Montana Title 85. Water Use § 85-9-204. Feasibility study and report--adjustment of proposed boundaries

After the hearing, the applicants or any one of them may request the department to prepare a detailed feasibility study of the proposed district. If the department concludes that the proposed district is feasible, desirable, and consistent with the state water plan, it shall prepare a feasibility report and, within 1 year after receipt of the request, send copies to the applicants, if any, the department of fish, wildlife, and parks, the department of environmental quality, and other affected state and federal water resource agencies. For good cause shown, based upon the actual technical problems in completing the report, the department may use necessary additional time to complete and distribute the report. The detailed feasibility report must describe the proposed works and contain an estimate of the cost of the works, the means of financing, and the estimated costs of operation and maintenance. The department may adjust the boundaries of the proposed district to improve the feasibility, desirability, and consistency with the state water plan and to exclude land that would receive no direct or indirect benefits from the proposed district.