Montana Title 85. Water Use § 85-8-201. Dissolution of districts

Whenever the owners of more than one-half of the lands within any drainage district organized under the provisions of this chapter shall present to the district court having jurisdiction of the drainage district a petition signed by them, praying that such drainage district be dissolved, the judge of the court shall cause notice of such petition, together with a copy of the petition, to be served upon the commissioners of the district, directing them to show cause on a day certain, not less than 15 or more than 30 days from the date of the filing of the petition, why the petition should not be granted. The judge, at the time of receiving the petition, shall make an order forbidding the commissioners from incurring any further expense or proceeding with the work of constructing a drain. On the day of hearing the court shall hear the same, and if it appears that the owners of more than one-half of the lands in the drainage district have signed the petition, it shall be granted. Thereupon, the court shall make an order directing the commissioners to file a written report, under oath, setting forth the amount of the debts and obligations of the drainage district. Within 30 days after such report is filed, the court shall cause an assessment to be levied against all lands in the district on the basis of the final report of the commissioners, as confirmed by the court, and if no final report has been made, then on an area basis. The court shall also enter judgment dissolving the district and authorize the commissioners to settle the business of the district on the basis of the final report of the commissioners or on the area basis as confirmed by this court, the commissioners to render their services for same without pay.