wells with a maximum appropriation of 350 gallons a minute or less if all of the water extracted is returned without delay to the same source aquifer, if the distance between the extraction well and both the nearest existing well and any hydraulically connected surface waters is more than twice the distance between the extraction well and the Injection Well, and if all Well construction complies with the requirements of Section 1-1-111 of this Ordinance. Before appropriating water for a use described in this subsection (1), approval of the Engineer is required.

2. An applicant must file a completed application form and obtain approval from the Engineer before drilling any Well(s) or developing any spring(s) and putting water to use pursuant to this Section. A completed application shall also include:

a. proof that the applicant has the possessory interest or the written consent of the Person(s) with possessory interest in the property where the point of diversion is located and where the water is to be put to beneficial use, and property rights in the diversion Works; and

b. a site-map showing the location of all proposed wells including latitude and longitude in decimal degrees. The map must also include the entire property boundaries where the Wells are proposed, or a minimum of 500 feet in radius around the proposed Well(s) or spring(s), whichever is greater, and include any of the following that exist or are proposed by the applicant:

i. well(s) including purpose of each well;

ii. sewage facilities including septic tanks and drainfields;

iii. buildings on the site, including identification of Well connections;

iv. property lines and ownerships;

v. irrigated acres per lot or unit well(s); and

vi. means of conveyance, water right points of diversions, and surface water features.

3. Upon receipt of a completed application form complying with subsection (2) of this Section, the Office of the Engineer shall date stamp the application form.

4. The Engineer or Designee shall review the application within 45 days of the date stamped on the application pursuant to subsection (3) of this Section, and within that timeframe may either approve the application or return a defective application to the applicant, together with a written explanation of the defects. If a corrected application is submitted within 30 days of its return by the Office of the Engineer, no new filing fee shall be required. Upon receiving a corrected application, which shall be date stamped by the Office of the Engineer upon receipt, the Engineer or Designee has 30 days from the date stamped on the corrected application pursuant to this subsection (4) to approve or deny the application.

5. If the Engineer or Designee does not approve or return an application within 45 days of the date stamped on the application pursuant to subsection (3) of this Section, the application shall be deemed approved. If the Engineer or Designee does not approve or deny a corrected application within 30 days of the date stamped on this application pursuant to subsection (4) of this Section, the application shall be deemed approved.

6. Once an applicant meets the requirements of subsection (1) of this Section and the application is approved pursuant to subsection (4) or (5) of this Section, as applicable, the Engineer shall issue an authorization to develop the Appropriation Right for a Heating/Cooling Exchange Well.

7. An Appropriation Right for a Heating/Cooling Exchange Well becomes valid and final when, within 120 days of completing the Well(s) or Developed Spring(s) and putting the water to beneficial use, an Appropriator files a Heating/Cooling Exchange completion form accurately and completely. The completion form must also include a copy of the companion Well Log Report(s) for the extraction Well and the Injection Well.

8. If an Appropriation Right for a Heating/Cooling Exchange Well is revoked by the Board pursuant to the provisions of Section 3-1-112(3) of this Ordinance, or is determined to be abandoned pursuant to the provisions of Sections 2-1-111 and 2-1-112 of this Ordinance, or is voluntarily abandoned, the Appropriator shall, within 180 days of the revocation or voluntary abandonment, follow the well abandonment procedures, standards, and rules adopted by the board of water well contractors pursuant to 37-43-202, MCA, or any successor procedures, standards and rules that are promulgated in State law, for any Well associated with the revoked or abandoned Appropriation Right for a Heating/Cooling Exchange Well.

2-2-120. Temporary Emergency Appropriations.

1. A Temporary Emergency Appropriation may be made without prior approval from the Board, but the use must cease immediately when the water is no longer required to meet the emergency.

2. A Temporary Emergency Appropriation does not include the use of water for the ordinary operation and maintenance of any trade or business, including but not limited to agricultural production.

3. Within 60 days after the cessation of a Temporary Emergency Appropriation, the Appropriator shall notify the Board of the use to which the water was put, the dates of use, and the estimated amount of water used.

4. Except as set forth in subsection (5) of this Section, a Temporary Emergency Appropriation may not include the use of Enclosed Storage.

5. When the Temporary Emergency Appropriation is made by a local governmental fire agency organized under Title 7, chapter 33, MCA, or applicable Tribal law, and the Temporary Emergency Appropriation is used only for emergency fire protection, the Temporary Emergency Appropriation may include enclosed storage.

