Montana News Roundup: Will This Law Solve Water Fights?

Montana DNRC is estimating that a new measure signed into law this week by Governor Gianforte could clear a backlog and provide "certainty" for thousands of water permits across the state.

Gianforte signed House Bill 441 during a visit with other elected leaders to Fort Benton.

The change is aimed at "provisional" water permits and "change authorizations". It will remove the "provisional" status so they become full certificates with the same "weight" as an adjudicated water right.

That doesn't necessarily mean there's more water available, as supplies continue to be tight in many basins. DNRC Director Amanda Kaster says it will improve due process for both pre-1973 water rights and the provisional permits since then.

    💧 Montana DNRC estimates that the new law will provide certainty for approximately 12,000 permits and 4,900 change authorizations.

Warm water means more Western MT fishing closures

Cold water is becoming scarce in many Western Montana river this week, with another round of "hoot owl" fishing restrictions announced yesterday. New rivers on the restricted list today include all of Silver Bow Creek near Butte, the Upper Bitterroot from Conner downstream past Hamilton, the Upper Clark Fork down to the mouth of the Blackfoot and Upper Rock Creek, from the confluence of the West and Middle Forks to the mouth of Stoney Creek 

Restrictions also took effect on additional southwest Montana rivers, and the Smith River yesterday.

Shelby woman faces prison time for helping illegal immigrants

A Shelby woman is found guilty in federal court in Great Falls for harboring illegal immigrants.

Prosecutors say 41-year-old Kristin Louise Mitchell was first implicated during a traffic stop by MHP in Gallatin County for having phony license plates. She was cited, and an agent at the Sweetgrass entry station flagged the same vehicle 4 days later. The next week, she was stopped by a Toole County deputy for failing to stop, and authorities say that's when they contacted two non-English-speaking men who were with her. Prosecutors say she claimed to pair were "political asylum seekers" from Venezuela.

One man claimed he'd been working construction in Bozeman. But authorities say the pair, and a third suspect, had been staying with Mitchell at her home in Shelby.

     Because one had a previous weapons violation, prosecutors say Mitchell faces 5 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

Illegal apprehensions are climbing in Montana

The number of illegal immigrants apprehended since this year's crackdown continues to climb in Montana, with the total passing 50 in just a matter of months.

4-more people were sentenced this week for illegal re-entry, or carrying false documents, after being apprehended during traffic stops in North Central Montana, and aboard a train in Havre.

READ MORE: An Emerging Problem with Fake Immigration Docs in MT

Respected attorney and lawmaker nominated for federal judge

Former U.S. Attorney for Montana, Bill Mercer, is being nominated to serve as a U.S. District Court Judge here in Montana. President Trump announced on social media yesterday.

Mercer is well-respected in the legal and legislative community. He served as the attorney for the Montana District after being selected by President Bush from 2001-to-2009. He was first elected to the Montana House for District 46 in 2018, moving over to District 52, where he was re-elected last year, serving in this past session. His term would have ended in 2027, so GOP leaders will have to select a replacement.

     It's expected he'll replace Judge Susan Waters in Billings when she retires next June.

New future for popular mountain lodge

The new owners of the Holland Lake Lodge are hoping to re-open the facility next year, after the U.S. Forest Service formally transferred a new special-use permit last week. 

The Flathead Beacon reports that the Forest Service permit, which was verbally approved in May, will give Holland Peak LLC permission to operate the resort within its current footprint for the next 20 years. They'll have five years to develop a new Master Plan. 

An earlier proposal from a different development group roiled residents, elected officials, and user groups three years ago because it involved expansion of the resort in the Seeley-Swan. 

Big times in Butte this weekend

One of the state's biggest musical events of the year, the Montana Folk Festival officially gets underway this evening in Butte.  This annual event is free to the public, although a $25 per person or $35 per family donation is suggested to keep the event running for years to come.  Opening ceremonies are set for 6:30 at the Original Mineyard Stage with music from all sorts of genres and walks of life going well into the evening and through Sunday night.