Montana Title 85. Water Use § 85-7-1006. Court's authority at hearing

(1) At the hearing by said court it shall determine the regularity, legality, and correctness of all proceedings and in so doing shall disregard any error, irregularity, or omission which does not affect the substantial rights of the parties. The rules of pleading and practice in Title 25 not inconsistent with the provisions of this part are made applicable to the proceedings herein provided. The proceedings herein are declared to be for the general interest of the public and state. The hearing upon said petition shall be considered as an equitable action in rem.

(2) If the court shall consider, after hearing, that the plan proposed in the petition is not in the public interest and will not promote public welfare or is unfair to bondholders or property holders or general creditors, it may allow the petitioners to amend their petition and to submit a modified or different plan and hear the amended petition and hear and dispose of objections to the same. The judgment may dissolve the district as a public corporation; transfer water rights appurtenant to lands, whether represented by shares of stock or otherwise; and divest the lien of bonds upon lands in the district.