2-2-121. Short-term use of a portion of the Tribal Water Right for road construction or dust abatement. The Tribes, or a Person with the written consent of the Tribes, may use a portion of the Tribal Water Right for road construction or dust abatement purposes, without the prior approval of the Board, subject to the following provisions:

1. For uses of 20,000 gallons or less per day from a single source of supply, no notice is required;

2. For uses greater than 20,000 gallons per day and less than 60,000 gallons per day from a single source of supply, a notice must be posted at the site of the diversion or withdrawal for the entire period during which water is being diverted or withdrawn. The notice posted shall be clearly legible and visible and provide the following information:

a. source of water;

b. purpose of use;

c. starting and ending date of diversion;

d. place of use;

e. diversion flow rate;

f. maximum volume of water to be diverted or withdrawn per day; and

g. name and contact information for the user of the water and for the Board.

3. For uses greater than 60,000 gallons per day from a single source of supply, the Board must be notified at least 10 days but not more than 45 days in advance of the initial use of the water. Notice must be posted at the site of the diversion or withdrawal, as provided in subsection (2) of this Section. Notification to the Board must provide the following information:

a. source of water;

b. legal description of the point of diversion or withdrawal;

c. place of use;

d. map showing preceding three items;

e. purpose of use;

f. starting and ending date of use;

g. diversion flow rate;

h. maximum volume of water to be diverted or withdrawn per day; and

i. name and contact information for the user.

4. The diversion or withdrawal of water pursuant to this Section shall not adversely affect any legal use of water in existence as of the date of the diversion or withdrawal; and

5. If notified that the diversion or withdrawal of water pursuant to this Section is adversely affecting any legal use of water in existence as of the date of the diversion or withdrawal, the user will immediately cease diversion or withdrawal from that source of supply. To resume the diversion or withdrawal, the user may move the diversion or withdrawal to another source of supply, or may satisfy the Board and the holder(s) of the affected legal use(s) of water in existence as of the date of the diversion or withdrawal that use will not cause adverse effects.

2-2-122. Short-term use of an appropriation right that is not part of the Tribal Water Right for road construction or dust abatement.

1. An Appropriator may lease, for a term not to exceed 90 days, all or part of an Appropriation Right or Existing Use that is not part of the Tribal Water Right for road construction or dust abatement without the prior approval of the Board, subject to the requirements of this Section. The lease agreement must include the following information:

a. the name and address of the lessee;

b. the name of the owner of the Appropriation Right or Existing Use;

c. the number of the Appropriation Right or Existing Use;

d. the purpose of use of water for which the lease is being made;

e. the source of water to be appropriated;

f. the starting and ending date of the proposed use of water;

g. the proposed point of diversion;

h. the proposed place of use;

i. the diversion flow rate and volume of water to be used during the period of use; and

j. a description of how the prior use of water will be reduced to accommodate the temporary change of use of the Appropriation Right or Existing Use, including the number and location of acres to be removed from irrigation, if applicable.

2. A short-term lease of an Appropriation Right or Existing Use under this Section may not exceed 60,000 gallons a day or the amount of the Appropriation Right or Existing Use, whichever is less. Any combination of short-term leases cannot exceed 120,000 gallons a day for one project.

3. Except as provided in subsection (7) of this Section, the following information must be submitted to the Board at least 2 days prior to the use of water by a lessee under this Section:

a. a copy of the Publication notice or copies of the individual notice required under subsection (4) of this Section;

b. a copy of the lease agreement; and

c. for a combination of short-term leases greater than 60,000 gallons a day for one project, an analysis by the lessee of any potential adverse effects and a description of planned actions to mitigate any potential adverse effects to Appropriators in the area of the proposed point of diversion.

4. Except as provided in subsection (7) of this Section, the lessee of an Appropriation Right or Existing Use under this section shall, 30 days prior to the use of the water, publish a notice of the proposed use of water once in a newspaper of general circulation in the area of the diversion or mail individual notice to potentially affected Appropriators in the area of the proposed point of diversion. The published notice or the individual notice must contain the information listed in subsections (1)(a) through (1)(j) and (3)(c) of this Section.

