Montana Title 85. Water Use § 85-8-121. Court determination

(1) If the court or presiding judge, after hearing any and all competent evidence that may be offered for and against the petition for the creation of the district, finds that the petition has not been signed as required in this part, the petition must be dismissed at the cost of the petitioners and judgment must be entered against the petitioners for the amount of the costs.

(2) If it appears that the petition has been signed as required in this part, the court or judge shall so find and order any necessary amendments to the petition, shall divide the district into three divisions, as nearly equal in area as possible, and shall appoint three suitable and competent persons as commissioners and fix their temporary bonds. One commissioner must be appointed from each division, and each person appointed must be an actual landowner and resident of the county or counties in the division for which the person is appointed. If the district is situated in two or more counties, not more than two of the commissioners may reside in one of the counties. Ownership of land within the district may not disqualify a person from acting as a commissioner.