# Mont. Code Ann. § 85-2-301: 85-2-301 Right to appropriate -- recognition and confirmation of permits issued after July 1, 1973

> Montana · Statutes · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MT_T85_C2_P3_S85-2-301

## Section

- **Citation:** Mont. Code Ann. § 85-2-301
- **Heading:** 85-2-301 Right to appropriate -- recognition and confirmation of permits issued after July 1, 1973
- **Jurisdiction:** Montana
- **Kind:** Statutes
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** MT Code / Title 85 / Chapter 2 / Part 3 / Section 85-2-301

## Text

85-2-301 . Right to appropriate -- recognition and confirmation of permits issued after July 1, 1973. (1) After July 1, 1973, a person may not appropriate water except as provided in this chapter. A person may appropriate water only for a beneficial use.

(2) (a) Only the department may appropriate water by permit for transport outside the following river basins:

(i) the Clark Fork River and its tributaries to its confluence with Lake Pend Oreille in Idaho;

(ii) the Kootenai River and its tributaries to its confluence with Kootenay Lake in British Columbia;

(iii) the St. Mary River and its tributaries to its confluence with the Oldman River in Alberta;

(iv) the Little Missouri River and its tributaries to its confluence with Lake Sakakawea in North Dakota;

(v) the Missouri River and its tributaries to its confluence with the Yellowstone River in North Dakota; and

(vi) the Yellowstone River and its tributaries to its confluence with the Missouri River in North Dakota.

(b) The department may lease water subject to this subsection (2) under the provisions of 85-2-141 .

(3) A right to appropriate water may not be acquired by any other method, including by adverse use, adverse possession, prescription, or estoppel. The method prescribed by this chapter is exclusive.

(4) All permit actions of the department after July 1, 1973, are recognized and confirmed subject to this part and any terms, conditions, and limitations placed on a permit by the department.

(5) Pursuant to 85-20-1902 , the provisions of this section do not apply within the exterior boundaries of the Flathead Indian reservation.

## Nearby sections

- [Mont. Code Ann. § 85-2-301 85-2-301 Right to appropriate -- recognition and confirmation of permits issued after July 1, 1973](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MT_T85_C2_P3_S85-2-301.md)
- [Mont. Code Ann. § 85-2-302 85-2-302 Application for permit or change in appropriation right](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MT_T85_C2_P3_S85-2-302.md)
- [Mont. Code Ann. § 85-2-303 85-2-303 Permit for conversion of nonproductive oil or gas well](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MT_T85_C2_P3_S85-2-303.md)
- [Mont. Code Ann. § 85-2-304 85-2-304 Appropriation by state board of land commissioners](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MT_T85_C2_P3_S85-2-304.md)
- [Mont. Code Ann. § 85-2-305 85-2-305 Appropriation permit for reservoir](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MT_T85_C2_P3_S85-2-305.md)
- [Mont. Code Ann. § 85-2-306 85-2-306 Exceptions to permit requirements](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MT_T85_C2_P3_S85-2-306.md)
- [Mont. Code Ann. § 85-2-307 85-2-307 Notice of receipt of application for permit or change in appropriation right -- draft preliminary determination -- extensions -- updated draft preliminary determination -- public comments -- issuance of preliminary determination](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MT_T85_C2_P3_S85-2-307.md)
- [Mont. Code Ann. § 85-2-308 85-2-308 Objections](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MT_T85_C2_P3_S85-2-308.md)
- [Mont. Code Ann. § 85-2-309 85-2-309 Hearings on objections -- jurisdiction](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MT_T85_C2_P3_S85-2-309.md)
- [Mont. Code Ann. § 85-2-310 85-2-310 Action on application for permit or change in appropriation right](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MT_T85_C2_P3_S85-2-310.md)
- [Mont. Code Ann. § 85-2-311 85-2-311 Criteria for issuance of permit](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MT_T85_C2_P3_S85-2-311.md)
- [Mont. Code Ann. § 85-2-312 85-2-312 Terms of permit](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MT_T85_C2_P3_S85-2-312.md)
- [Mont. Code Ann. § 85-2-313 85-2-313 Provisional permit](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MT_T85_C2_P3_S85-2-313.md)
- [Mont. Code Ann. § 85-2-314 85-2-314 Revocation or modification of permit or change in appropriation right](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MT_T85_C2_P3_S85-2-314.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MT_T85_C2_P3_S85-2-301. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.