5. Complaints regarding temporary use

a. an Appropriator, whether the water right is prior or subsequent in priority to the short-term lease acquired by a Person under this Section, who cannot satisfy in full the Appropriator’s right during the time that the short-term lessee is diverting water, may make a complaint to the Engineer pursuant to Section 3-1-102 of this Ordinance and cause the short-term lessee’s diversion to be discontinued.

b. the diversion is discontinued until the complaining Appropriator’s water right is satisfied or until the lessee establishes to the Engineer that the discontinuance has had no effect on the complaining Appropriator’s water right. Upon establishment that discontinuance has not had an effect, the Engineer shall enter an order allowing the diversion to continue.

6. This Section does not limit the remedies available to an Appropriator to enjoin or to seek damages from a Person appropriating water under this Section.

7. a. a consolidated city-county or a county or an incorporated city or town is not subject to the requirements of subsections (3)(a) and (4) of this Section when conducting dust abatement that was not scheduled or contracted for 30 days or more prior to the use of the water.

b. a consolidated city-county or a county or an incorporated city or town that does not publish notice as provided in subsection (4) of this Section shall post a copy of the lease agreement at the point of diversion at least 24 hours prior to and during the time that water is diverted.

2-2-123. Wetland Protective Appropriation Rights.

1. Pursuant to the provisions of Sections 2-2-101 et seq. of this Ordinance, a Wetland Protective Appropriation Right for a Natural Wetland or Restored Natural Wetland may be issued, subject to the following limitations:

a. except as authorized by Appropriation Rights issued pursuant to Section 1-1-107(1)(k) of this Ordinance, irrigation return flows may not be used as a source for an Appropriation Right issued pursuant to this Section.

b. No Wetland Protective Appropriation Right shall be issued for any Wetland using Pits, Pit-dams, or Constructed Ponds.

c. No Wetland Protective Appropriation Right shall be issued for any Wetland occurring solely as a result of seepage from irrigation reservoirs, canals, laterals or ditches.

d. No Wetland Protective Appropriation Right shall be used for any other purpose and shall not be changed to another purpose.

2. Wetlands eligible for Wetlands Protective Appropriation Rights are:

a. Those Wetlands identified on the map of Wetlands eligible for Wetlands Protective Appropriations Rights (available from the Office of the Engineer); or

b. Those Wetlands not identified on the Map if:

i. the proposed use is a Restored Natural Wetland;

ii. the applicant provides a site-specific Wetlands delineation, using any delineation method approved by the Engineer, that includes:

(1) the total number of acres and a detailed map showing the proposed boundary of the Wetland for which the Wetland Protective Appropriation Right is being applied; and

(2) an identification of the Wetlands delineation method used, along with supporting field data.

2-2-124. Wetland Quantified Appropriation Rights.

1. Pursuant to the provisions of Sections 2-2-101 et seq. of this Ordinance, an Appropriations Right or Change in Use authorization to divert, impound, or withdraw surface water or Groundwater for a Wetland purpose may be issued.

2. All Wetlands that utilize man-made diversions, impoundments, withdrawals, excavations, or other artificial means for the purposes of Appropriation for either all or a portion of a Wetland water supply in excess of a Natural Wetland water supply or Restored Natural Wetland water supply shall obtain, in advance of Appropriation, an Appropriation Right or Change in Use authorization for that Wetland purpose.

3. In addition to the information required by Sections 1-1-110 and 2-2-104 of this Ordinance, an application for an Appropriation Right or Change in Use authorization pursuant to this section shall include the following information:

a. A delineation of pre-project existing Wetlands and post-project Wetlands using a Wetland delineation method approved by the Engineer. The delineation shall describe the following pre-project and post-project Wetland attributes:

i. the outer Wetland boundary and area in acres;

ii. the boundaries of permanently inundated areas, depth in feet, and area in acres;

iii. the boundaries of seasonally inundated areas, period of inundation, depth in feet, and area in acres;

iv. the boundaries of permanently saturated areas and area in acres;

v. the boundaries of seasonally saturated areas, period of saturation, and area in acres; and

vi. Wetland vegetation boundaries and area in acres.

b. The location and description of the manmade diversions, impoundments; withdrawals, excavations, or other artificial means for the purposes of Appropriation;

c. The flow rate and volume of water to be appropriated in monthly time steps; however, the Office of the Engineer may require a more frequent quantification time step;

d. The consumptive volume for each Wetland attribute delineated pursuant to Section 2-2-124(a) of this Ordinance in monthly time steps; however, the Office of the Engineer may require a more frequent quantification time step;

e. non-consumed water, including flow rate and volume estimates, and a description of return flows and their eventual destination and timing; and

f. the volume of Natural Wetland water supply, if applicable, in monthly time steps.

