News Summary
Crazy Mountain Ranch has acknowledged violating Montana water laws by irrigating its golf course without permits. As the ranch negotiates with the DNRC to avoid penalties, it has temporarily stopped using water from Rock Creek and is truckin in water. Local irrigators express concern over the unauthorized diversion, leading to multiple complaints. The situation is being evaluated by the DNRC, which has outlined potential consequences for non-compliance.
Livingston, Montana – Crazy Mountain Ranch has admitted to violating Montana water laws by irrigating its golf course without the required permits. This admission came in a recent court filing as the ranch seeks to negotiate an agreement with the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC) to avoid penalties.
The ranch’s general manager issued an apology for prematurely starting the irrigation process, which it began last June on its 112-acre golf course, which includes 35 acres of newly laid turf. As a result of this unauthorized irrigation, the DNRC is pursuing a temporary restraining order and civil remedies against Crazy Mountain Ranch.
A District Court hearing regarding the DNRC’s requests has been scheduled for July 28 in Livingston. The state’s legal action stems from the discovery that Crazy Mountain Ranch began watering its golf course without obtaining appropriate permits, thus breaching the Montana Water Use Act.
On July 18, Judge Matthew Wald temporarily ordered the ranch to cease irrigation activities. Ranch representatives argued that the urgent need to water the course was a means to protect their investment in the costly turf imported from Idaho. They also alleged that delays in issuing permits and excessive paperwork from the DNRC contributed to their inability to comply with regulations.
In violation of state laws, Crazy Mountain Ranch began diverting water illegally from Rock Creek for the purpose of irrigating the golf course. This diversion has provoked significant frustration among local irrigators, resulting in 15 complaints filed against the ranch.
To address the situation, Crazy Mountain Ranch has arranged to truck in up to 100,000 gallons of water weekly from a local water plant while working to secure the necessary water permits. Following a consent decree filed on July 25, the ranch has agreed to refrain from using water from Rock Creek for irrigation. However, they will continue to apply purchased water as they await DNRC approval for their water rights application.
Under the terms of the consent decree, Crazy Mountain Ranch is required to submit weekly reports of water usage to the DNRC and grant the department access to conduct inspections of the golf course. In a further concession, the DNRC has agreed to waive penalties unless the terms of the consent decree are violated. Should non-compliance occur, fines could reach up to $1,000 per day.
Crazy Mountain Ranch is part of an expansive 18,000-acre property that is developed for member-only recreational use. The ranch’s activities have raised alarms among local ranchers, who are concerned that improper water diversion could endanger their water supply and threaten their livelihoods.
The DNRC is currently investigating the complaints lodged by local irrigators regarding the unauthorized use of water. If the DNRC eventually approves the ranch’s applications for water permits, the state has agreed to dismiss its injunction against the ranch. Conversely, if the applications are denied, the injunction will remain in place, preventing the ranch from utilizing the contested water rights.
The situation has heightened tensions in the Shields River Valley, an area historically characterized by water disputes and limited water resources. The competitive diversion of water for various uses has drawn substantial scrutiny and criticism, with local ranchers indicating that the luxury development of Crazy Mountain Ranch threatens their agricultural water needs.
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Additional Resources
- KBZK: DNRC Files Lawsuit Against Crazy Mountain Ranch
- Wikipedia: Water Law
- NBC Montana: Golf Course Sparks Water Rights Clash
- Google Search: Montana Water Rights
- KBZK: Rising Tensions at Crazy Mountain Ranch
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Water Right
- NBC Montana: DNRC Files Cease and Desist Against Crazy Mountain Ranch
- Google Scholar: Montana Water Law
Author: STAFF HERE INDIANAPOLIS WRITER
INDIANAPOLIS STAFF WRITER The INDIANAPOLIS STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREIndianapolis.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Indianapolis, Marion County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Indianapolis 500, Indy Jazz Fest, and the Indiana State Fair. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Indy Chamber and Visit Indy, plus leading businesses in motorsports and healthcare that power the local economy such as Indianapolis Motor Speedway and IU Health. As part of the broader HERE network, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Indiana's dynamic landscape.