2-2-125. Notice of Trust Status Conversion for Lands with Appurtenant Water Rights Arising Under State Law Acquired by the Tribes. As provided for by the Compact, Article III.H, the following process shall be used to notify the Water Management Board of the transfer of Tribally-owned fee land to trust status:

1. Starting upon the Effective Date of the Compact, the Tribes may file a Trust Transfer form with the Board for any lands acquired by the Tribes with appurtenant Water Rights Arising Under State Law that have been taken into trust by the United States on behalf of the Tribes.

2. A copy of the deed transferring the fee land to trust status shall be attached to the form.

2-2-126. Water Management Board Adjustment of Priority Date Pursuant to Compact. Upon submission of a Trust Transfer form by the Tribes, the priority date of any Water Rights Arising Under State Law appurtenant to land identified on the Trust Transfer form shall be adjusted by the Water Management Board to July 16, 1855. The Board shall cause the adjusted priority date to be entered into the Reservation water rights database identified in Section 1-1-108 of this Ordinance.

2-2-127. Tribal Utilization of Water Right with Adjusted Priority Date. Any water right whose priority date is adjusted pursuant to Section 2-2-126 of this Ordinance shall be subject to the following use conditions:

1. The water right must be used as historically used; or

2. Changes to the water right must be made pursuant to the provisions set for the in Article IV.B.4 of the Compact and Section 2-2-101 et seq. of this Law of Administration.

2-2-128. Public Water Supply Reporting Requirements

1. The following shall comply with the reporting requirements set forth in subsection (2) of this Section:

a. any new Public Water Supply System approved pursuant to this Ordinance;

b. any Public Water Supply System in existence prior to the effective date of this Ordinance whose authorized use is expanded pursuant to this Ordinance.

2. On an annual basis, any entity responsible for the operation of a Public Water Supply System identified in subsection (1) of this Section shall report to the Office of the Engineer the total volume by month of pumping or diversion of the Public Water Supply System.

CHAPTER III ENFORCEMENT

3-1-101. Scope

1. The enforcement powers set forth in this Chapter apply to the resolution of disputes between Appropriators who are not served by the Flathead Indian Irrigation Project, or between any Appropriators who are not served by the FIIP and any water user(s) or holders of Existing Rights, if any, whose use of water is served by the FIIP. Disputes exclusively between or among users whose water is delivered by the FIIP shall remain subject to the oversight of the Project Operator and the Enforcement provisions of this Ordinance shall not apply. The powers and duties set forth in this Chapter, as they extend to uses of the Tribal Water Right within the FIIP, extend only to the resolution of disputes concerning the delivery of water to FIIP diversion facilities and shall not extend to the administration of that water in FIIP facilities or on lands served by the FIIP, which shall remain subject to the oversight of the Project Operator.

2. Nothing in this Chapter, or in the Ordinance, is intended to preclude a water user from working informally with other water users, any Water Commissioner appointed pursuant to Section 3-1-114 of this Ordinance, or the Engineer, to resolve disputes or real-time water operation issues without recourse to the provisions of this Chapter. A synopsis of all such resolutions between a water user and any Water Commissioner or the Engineer shall be reduced to writing, and dated, a copy of which shall be kept in the Office of the Engineer and available for public inspection. A synopsis of any such resolution between or among water users may be reduced to writing. Provided, however, that any water user not party to any such informal resolution who believes himself or herself to be injured by the informal resolution may seek redress by invoking the provisions of this Chapter, subject to the limitation concerning FIIP water use set forth in subsection (1) of this Section, to challenge the informal resolution.

3. Any of the timeframes set forth in Sections 3-1-102 through 3-1-107 of this Ordinance may be extended upon mutual agreement of the parties to any dispute.

3-1-102. Complaint to the Engineer Regarding Actions or Inactions Between Appropriators.

1. Subject to the limitation concerning FIIP water use set forth in Section 3-1-101(1) of this Ordinance, any Appropriator aggrieved by the action or inaction of any other Appropriator, or by any Person the Complainant believes is Wasting water to the detriment of a right to use water the Complainant possesses, may file a Complaint with the Engineer. Such Complaint must be submitted in writing and describe specifically the action or inaction being complained of and the justification for the Complaint.

2. Upon receipt of a Complaint, the Office of the Engineer shall date stamp it and return a copy to the Complainant along with a written statement indicating that informal resolution of the dispute between the Appropriators, or between an Appropriator and a Person accused of Wasting water, may provide a more timely and cost-effective remedy than having the Complaint adjudicated by the Engineer.

3. Within 3 days of the receipt of the Complaint, the Office of the Engineer shall serve a copy of it on the Appropriator or other Person whose action or inaction is being complained of (the “Respondent”), and shall post notice of the Complaint on the Board’s website. The notice to the Respondent shall include a written statement indicating that informal resolution of the dispute between the Complainant and the Respondent may provide a more timely and cost-effective remedy than having the petition adjudicated by the Engineer.

3-1-103. Resolution of Complaint.

1. No later than 15 days after the provision of notice of the Complaint to the Respondent, pursuant to Section 3-1-102(3) of this Ordinance, the Engineer or Designee shall hold a hearing on the Complaint, provided, however that the Engineer or Designee may take an additional 10 days before holding the hearing to perform such independent investigation into the Complaint as the Engineer or Designee deems appropriate. At such time, both the Complainant and the Respondent shall explain their positions concerning the matter complained of. All evidence that, in the opinion of the Engineer or Designee, possesses probative value shall be admitted, including hearsay, if it is the type of evidence commonly relied upon by reasonably prudent Persons in the conduct of their normal business affairs. Rules of privilege recognized by law shall be given effect. Evidence which is irrelevant, immaterial, or unduly repetitious shall be excluded.

2. A decision by the Engineer or Designee on the Complaint shall be made in writing within 7 days after the completion of the hearing.

3. The decision of the Engineer or Designee may include an award of declaratory relief, and/or the imposition of conditions on the use or exercise of a water right. Such conditions may include, but are not limited to, instructions regarding the proper delivery of water, the installation of measuring devices, the construction of suitable ditches to carry the return waters from any ditch or lands to the main stream or proper waste way, or the mandate of structural changes to diversion structures.

4. Any Complainant or Respondent dissatisfied with the final decision of the Engineer or Designee may appeal to the Board (and become an Appellant) and obtain review of the Engineer’s or Designee’s decision. A notice of appeal to the Board must be received by the Board within 30 days of the issuance of the Engineer’s or Designee’s written decision. The decision of the Engineer or Designee shall not be stayed during the pendency of the appeal unless the Board expressly orders such a stay upon motion of the Complainant or Respondent.

3-1-104. Appeal to the Board.

1. Upon receipt of a notice of appeal pursuant to Section 3-1-103(4) of this Ordinance, or any other Section of this Ordinance that provides for appeal to the Board pursuant to the provisions of this Section, the Board, acting through the Office of the Engineer, shall date stamp the notice and return a copy to the Appellant. Within three days of receipt of the notice of appeal, the Board, acting through the Office of the Engineer, shall serve a copy of the notice of appeal on the other party to the dispute (who becomes the Appellee).

2. Either party to the appeal may elect to have oral argument prior to the resolution of the appeal. The Appellant must request oral argument at the time of the filing of the notice of appeal or the Appellant’s right to oral argument is waived. The Appellee must request oral argument within 10 days of the Appellee’s receipt of the notice of appeal pursuant to subsection (1) of this Section, or the Appellee’s right to oral argument is waived. If either party to the appeal requests oral argument, such argument must be held within 60 days of the filing of the notice of appeal, or within 30 days of the receipt of evidence or argument pursuant to subsection (3) or (4) of this Section, whichever date is later.

3. Within 60 days from the filing of the notice of appeal, or any extended period of time, not to exceed 60 days, granted by the Board, the Appellant and Appellee may each submit additional factual evidence and legal argument concerning the appeal to the Board and shall serve copies of the same on the other party to the dispute.

4. Either party to the appeal shall have 60 days from the date of receipt of the evidence or argument served pursuant to subsection (3) of this Section, or any extended period of time granted by the Board, not to exceed 60 days, to respond in writing to the evidence and argument submitted by the other party to the dispute pursuant to subsection (3) of this Section.

5. If oral argument is held, the argument shall be recorded electronically and an official record maintained.

6. A decision by the Board on the appeal shall be made in writing within 60 days after the completion of oral argument or, if the right to oral argument is waived, within 60 days after the deadline for the submission of evidence and argument pursuant to subsections (3) and (4) of this Section, whichever is later. The written decision shall set forth the ruling of the Board along with a statement of the reasons therefor.

7. In ruling on the appeal, the Board may sustain the decision of the Engineer or Designee, may overturn that decision and set aside any relief ordered by the Engineer or Designee, or may remand the matter to the Engineer or Designee for such further proceedings as may be specified in the Board’s written decision.

3-1-105. Petition to the Engineer by Any Appropriator Aggrieved by Actions or Inactions of a Water Commissioner.

1. Any Appropriator aggrieved by the action or inaction or written directive from any Water Commissioner appointed pursuant to Section 3-1-114 of this Ordinance, may petition the Engineer for relief (and become a Petitioner). Such petition must be submitted in writing and describe with particularity the action, inaction or directive giving rise to the petition and the justification for the petition.

2. Upon receipt of a petition, the Office of the Engineer shall date stamp it and return a copy to the Petitioner along with a written statement indicating that informal resolution of the dispute between the Petitioner and the Water Commissioner may provide a more timely and cost-effective remedy than having the petition adjudicated by the Engineer.

3. Within 3 days of the date stamped on the petition pursuant to subsection (2) of this Section, the Office of the Engineer shall serve a copy of it on the Water Commissioner whose action, inaction or written directive is being petitioned against, and shall post notice of the Petition on the Board’s website.

3-1-106. Resolution of Petition.

1. A Petitioner may elect to have the Petition decided on the record after submission of additional evidence and argument, or after hearing. If a Petitioner elects to have a hearing, that request must be made at the same time as the filing of the Petition or the right to a hearing is waived.

2. The Water Commissioner may elect to have the Petition decided after a hearing. The request for a hearing must be made within 5 days of the Water Commissioner’s receipt of notice of the Petition pursuant to Section 3-1-105(3) of this Ordinance or the Water Commissioner’s right to a hearing is waived.

3. If either the Petitioner or the Water Commissioner elects to have the Petition resolved after a hearing, the Engineer or Designee shall hold a hearing on the Petition no later than 14 days after the filing of the Petition, or within 14 days of the expiration of the time for the submission of evidence or argument pursuant to subsection (5) of this Section, whichever date is later; provided, however that the Engineer or Designee may take an additional 10 days before holding the hearing to perform such independent investigation into the petition as the Engineer or Designee deems appropriate.

4. Within 5 days from the filing of the Petition, or any extended period of time, not to exceed 5 days, granted by the Engineer, the Petitioner and Commissioner may each submit additional factual evidence and legal argument concerning the Petition to the Engineer or Designee and shall serve copies of the same on the other party to the dispute.

5. Either party to the dispute shall have 5 days from the date of receipt of the evidence or argument served pursuant to subsection (4) of this Section, or any extended period of time granted by the Engineer or Designee, not to exceed 5 days, to respond in writing to the evidence and argument submitted by the other party to the dispute pursuant to subsection (4) of this Section.

6. The Petitioner shall bear the burden of proof before the Engineer or Designee.

7. The hearing shall be recorded electronically and an official record maintained. All evidence that, in the opinion of the Engineer or Designee, possesses probative value shall be admitted, including hearsay, if it is the type of evidence commonly relied upon by reasonably prudent Persons in the conduct of their normal business affairs. Rules of privilege recognized by law shall be given effect. Evidence which is irrelevant, immaterial, or unduly repetitious shall be excluded.

8. A decision by the Engineer or Designee on the Petition shall be made in writing within 7 days after the completion of the hearing or, if the right to a hearing is waived, within 7 days after the deadline for the submission of evidence and argument pursuant to subsections (4) and (5) of this Section, whichever is later. If the individual who conducted the hearing becomes unavailable to the Office of the Engineer, a decision may be prepared by an individual who has read the record only if the demeanor of witnesses is considered immaterial by all parties; if any party considers the demeanor of any witness to be material to the resolution of the petition, a new hearing must be held.

9. The decision of the Engineer or Designee may include an award of declaratory relief, and/or the imposition of conditions on the use or exercise of an Appropriation Right or Existing Use. Such conditions may include, but are not limited to, the installation of measuring devices, the construction of suitable ditches to carry the return waters from any ditch or lands to the main stream or proper waste way, or the mandate of structural changes to diversion structures.

10. Any Petitioner or Commissioner dissatisfied with the final decision of the Engineer or Designee may appeal to the Board (and become an Appellant) and obtain review of the Engineer’s or Designee’s decision. A notice of appeal to the Board must be received by the Board within 30 days of the issuance of the Engineer’s or Designee’s written decision.

3-1-107. Appeal to the Board from a Decision on a Petition. The process for appeal to the Board of the Engineer’s or Designee’s decision on a Petition shall be as set forth in Section 3-1-104 of this Ordinance.

3-1-108. Appeal from a Decision of the Board. The process for appeal from a decision of the Board issued pursuant to Section 3-1-104 of this Ordinance shall be as set forth in Section 2-2-112 of this Ordinance.

3-1-109. Emergency Enforcement Powers of the Engineer. In an Emergency, the Engineer, or any Staff who is so directed by the Engineer, or any Water Commissioner appointed pursuant to Section 3-1-114 of this Ordinance, shall have the authority to lock, remove, render inoperative, shut down, close, seal, cap, modify, or otherwise control methods of diversions and withdrawals, and obstructions to the flow of water, subject to expedited appeal to the Board by the affected Person, as provided in Section 3-1-110 of this Ordinance.

3-1-110. Additional Enforcement Powers of the Engineer.

1. The Engineer, or any Staff who is so directed by the Engineer, or any Water Commissioner appointed pursuant to Section 3-1-114 of this Ordinance, may enter upon lands on the Reservation with reasonable notice to the owner or occupant, to investigate and inspect methods of diversion, withdrawal, and other activities affecting water quantity, to install measuring devices at the expense of the water user on surface and Groundwater diversions for the purpose of enforcing and administering this Ordinance, to monitor water use, water quality, and diversion structures.

2. The Engineer, or any Staff who is so directed by the Engineer, or any Water Commissioner appointed pursuant to Section 3-1-114 of this Ordinance, may take action to prevent the Illegal use of water, including, but not limited to the temporary decommissioning of head gates or other diversion Works.

3. The Engineer may issue written notices of violation to Appropriators and to Illegal users of water for violations of this Ordinance or of the terms and conditions of any Appropriation Right or Existing Use or of any lawful order of the Engineer or the Board or any action or directive of any Water Commissioner appointed pursuant to Section 3-1-114 of this Ordinance.

4. Any notice issued pursuant to subsection (3) of this Section shall specify the particular violation or violations, the step(s) to be taken to come into compliance, and identify a reasonable time frame within which such steps are to be taken.

5. In the event of non-compliance with any written notice issued pursuant to subsection (3) of this Section within the specified time frame, the Engineer may move the Board to exercise its powers pursuant to Sections 3-1-112 and 3-1-113 of this Ordinance.

6. Upon receipt of any written recommendation, pursuant to Section 3-1-115(3) of this Ordinance, from any Water Commissioner, the Engineer or Designee may reject the recommendation or may issue notice of intent to hold a hearing to determine whether the imposition of such conditions identified in the recommendation is warranted. The process for the consideration and resolution of any such matter shall be as set forth in Sections 3-1-105 through 3-1-108 of this Ordinance, with the recommendation being treated as a petition, the Water Commissioner as the Petitioner and the affected water user(s) as Respondent(s).

3-1-111. Expedited Appeal to the Board in the Event of Certain Actions by the Engineer.

1. Any Appropriator whose use of water is affected by an action taken pursuant to Section 3-1-109 or 3-1-110(2) of this Ordinance may file a written notice of appeal with the Board (and become an Appellant). The notice of appeal must describe with particularity the action being appealed and the justification for the appeal.

2. The Board must immediately notify the Engineer of the filing of a notice of appeal pursuant to subsection (1) of this Section, and must hear the appeal within 10 days of the notice of appeal being filed.

3. If the Board finds in favor of the Appellant, it may award appropriate relief, including declaratory relief, but not monetary penalties against the Office of the Engineer or any employee thereof, including any Water Commissioner appointed pursuant to Section 3-1-114 of this Ordinance, acting in either their professional or personal capacities.

3-1-112. Additional Enforcement Powers of the Board. Upon motion by the Engineer, and after notice to any affected Appropriator and the opportunity for all parties to be heard, the Board may:

1. Impose fines, as set forth in Section 3-1-113 of this Ordinance.

2. Impose conditions on the future use of any Appropriation Right to prevent further violation, but only upon a finding that the holder of any such Appropriation Right is violating or has violated any provision of that Appropriation Right, or is violating or has violated any order issued by the Engineer or any directive of any Water Commissioner appointed pursuant to Section 3-1-114 of this Ordinance concerning the use of that permit. The process for appeal from any Board decision imposing conditions pursuant to this Section shall be as set forth in Section 2-2-112 of this Ordinance.

3. Revoke or suspend any Appropriation Right, but only upon a finding that the holder of any such Appropriation Right is willfully violating or has willfully violated any provision of that Appropriation Right, or is willfully violating or has willfully violated any order issued by the Engineer concerning the use of that Appropriation Right. The process for appeal from any Board decision revoking or suspending a permit shall be as set forth in Section 2-2-112 of this Ordinance.

3-1-113. Fines.

1. The Board, pursuant to the provisions of this Section, may impose a fine not to exceed $1,000 per violation on any Person who fails to comply with the provisions of this Ordinance, including any written order of the Board or Engineer or written directive of any Water Commissioner.

2. If a Person is using water under the color of law, fines may only be imposed commencing on the day after the resolution of any appeal from the written order of the Board or Engineer or action or written directive of any Water Commissioner whose violation gives rise to the proposed imposition of fines, or the deadline for filing an appeal if no appeal is filed, after receipt of a written notice of violation pursuant to Section 3-1-111(2) of this Ordinance.

3. If a Person is using water Illegally, the Board may impose fines on that Person at any time commencing from the date of that Person’s receipt of the notice of violation from the Engineer pursuant to section 3-1-111(3)(a) of this Ordinance, if the Illegal use is not ceased immediately upon receipt of the notice of violation.

4. Each day of violation constitutes a separate violation.

5. The process for appeal from any Board decision imposing fines pursuant to this Section shall be as set forth in Section 2-2-112 of this Ordinance.

3-1-114. Appointment of Water Commissioners. Pursuant to Article IV.I.5.d of the Compact, the Board may appoint one or more Water Commissioners to provide day-to-day administration of water on the Reservation. The appointment shall specify the geographic area for which the commissioner shall have responsibility.

3-1-115. Powers and Duties of Water Commissioners. Subject to the jurisdictional limitation set forth in Article IV.I.5.d.ii of the Compact and Section 3-1-101(1) of this Ordinance, any Water Commissioner appointed pursuant to Section 3-1-114 of this Ordinance:

1. Shall, consistent with the terms and conditions of the Compact, the federal legislation ratifying the Compact, this Ordinance, and the terms of all applicable Appropriation Rights and Existing Uses, distribute water in the proper priority;

2. Shall, as near as may be practicable, divide, regulate and control the use of the water of all streams, springs, lakes or other sources of water within that Water Commissioner’s district to prevent the Waste of water or its use in excess of the volume to which any Appropriator is lawfully entitled, including through the opening and closing of headgates. Whenever a Water Commissioner regulates a headgate to a ditch or the controlling Works of reservoirs, it shall be that Water Commissioner’s duty to attach to such headgate or controlling Works a written notice, properly dated and signed, setting forth the fact that such headgate or controlling Works has been properly regulated and is wholly under the Water Commissioner’s control and such notice shall be a legal notice to all parties interested in the division and distribution of the water of such ditch or reservoir;

3. Shall notify the Engineer in writing of the non-compliance of any water user with a prior order of the Engineer or the Board or any prior written directive of that Water Commissioner issued pursuant to subsection (4) of this Section;

4. May issue written directives to any Appropriator, or any Illegal user of water, concerning day-to-day actions that must be taken to facilitate the execution of the duties of that Water Commissioner as set forth in subsections (1) and (2) of this Section; and

5. May recommend to the Engineer, in writing, conditions to be placed on the exercise of any Appropriation Right or Existing Use on the Reservation, including the requirement of measuring devices and the necessity of structural changes to diversion or other structures. The Water Commissioner shall serve copies of any such written recommendation on the Appropriator(s) whose Appropriation Right(s) or Existing Use(s) are referenced in the recommendation.

3-1-116. Recourse from Water Commissioner Decisions. Any Person who may be injured by the action or inaction of a Water Commissioner has the right to petition the Engineer pursuant to the provisions of Section 3-1-105 of this Ordinance.

3-1-117. Removal of Water Commissioners. Water Commissioners shall serve at the pleasure of the Board and may be removed by unanimous vote of the Board at any time.

History: En. Sec. 2, Ch. 294, L. 2015.